
The Sylphy is specified to use gasoline with an octane rating of 92 or higher. In terms of power, this car is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, which has relatively lower power compared to turbocharged engines, making 92-octane gasoline sufficient. Precautions for using the fuel tank are as follows: Do not wait for the low fuel warning light to come on before refueling: Before driving, check the fuel gauge and calculate whether refueling is needed during the trip based on the distance and the fuel gauge reading. It is advisable to refuel in advance rather than waiting for the fuel warning light to come on. The fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank and operates at high temperatures during continuous use. Being immersed in fuel helps to cool it effectively. When the fuel warning light comes on, it indicates that the fuel level is below the fuel pump. Waiting until the light comes on to refuel each time can shorten the fuel pump's lifespan, and having too little fuel in the tank may even cause the fuel pump to burn out. Choose to refuel in the morning or evening: Generally, temperatures are lower in the morning and evening, and gasoline has a lower vaporization point. Therefore, it is better to refuel during these times. Gasoline expands when hot and contracts when cold, and it is charged by volume. At lower temperatures, gasoline has a relatively higher density, and the mass per unit volume also increases, allowing you to get more fuel for the same price. Avoid filling the tank completely when driving in the city: When driving in urban areas, there is no need to fill the tank completely. A full tank adds extra weight to the engine, increasing fuel consumption. Since refueling is convenient in the city, there is no need to fill the tank to its maximum capacity.

For ordinary family use, the Nissan Sylphy runs perfectly fine on 92 octane gasoline. I've driven my Sylphy for five years using only 92 octane, and the engine has never given me any trouble. 92 octane is cheaper too - you can save over 30 yuan per tank, which adds up to two oil changes in a year. Don't be fooled by the higher 95 octane rating; the Sylphy's engine compression ratio isn't that demanding. The manufacturer's manual clearly states '92 octane or higher recommended'. Of course, if money is no object, you can use 95 octane, but there's really no need to spend extra for peace of mind. Just remember not to cheap out by using low-quality fuel from private gas stations - Sinopec and PetroChina's 92 octane is absolutely reliable.

Actually, the octane rating of gasoline has nothing to do with cleanliness; the key factor is anti-knock performance. The 1.6L naturally aspirated engine in the Sylphy has a compression ratio of 9.8:1, which matches perfectly with 92 octane fuel. I once asked a technician at the 4S dealership during maintenance, and he said the Sylphy's knock sensor automatically adjusts the ignition timing. Using 95 octane fuel would actually delay ignition and affect power output. However, it's important to note that the newer turbocharged models after the 2019 version require 95 octane fuel—the most accurate reference is the label on the fuel tank cap when purchasing the car. Long-term use of higher octane fuel may also lead to incomplete combustion and carbon deposits. If you're really concerned, occasionally using two tanks of 95 octane to clean carbon deposits is acceptable.

Last week, I just helped my cousin pick up a new Sylphy. When refueling, I specifically confirmed: the naturally aspirated version takes 92 octane, while the turbocharged one requires 95 octane. The 4S store salesperson said the HR16 engine in the Sylphy is meant for 'coarse grains,' and using 95 octane might even cause the catalytic converter to retire early. The sticker inside the fuel filler neck clearly states the requirement—trusting that is more reliable than checking online. From my own experience, the car runs smoother on highways with 92 octane, while 95 octane feels slightly less responsive in city driving at low speeds. Veteran drivers suggest following the manual and not wasting money on unnecessary upgrades.


