Is 97 gasoline now 98?
2 Answers
No, 98 gasoline is fuel whose octane rating equals a mixture of 98% isooctane and 2% n-heptane. Below are relevant details about 98 gasoline: 1. Advantages: 98 gasoline boasts "two highs and two lows" - higher anti-knock performance and power output, while containing lower harmful substances and producing less exhaust pollution. 2. Suitable vehicles: Due to its high octane rating and premium price, 98 gasoline is predominantly used by luxury vehicles and is often called "premium gasoline". It's also defined as suitable for gasoline-powered vehicles with engine compression ratios above 11.6. Note: Higher gasoline grades aren't necessarily better; always follow the manufacturer's recommended fuel grade specified in the vehicle manual.
Driving a car means I have to refuel every day. I used to wonder if 97-octane gasoline has now become 98-octane, but later I figured out that's not the case. 97-octane gasoline has an octane rating of 97, while 98-octane has a rating of 98—they are two different grades, just like different models of smartphones. At gas stations, you can usually choose between 92, 95, and 98-octane. 97-octane might still be used in some older gasoline brands, but it hasn’t been replaced by 98-octane. Higher octane fuel has better anti-knock properties and is suitable for high-performance engines. However, if your car’s manual recommends 95-octane, using 98-octane would be a waste of money and might not even provide any benefits. I’ve met people who were confused about this, probably because some gas stations upgraded their labeling, but the fuel itself didn’t change. Using the wrong fuel can cause engine knocking or higher fuel consumption. Always check the label on the fuel pump before refueling to avoid unnecessary trouble.
