Should the first tank of fuel for a new car be filled with 95 octane?
4 Answers
Not necessarily. If it's a turbocharged engine, it is recommended to use 95 octane gasoline, while a naturally aspirated engine can use 92 octane gasoline. Here are the relevant details: Gasoline selection: The octane rating indicated for a car is generally the minimum safe rating for combustion; the primary consideration when choosing gasoline is the cylinder compression ratio. Carbon deposits: If a car experiences increased fuel consumption, insufficient power, idle shaking, or difficulty starting when cold, it is likely caused by engine carbon deposits. If carbon deposits are not cleared in time, they can accumulate over time and cause engine tolerance issues, leading to poor engine performance. Therefore, regular carbon deposit removal is essential.
I recently bought a new car, and the first thing I did was go to the gas station, hesitating whether to fill up with 95-octane gasoline. A friend said that 95-octane fuel is more expensive, but it's better for the new car's engine and can reduce knocking. However, later I checked the owner's manual, and it clearly stated that using 92-octane gasoline is recommended, with no need to deliberately upgrade. The engine of a new car is already broken in when it leaves the factory, and using higher-octane fuel is purely a waste of money unless the car is a high-performance model or specifically requires 95-octane. Filling up with 92-octane for the first time is completely fine, and after I did, the car ran smoothly without any strange noises or lack of power. The key is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and not randomly use higher-octane fuel, saving money for more practical maintenance.
Having driven for decades, I always fill up my new car's first tank with regular-grade fuel. While 95-octane gasoline sounds fancy, it's significantly more expensive and doesn't actually benefit new engines much. Engines are designed to match specific octane ratings, and blindly using higher grades may lead to suboptimal ignition. The fuel cap label indicates the recommended grade—usually 92 or 93 is sufficient. When I was younger, I thought 95-octane would protect my car, only to waste hundreds with no noticeable effect. Using lower-grade fuel for the first tank can even help clean out factory residues—why not take advantage of that?
As a car enthusiast, I often study fuel characteristics. There's really no need to use 95-octane gasoline for the first tank in a new car. The engine compression ratio is the key factor - not all vehicles require high-octane fuel. While 95-octane offers better oxidation resistance, new engines are highly adaptable. Using lower-grade fuel won't cause damage and can actually save costs. I've tested different octane ratings and observed almost no difference in performance output. The owner's manual is the gold standard - following its recommendations is the most reliable approach to avoid unnecessary expenses.
