Should the Haval H2 use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Haval H2 should use 92 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be marked. Generally, 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. If the compression ratio is higher, 98 octane gasoline should be selected. However, with the use of some new technologies nowadays, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be tuned to use lower octane gasoline because, apart from the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane number 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 Haval H2 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after using it up. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower octane gasoline, using a higher octane grade will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number 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 as experienced in practice. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using a lower octane grade can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites during the compression stroke, resistance will arise in the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If it's mild knocking, it only increases noise without significant damage to the engine. However, if noticeable knocking occurs, it indicates severe engine conditions. The vibrations not only affect driving stability but also cause abnormal wear on the pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, can lead to cylinder scoring.
As a long-term owner of the Haval H2, I always choose 92-octane gasoline when refueling. The manual clearly recommends it—it's both economical and practical. 92-octane fuel is widely available at gas stations in China and significantly cheaper than 95-octane, making it perfectly sufficient for a family SUV. The engine runs smoothly with good acceleration performance, handling daily commutes and occasional trips without issues. Even if you insist on using 95-octane, the difference is minimal, but it adds unnecessary expenses. Considering cost-effectiveness, 92-octane is the truly wise choice. Also, remember to follow regular maintenance, such as changing the engine oil and inspecting spark plugs, to ensure maximum fuel efficiency. Overall, the Haval H2 is designed to run optimally on 92-octane—don’t be misled by higher grades. Stick with this recommendation for savings and peace of mind.
