Does Using 98 Octane Fuel Make the Car More Powerful?
2 Answers
In terms of fuel quality, composition, carbon deposit levels, and purity, there is no evidence to support the claim that using 98 octane gasoline makes a car more powerful. Below is relevant information about gasoline usage: 1. Reasons: Using lower octane fuel in a high-octane-requiring vehicle can severely affect engine performance, leading to knocking, and in serious cases, reduce engine lifespan and increase maintenance costs. Conversely, using higher octane fuel in a low-octane-requiring vehicle may result in incomplete combustion, leading to fuel wastage. For vehicle safety, it is best to use the recommended fuel grade. 2. Special Cases: Gasoline is a mixture, and the octane rating refers to its anti-knock index (i.e., octane number). Strictly speaking, 98 octane and 95 octane gasoline should not be mixed. However, since their chemical compositions and other aspects are quite similar and both have strong anti-knock properties, mixing them generally does not cause significant issues. Nonetheless, for vehicle safety, it is still advisable to use them separately.
I've been driving for over ten years, mainly a Volkswagen Golf GTI, which has a bit of a performance orientation. To be honest, using 98-octane gasoline does feel noticeably more powerful, especially during high-speed acceleration—the throttle response is sharper without any hesitation. The principle is that higher-octane fuel has better anti-knock properties, reducing engine knock and allowing for more precise ignition timing. However, this effect is only noticeable in high-compression or turbocharged engines; regular family cars might not see any difference. I tried using 98-octane in a Toyota Corolla, and the performance remained largely unchanged—just a waste of money. With fuel prices soaring now, 95-octane is significantly cheaper, so I only opt for 98-octane on weekend road trips. Occasional use is fine, but frequent use isn’t cost-effective—better to maintain the engine regularly to preserve performance. Remember, each car’s manual has different recommendations, so don’t blindly follow trends.
