Should the Nissan Patrol 4.0 use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?
3 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Nissan Patrol 4.0 should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, the Patrol 4.0's recommended fuel type can also be found on the fuel tank cap, which will be clearly marked. Generally, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine 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 appropriate gasoline grade, as high-compression engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane fuel. This is because factors other than the compression ratio, 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 Patrol 4.0 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switching back to the correct grade after consumption is sufficient. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower octane fuel, using a higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increased octane number can alter 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 a lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is created during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is mild, it may only increase noise without significant engine damage. 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.
I've been driving the Patrol 4.0 for a while now, and I feel that using 95-octane gasoline suits it better. The manual recommends using 95-octane fuel, as its higher octane rating helps reduce engine knocking, especially making climbs and high-speed driving smoother. While 92-octane is cheaper, long-term use may lead to incomplete combustion, increased carbon deposits, and affect both power and fuel efficiency. I've tried mixing them a few times, and 95-octane provides quicker starts and more stable acceleration, so now I mostly stick to 95-octane. Considering the car's high price, saving a bit on fuel isn't worth it. It's better to follow the manual's advice to protect the engine's lifespan.
As a frequent self-driving traveler, I believe the Nissan Patrol 4.0 is better off using 95-octane gasoline for peace of mind. While 92-octane is cheaper, its lower octane rating makes it prone to knocking during hot weather or mountain driving, compromising safety. In contrast, 95-octane improves combustion efficiency and delivers more stable fuel consumption. Long-term, regular maintenance and oil changes extend engine life—using 92-octane requires frequent fuel system cleaning, which ends up being costly and troublesome. For daily city commutes, flexibility is fine, but on highways or long trips, I insist on 95-octane—fewer risks, more reassurance.
