Should the Malibu 1.5T use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
The 1.5T model requires the use of 92 octane gasoline. The Malibu is a mid-size sedan under Chevrolet, with a wheelbase of 2737 mm, and dimensions of 4855 mm in length, 1854 mm in width, and 1476 mm in height. More details are as follows: 1. The Malibu is equipped with four types of engines in total: a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, and a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine. 2. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers 170 horsepower and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. This engine reaches its maximum power at 5600 rpm and its maximum torque between 2000 and 4000 rpm. It features direct fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
For the Chevrolet Malibu 1.5T, I often get asked about refueling. The engine was designed to run on 92-octane gasoline, and in most cases, 92 is sufficient—the octane rating matches the engine's compression ratio, ensuring smooth daily driving. If your budget allows, you might try 95-octane gasoline, as its higher octane rating offers better anti-knock performance, potentially providing slightly quicker power response during high-speed driving, though the difference is minimal. Long-term use of 95 won’t bring significant improvements but will cost more. To save money, 92 is perfectly adequate. I’ve driven my Malibu 1.5T for three years, refueling with 92 once a month, and the mileage performance has been normal without any issues. Before buying a car, new owners should check the manual to confirm the recommended fuel grade and avoid being upsold at the gas station for higher-octane fuel. In short, choose based on your driving habits—92 for gentle driving, 95 for a more spirited experience.
