Is 98 More Durable Than 95?
3 Answers
98-octane gasoline is not necessarily more durable than 95-octane. A higher octane rating does not mean better gasoline quality, as there is no direct correlation between gasoline octane ratings and fuel quality. Below are the relevant details: 1. The octane rating of gasoline only represents its octane value. Both 95-octane and 98-octane gasoline are high-octane fuels. Compared to 95-octane, 98-octane gasoline has an octane value that is 3 units higher. Increasing the octane value of unleaded gasoline by even one unit requires greater technical difficulty and higher processing costs. Therefore, high-octane gasoline is priced higher than low-octane gasoline. 2. Different engines use gasoline with different octane ratings, primarily determined by the engine's compression ratio. Generally, engines with a compression ratio above 8.0 should use 92-octane gasoline; those above 9.0 should use 95-octane gasoline, and engines with a compression ratio above 10.0 should use 98-octane gasoline.
I'm a truck driver with over 20 years of experience, often hauling cargo over long distances, so I know a thing or two about gasoline. The numbers 98 and 95 refer to the octane rating of the gasoline. 98 has better anti-knock properties, meaning it's less prone to knocking under high temperature and pressure, which can protect the engine, especially turbocharged ones, and in the long run, it might reduce engine wear, making it more 'durable' in terms of maintenance. But when it comes to the fuel's own durability, like how long a tank of gas lasts, I've tried 98 a few times on the highway and it didn't burn much slower than 95. Fuel consumption mainly depends on your driving habits and the condition of your car, not the octane rating. 98 is more expensive, so for regular cars, I recommend just using 95 as per the manual—no need to spend extra unless your car has special requirements.
As an ordinary office worker who commutes by car daily while trying to save expenses, fuel costs are a major concern. I've compared 98 and 95 octane fuels - 98 has higher octane rating and better anti-knock properties, theoretically offering longer engine protection. But for regular family cars like my economy model, 95 octane is perfectly adequate. Using 98 doesn't necessarily make the fuel last longer or improve fuel efficiency. In actual tests, the average fuel consumption per kilometer with 98 octane was similar to 95, with just a few cents difference, but the total cost was higher. The key is to follow the vehicle manual's recommendation and avoid arbitrarily using higher octane fuels. Durability isn't just about fuel lifespan but also engine health - from an economic standpoint, 95 octane offers better cost performance.
