Is it necessary to use 95 octane gasoline for the new LaCrosse?
2 Answers
The new LaCrosse's manual specifies a minimum requirement of 95 octane gasoline, so it is necessary to use 95 octane fuel. This is because the LaCrosse is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, which requires fuel with good anti-knock properties. It's not that 95 octane is better than 92 octane, but rather that choosing the right gasoline for the engine is more important. Generally, naturally aspirated engines use 92 octane gasoline, while turbocharged engines mostly use 95 octane. To maintain engine cleanliness and achieve optimal vehicle performance, the Buick LaCrosse with a 1.5T engine should use unleaded gasoline with a nominal octane rating of 92 or higher. For vehicles with a 2.0Turbo engine, unleaded gasoline with a nominal octane rating of 95 or higher should be used. If the octane rating is lower than the specified value, you may hear engine knocking noises while driving, typically referring to spark knock. If this occurs, please use gasoline with the above-mentioned octane rating as soon as possible. If severe knocking is still heard when using gasoline with the specified octane rating or higher, promptly take the vehicle to a repair shop for inspection.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I firmly believe the new LaCrosse truly requires 95-octane fuel. These newer Buick engines have high compression ratios, especially the turbocharged ones. 95-octane fuel offers better anti-knock performance, preventing abnormal engine knocking and long-term damage. While 92-octane may be cheaper, it could lead to reduced power and increased fuel consumption - not worth the trade-off. I've checked the owner's manual, which clearly recommends 95-octane - this isn't arbitrary but based on optimized engine design. Occasional use of 92-octane might be okay short-term, but for safe driving and engine longevity, I insist on 95-octane. Especially during highway driving or hill climbs, higher-octane fuel provides quicker, more stable response, preventing sudden malfunctions.