Should the Lynk & Co 05 Use 92 or 95 Octane Gasoline?
2 Answers
The Lynk & Co 05 can use 95 octane gasoline. This fuel grade is officially recommended in the vehicle's user manual. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the user manual, the Lynk & Co 05 also has this information indicated on the fuel tank cap. Typically, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with a compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane gasoline. If the compression ratio is even higher, 98 octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the required fuel grade, as high-compression engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane fuel. Other factors, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology, also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane rating, 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 Lynk & Co 05 is occasionally filled with the wrong gasoline grade, simply switching back to the correct grade after consumption is sufficient. However, prolonged use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower octane fuel, using higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increased octane number alters the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher octane fuel, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is significantly lower, the reduced ignition point may cause premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is generated during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. Mild knocking may only increase noise without obvious engine damage, but severe knocking indicates serious engine conditions. The vibrations not only affect driving stability but can also cause abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to cylinder scoring in severe cases.
I drove a Lynk & Co 05 for a while and found that 95-octane gasoline works best. This car has a turbocharged engine with high-performance design, so higher octane fuel is needed to prevent knocking. Although 92-octane is cheaper, using it makes the engine noisier, increases fuel consumption, and degrades the driving experience. I tried 92-octane a few times, and the acceleration was noticeably slower. Long-term use might even damage the engine. The manual recommends 95-octane, so it’s better to follow that for peace of mind. Don’t just focus on the price difference—consider maintenance costs. If something goes wrong, repairs could be much more expensive. Plus, the Lynk & Co 05 is positioned as a sporty SUV, and you want that strong acceleration feeling. Using 95-octane ensures smoother power delivery, making highway overtaking easier. Make it a habit to always fill up with 95-octane and check the engine condition regularly. After a few years, the car will still be in great shape.
