Should the Tayron use 95 or 98 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Tayron should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will be clearly marked. Typically, the gasoline 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. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the gasoline grade. High compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower octane gasoline because factors other than compression ratio, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology, also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane number, the higher the octane value 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 Tayron occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower octane gasoline, using higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane value will alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. The significantly lower octane value reduces the gasoline's ignition point, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites, resistance will arise during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise without obvious damage to the engine. 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 Tayron for several years and always use 95-octane fuel because it's economical and meets the engine's requirements. The manufacturer's manual recommends 95-octane, so I never switch to 98-octane, saving money for an extra oil change or tire upgrade. 98-octane fuel is significantly more expensive—I calculated it costs over 2 yuan more per liter, saving hundreds a year. There's no noticeable difference in acceleration during city commutes. It's also stable on highways, and engine carbon buildup isn't severe. 95-octane is the standard choice with high cost-performance—don’t blindly switch to 98-octane just because others say it's better. What suits daily driving matters most. Regular maintenance is more critical than fuel grade, and maintaining good driving habits extends your car's lifespan.
