Is it necessary to use 95 octane gasoline for the first few times with a new car?
3 Answers
If it is a car with a turbocharged engine, it is necessary to use gasoline with an octane rating of 95 or higher (including 95). If it is a car with a naturally aspirated engine, 92 octane gasoline is sufficient. Below are the relevant details: 1. Gasoline standards: 93/97 octane gasoline adopts the National IV production standard, while 92 and 95 octane gasoline adopt the National V standard, which is more environmentally friendly. 95 octane gasoline not only has lower fuel consumption and is more fuel-efficient, but it also better protects the engine. 2. Meaning of the numbers before gasoline: The octane rating of gasoline actually represents its octane number. The higher the number, the better its anti-knock performance. The octane rating has little to do with the quality of the gasoline.
When I first bought my car, I also thought about this issue. New car engines require a break-in period, and using 95-octane gasoline does have some benefits. With higher octane rating and better anti-knock performance, 95-octane can prevent engine knocking damage during high-speed operation. If your car is turbocharged or a high-performance model, the manual will most likely recommend starting with 95-octane to avoid premature wear. In fact, most ordinary family cars can run perfectly fine on 92-octane, and skipping 95-octane won't cause major problems. But using higher-quality fuel for the first few thousand kilometers can make the engine run smoother and extend its lifespan. Saving money on fuel might lead to more maintenance troubles later on.
I've been driving for over a decade and have owned several new cars. I've learned that fueling depends on specific circumstances. For new cars, the engine components are initially breaking in, and using 95-octane gasoline provides better lubrication and protection, reducing friction and heat, which benefits long-term performance. However, I drove an economy car for years with 92-octane fuel without any issues. If unsure, it's best to check the owner's manual, which specifies the recommended fuel grade. Using 95-octane is mainly for peace of mind—it costs more but don't expect it to solve all problems.
