Should a Maserati use 95 or 98 octane gasoline?
3 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, Maserati should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be marked. Usually, 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 choose 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should choose 95 octane gasoline. However, with the use of some new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be determined solely by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be adjusted to use lower octane gasoline because, in addition to the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, 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 a Maserati occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after use. 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 the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, and the actual feedback experience is reduced power. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If the fuel ignites before the spark plug fires during the compression stroke, resistance will occur during the upward stroke. This resistance will make the engine run very unstable. If it is mild knocking, it only increases noise and does not significantly damage the engine. However, if there is obvious knocking, it indicates that the engine's condition is already very severe. The vibration not only affects driving stability but also causes abnormal wear on the piston and cylinder, and in severe cases, can lead to cylinder scoring.
I have been particularly focused on car maintenance for several years. For luxury performance cars like Maserati, I recommend using 98-octane fuel. The high octane rating of 98 provides superior anti-knock properties, ensuring smoother engine operation. Maserati engines are often designed to operate at high RPMs, and using 95-octane fuel can easily lead to knocking—those abnormal explosive sounds from the engine—which can damage pistons or valves. Over time, the high repair costs will outweigh any savings. From my personal experience, using 98-octane fuel results in quicker acceleration response and exceptional stability at high speeds. The owner's manual typically recommends 98-octane fuel, so don’t try to save a few bucks by using 95-octane. For safety, always use 98-octane to protect your beloved car and extend its lifespan. While occasionally using 95-octane for short commutes might not cause immediate issues, sticking to higher-grade fuel long-term is the wisest choice. Remember, always buy fuel from reputable gas stations—avoid no-name brands.
As a cost-conscious car owner, I want to save on fuel expenses but also worry about my beloved car. Using 98-octane gasoline for Maserati is more expensive, but its higher octane rating prevents engine knocking. Opting for 95-octane is cheaper, but it might compromise engine performance and increase maintenance needs. I've done the math: 98-octane costs about a dollar more per liter. Based on driving 1,000 kilometers per month, the difference amounts to just a few dozen dollars. However, using 95-octane may lead to more carbon deposits, with a single fuel system cleaning costing hundreds of dollars, and potentially harming the engine in the long run. 98-octane burns more efficiently and might even save some fuel consumption. I recommend checking the manual, as most Maserati models recommend 98-octane. For city driving, using 95-octane temporarily may not cause major issues, but for high-speed driving, 98-octane is essential for safety first.
