Is it mandatory to use 95 octane gasoline for the Magotan?
2 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Magotan must use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be marked. Generally, 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 some new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. High compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower octane gasoline because, apart from the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally speaking, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane number, 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 the Magotan 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, using higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number will change the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the fuel's ignition point decreases, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If detonation occurs before the spark plug ignites, resistance will appear during the upward stroke. This resistance will make the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise without significant damage to the engine. However, if noticeable knocking occurs, it indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.
Having driven for over a decade, I've always paid attention to fuel selection. As a mid-to-high-end Volkswagen model, the Magotan's official manual clearly specifies the recommendation of 95-octane gasoline due to its high engine compression ratio and turbocharging system being optimized for high-octane fuel. Using 92-octane fuel might not show immediate issues in the short term, but long-term use increases the risk of engine knocking, affects engine lifespan, may cause knock sensor misjudgments, and raises maintenance costs. Fuel consumption might also be slightly higher with less responsive power delivery. I strictly use 95-octane fuel myself, choosing reputable gas stations to avoid impurities, combined with regular fuel system cleaning. The vehicle runs as smoothly as ever, providing peace of mind on long trips and helping maintain its resale value.
