Should the Porsche 911 use 95 or 98 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
The Porsche 911 has a minimum required fuel octane rating of 95. Of course, you can also use gasoline with an octane rating of 95 or higher, such as 98 octane. Moreover, 98 octane gasoline has stronger anti-knock properties and higher combustion value, providing more powerful performance. Information about gasoline octane ratings is as follows: 1. The gasoline octane rating is the ratio of the actual gasoline's anti-knock performance to that of standard gasoline. The higher the octane rating, the stronger the anti-knock performance. 2. Standard gasoline is composed of isooctane and n-heptane. Higher octane ratings are not necessarily better; the appropriate gasoline octane rating should be selected based on the engine's compression ratio. 3. To evaluate the anti-knock performance of fuel, two methods are generally used: the Motor Method and the Research Method. The evaluation is typically conducted on a specially designed single-cylinder engine with variable compression ratio.
I've been driving a Porsche 911 for several years and always opt for 98-octane gasoline when refueling. When I first bought it, I tried 95-octane, but the engine made slight noises during high-speed acceleration, feeling less smooth. Checking the manual revealed that the 911's engine is designed with a high compression ratio, requiring high-octane fuel to reduce knocking and ensure stable power output. 98-octane improves combustion efficiency, preventing spark plug carbon buildup and engine wear over time. Although 95-octane is cheaper, using it feels like shortchanging the car, especially in high-performance mode where the response is noticeably worse. Now, I'm completely accustomed to 98-octane—it delivers a strong push-back feeling when driving, and during maintenance, the technician praised the engine's excellent condition. I recommend 911 owners prioritize 98-octane; don't compromise the overall experience just to save on fuel.
