Should the Lifan KPV150 use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?
3 Answers
Lifan KPV150 uses 92 octane gasoline. The differences between 92 and 95 octane gasoline are as follows: Content differences: There is no quality gap between 92 and 95 octane gasoline, only differences in composition. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. The higher the isooctane ratio, the better the anti-knock performance. However, each car engine has different performance parameters, resulting in different anti-knock requirements. The appropriate gasoline type should be selected based on the anti-knock data provided by the manufacturer. Price differences: The higher the isooctane content, the more expensive the price, so 95 octane gasoline is slightly more expensive than 92 octane. Power differences: Engines with high compression ratios should choose gasoline with high octane values. This is because high engine speeds cause earlier ignition in the cylinder. When the speed reaches a peak, the gasoline in the cylinder may combust prematurely before ignition occurs, which is called knocking. Gasoline with higher octane content can more effectively enhance anti-knock performance.
When I picked up my KPV150, I specifically asked the maintenance technician about the fuel recommendation in the manual, which states 92 octane. He counted on his fingers and said that with an 11:1 compression ratio, 92 is sufficient, and using 95 wouldn’t boost performance but would just waste money. Once, I accidentally filled up with 95 octane when borrowing a friend’s bike, and there was absolutely no difference in how it ran—except the gas station bill was over a dozen yuan higher. Later, during a maintenance check when the spark plugs were removed, the technician mentioned that higher-octane fuel burns slower, leading to a slightly thicker layer of carbon buildup in the cylinders compared to using 92. For a scooter, it’s really unnecessary. With gas prices so high now, saving money to buy a better bottle of engine oil is much more practical.
A while ago, this topic caused a heated debate in our motorcycle group. I dug out the manual and took a photo of the fuel octane rating page: 'Use 92 or higher unleaded gasoline.' Old Wang, the mechanic in the group, gave a science lesson, saying that for a 150cc single-cylinder engine with a compression ratio below 12:1, there's basically no need to consider 95. He once repaired a KPV150 that had the wrong fuel, and there were gum deposits in the valve chamber—caused by incomplete combustion of higher-octane gasoline. Just stick to the big three oil companies' gas stations; small workshops might mix methanol into their 92, which can harm the engine.
