Should a scooter use 92 or 95 gasoline?
3 Answers
Scooters typically use 92 gasoline. 92 gasoline has an octane rating of 92 and a heptane rating of 8, making it suitable for vehicles with lower compression ratios. Whether a motorcycle should use 92 or 95 gasoline depends on the motorcycle's manual and its compression ratio. If the engine has a high compression ratio, it is recommended to use 95 gasoline; if the compression ratio is low, 92 gasoline is sufficient. Scooters are equipped with continuously variable transmissions and automatic clutches, without gear designs. After starting, simply twisting the throttle allows the scooter to move, and releasing the throttle will gradually slow it down until it stops. Additionally, scooters have smaller wheels compared to other vehicles, and most of their transmission systems use belt drives. The difference between 92 and 95 gasoline lies in their iso-octane content. The higher the fuel grade, the better its anti-knock performance. For domestic motorcycles, 92 gasoline is recommended due to their lower engine compression ratios. For joint-venture or imported motorcycles, 95 gasoline is advised. If the engine compression ratio is between 8 and 8.9, 92 gasoline should be used. If the compression ratio is between 8.8 and 9.8, 95 gasoline is suitable. For compression ratios above 10, 97 gasoline is required. It's important to note that the manufacturer sets the fuel grade limit for the motorcycle, so a higher fuel grade does not necessarily mean better engine performance. The specific fuel grade for a motorcycle should be chosen according to the manual.
I've been repairing motorcycles for over ten years, so let me give you some practical advice. The fuel tank cap of a ladies' motorcycle usually has the recommended fuel grade printed on it—just take a look at your own bike first. The main difference between 92 and 95 octane is the octane rating. High-compression engines need 95 octane to prevent knocking, but most small scooters have a compression ratio around 9:1, so 92 octane is perfectly sufficient. While 95 octane will still burn, there's really no need to spend the extra money. At 50 cents more per liter, a full 30-liter tank will cost you an extra seven or eight bucks. If you fill up three or four times a month, that adds up to three or four hundred wasted dollars a year. Motorcycle engines run hot, and I've seen cases where using 95 octane leads to more carbon buildup—cleaning the throttle body is a hassle. Remember not to mix fuel grades; sticking to one type of gasoline long-term is best for your engine. If you switch grades, finish the current tank before refueling with the new one.
As a female rider who commutes daily on a scooter, here are some refueling tips. Our kind of women's scooters are recommended by manufacturers to use 92 octane gasoline, as clearly stated in the manual. Using 92 octane is perfectly sufficient for daily use, with no issues running at speeds of 70-80 km/h on city roads. 95 octane is more expensive and doesn't necessarily provide better mileage—I've tested it myself. With a full tank on urban routes, 95 octane actually resulted in about 10 km less distance. The gas station brand matters too; fuel quality from small stations isn't guaranteed. Once, I filled up with off-brand 92 octane at a roadside shop in the countryside, and the engine started shaking. Now, I stick to Sinopec for regular 92 octane, and the engine runs smoothly. Honestly, beyond fuel grade, regular oil changes and air filter checks are even more important. Proper maintenance is key to engine performance.
