Should the Accord use 92 or 95 octane fuel?
3 Answers
The Accord uses 92 octane fuel. The octane rating represents the ratio of the actual gasoline's anti-knock performance to that of standard gasoline. The higher the octane number, the stronger the anti-knock performance. Standard gasoline is composed of isooctane and n-heptane. Higher octane ratings are not necessarily better; the appropriate gasoline grade should be selected based on the engine's compression ratio. Standard gasoline consists of isooctane and n-heptane. Isooctane has good anti-knock properties, with its octane value set at 100, while n-heptane has poor anti-knock properties and is prone to knocking in gasoline engines, with its octane value set at 0. If the gasoline is labeled as 92 octane, it means the gasoline contains 92% isooctane. The new Accord is equipped with three types of engines: a low-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, a high-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine. The model equipped with the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine is a hybrid version.
I usually drive an Accord and need to refuel frequently. The manual says 92-octane is sufficient, and this recommendation applies to basically all models. I've tried it many times myself: with 92-octane, the fuel consumption is normal, around 7 liters per 100 kilometers; with 95-octane, it's a bit more expensive, but on the highway, the power output feels slightly more stable, especially when climbing hills—the engine sounds smoother. To be honest, for daily commuting, the difference isn’t noticeable. If you're on a budget, 92-octane runs just fine. In the long run, higher-octane gasoline might offer slightly better engine protection, but a mechanic friend of mine said it’s not worth the hassle—just don’t accidentally fill up with diesel. In summary, Accord owners shouldn’t overthink it. Stick with the factory-recommended 92-octane—it’s cost-effective and worry-free.
As a long-time Accord owner with over a decade of experience, I find this question quite practical. 92-octane gasoline is cheaper and its octane rating sufficiently meets the compression ratio design of the Accord's engine. While 95-octane offers better anti-knock performance and can reduce minor knocking during high-speed driving, the Accord is typically well-tuned to run perfectly on 92-octane. From my experience, the fuel consumption difference is negligible—about 6.8 liters per 100 km with 92-octane versus possibly 0.1 liters less with 95-octane. However, the annual extra cost of hundreds yuan for 95-octane isn't justified. What matters most is checking the fuel cap label or owner's manual recommendation—if it specifies 92-octane, use it with confidence. Occasionally switching to 95-octane is harmless, but avoid long-term mixed usage to prevent carbon buildup issues. In summary, prioritize cost-effectiveness without overcomplicating things—your car will run smoothly either way.
