Should BYD Qin Plus use 92 or 95 gasoline?
3 Answers
There will be a sticker on the inside of the fuel tank cap indicating whether the model requires 92 or 95 gasoline. Note that during the break-in period, there is no need to specifically change the gasoline grade. The details are as follows: 1. Recommended use of 92: If it says 'recommended use of 92 or higher gasoline,' then both 92 and 95 can be used, but it is important to stick to one grade consistently and not switch between 92 and 95. 2. Recommended use of 95: If it says 'recommended use of 95 or higher gasoline,' then 92 cannot be used because using a lower grade gasoline may cause engine knocking and, over time, increase engine carbon deposits. 3. Performance of higher-grade gasoline: Some people believe that higher-grade gasoline is better, providing stronger engine power and better cleaning effects. In reality, the grade of gasoline only reflects the proportion of octane in the gasoline. For example, 95-grade gasoline contains about 95% octane and roughly 5% heptane. Since isooctane has better anti-knock properties and n-heptane has poorer anti-knock properties, a higher grade indicates higher octane levels, meaning the gasoline has better anti-knock performance.
As an owner of the BYD Qin PLUS DM-i, I usually fill up with 92-octane gasoline—it's economical and reliable. The official owner's manual clearly states that 92-octane is recommended, fully meeting the engine's requirements. While 95-octane is more expensive, its higher octane rating only benefits high-compression engines. The Qin PLUS's engine is designed to be compatible with 92-octane, so there's no need to waste money. In hybrid mode, the engine isn't used much, so using 92-octane saves fuel and is more eco-friendly, cutting monthly fuel costs by dozens of yuan. I've tested 95-octane and noticed no significant performance difference. The key is to check the manual and avoid blindly following trends toward pricier fuel. For daily commuting, 92-octane runs smoothly, and long-term use poses no issues—saving money with peace of mind.
Having driven for over a decade, my experience tells me that the BYD Qin PLUS runs perfectly fine on 92-octane gasoline. While 95-octane offers better anti-knock properties, the Qin PLUS's engine has a relatively low compression ratio, making 92-octane perfectly stable. The hybrid system reduces the engine's workload, so 92-octane is sufficient and more cost-effective. My neighbor tried using 95-octane and found the performance improvement negligible, while the cost was significantly higher. I recommend focusing on fuel quality by choosing reputable gas stations and avoiding low-quality fuel that could harm the engine. Regular maintenance is more critical than the gasoline grade—keeping your car in good condition ensures long-term reliability and peace of mind.
