Is it necessary to use 95 octane gasoline for the Vezel?
3 Answers
The minimum fuel grade required for the Vezel is 92 octane, so there is no need to use 95 octane gasoline. Using 92 octane gasoline is sufficient to meet the engine's operational requirements. Generally speaking, Japanese cars typically use engines that require 92 octane fuel, with only some turbocharged engines requiring higher-grade 95 octane gasoline. Definition of gasoline grades: Gasoline grades represent the ratio of the actual gasoline's anti-knock performance to that of standard gasoline. The higher the grade, the stronger the anti-knock performance. Standard gasoline is composed of isooctane and n-heptane. Higher grades are not necessarily better; the appropriate gasoline grade should be chosen based on the engine's compression ratio. Misconceptions about gasoline usage: Some people fall into the misconception of preferring higher-grade gasoline, and some even consider the gasoline grade as a standard for fuel purity and quality. This is a mistaken notion. In fact, the grade of gasoline only indicates the octane value and should never be confused with purity and quality.
I've been driving the Vezel for two years and have studied this issue carefully. The manual clearly states that 92-octane gasoline is sufficient, so from an economic perspective, there's really no need to use 95. For city commuting, 95-octane is significantly more expensive, costing dozens to hundreds more per month without necessarily providing tangible benefits. The Vezel's engine isn't a high-performance version, and 92-octane already meets normal requirements. Unless you frequently drive long distances or on mountain roads where 95-octane's higher knock resistance can reduce engine knocking and slightly improve acceleration, the difference in daily driving is negligible. I've tried both fuels - 95 only performs slightly better when oil temperatures are high, but overall it's not worth the extra cost. The money saved can be better spent on regular maintenance, which is more cost-effective than upgrading fuel. Remember, don't be fooled by gas station promotions - following the manual is the safest approach.
Having driven for over a decade, I've always owned Japanese cars including the HR-V. From a performance perspective, occasionally using 95-octane fuel makes the engine respond slightly faster with smoother acceleration, but it doesn't mean you must use it long-term. The HR-V's engine is designed to run perfectly on 92-octane - higher-octane 95 mainly prevents knocking under high-temperature or carbon-deposit conditions. In real-world tests, there's negligible urban fuel consumption difference between 95 and 92, so I normally just use 92 to save money. Friends suggest premium fuel extends engine life, but my experience proves regular oil changes and air filter replacements matter more for engine health. The savings allow me to drive hundreds of extra kilometers annually.
