Should the Ford Escort use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?

[OCarmen]

According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Ford Escort should use 92 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it marked on the fuel tank cap of the Ford Escort. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should choose 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should opt for 95 octane gasoline. However, with the application of new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. Even engines with high compression ratios can be tuned to use lower octane gasoline. This is because, besides the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane number, the higher the octane value and the better the anti-knock performance. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Ford Escort occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower octane gasoline, using higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane value will alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Due to the significantly lower octane value, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites during the compression stroke, resistance will arise during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise with no obvious damage to the engine. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.

[Sawyer]

I just read this question. I've driven the Ford Escort for several years, and the manual clearly states to use 92-octane gasoline, so 92 is perfectly sufficient. Although 95-octane has a higher octane rating and can reduce some knocking, for the engine design of the Escort, there's no need to spend extra money. Isn't it better to save on fuel costs and put that money towards car maintenance? Besides, long-term use of 95-octane doesn't show much performance improvement, whereas 92-octane is more economical. Remember, always check fuel quality when refueling—don't go for cheap gas at shady stations, as low-quality fuel with impurities can affect engine lifespan. Whether for city commuting or highway driving, 92-octane is more than capable, so upgrading isn't necessary.