Is It Embarrassing for Lynk & Co to Use 95 Octane Gasoline?

[DeCarlos]

According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, Lynk & Co should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, Lynk & Co owners can also find this information on the fuel tank cap, which is usually labeled. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane gasoline. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the required gasoline grade. Even high-compression engines can be tuned to use lower-octane gasoline. This is because factors other than compression ratio also play a role, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane number, the higher the octane value and the better the anti-knock performance. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If a Lynk & Co vehicle occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower-octane gasoline, accidentally using higher-octane gasoline will not cause damage. However, the increased octane value alters the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This results in reduced engine power and thermal efficiency, with the practical effect being poorer performance. For vehicles recommended to use higher-octane gasoline, using lower-octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Due to the significantly lower octane value, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites during the compression stroke, resistance will arise during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise without obvious damage to the engine. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.