Should I Use 92 or 95 Octane Gasoline for Former 93+ Octane?
2 Answers
Originally labeled as 93 octane or higher, now you can choose between 92 or 95 octane gasoline. To reduce PM2.5 emissions and achieve environmentally friendly development, the Chinese government has established a gasoline upgrade schedule. Currently, all gasoline nationwide meets the China IV standard, with octane ratings of 90/93/97. However, regions like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu have largely adopted China V standard gasoline, corresponding to 89, 92, and 95 octane ratings. Here are the details: 1. Octane Rating: This value represents gasoline's anti-knock index, measuring its resistance to detonation in engine cylinders. Higher values indicate better anti-knock performance and fuel quality. 2. Reasons for Adjusting Gasoline Grades: Notably, the China V standard's requirements for reduced sulfur content and prohibition of manganese additives necessitate some octane reduction. When refineries cannot fully compensate for octane loss from ultra-low sulfurization, adjusting gasoline grades becomes the solution.
I have a personal experience where my car's manual stated that it requires 93 octane fuel or higher. To save money, I once used 92 octane fuel, but the engine started making knocking sounds, had poor acceleration, and consumed more fuel. Later, I took it to a professional repair shop, and the mechanic diagnosed it as a knocking issue—low octane fuel wasn't compatible with the engine's compression ratio, which could easily cause internal damage. Since then, I've only used 95 octane fuel. It's a bit more expensive, but the car runs smoothly and gives me peace of mind. Nowadays, many cars only need 95 octane, while 98 octane is more premium but unnecessary unless specified. If the manual recommends 93 octane or higher, never skimp and use 92 octane—otherwise, repairs could cost thousands. A car needs proper care, just like a friend—it deserves the best.
