Should the Volkswagen Santana use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?

2 Answers
StellaLynn
07/24/25 11:06pm
According to the official car manual recommendation, the Volkswagen Santana should use 92 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the car manual, the Volkswagen Santana can also check it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be marked. Usually, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine compression ratio. Cars with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should choose 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should choose 95 octane gasoline. However, with the use of some new technologies nowadays, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be adjusted to use lower-grade gasoline. This is because, apart from the compression ratio, there are other influencing factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology. 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 Volkswagen Santana occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct gasoline grade after use. However, if the wrong gasoline grade is used for a long time, the following effects may occur: For vehicles recommended to use lower-grade gasoline, using higher-grade gasoline by mistake will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number will change the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, and the actual feedback experience is reduced power. For vehicles recommended to use higher-grade gasoline, using lower-grade gasoline will cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the fuel's ignition point decreases and may ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites during the compression stroke, resistance will appear during the upward stroke. This resistance will make the engine run very unstably. If it is only slight knocking, the noise will increase, but the damage to the engine is not obvious. If there is obvious knocking, it indicates that the engine's condition is already very severe. The vibration not only affects driving stability but also causes abnormal wear of the piston and cylinder, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring may occur.
Was this review help?
1
0
Share
NatalieFitz
08/10/25 3:16pm
When driving my Volkswagen Santana, I tried both 92 and 95 octane fuel and found that 92 is perfectly adequate for daily use. The manual states that 92 is the minimum requirement, but I noticed significantly smoother performance when switching to 95 during frequent highway driving. Higher-octane gasoline like 95 reduces engine knocking and protects the engine, especially during summer or uphill driving. Although 92 is more economical, 95 may offer slightly better fuel efficiency, making the long-term cost roughly the same. I recommend choosing based on driving conditions: 92 is fine for city commuting, but opt for 95 on long trips or spirited driving to ensure safety. My car has run for several years without major issues—following the manual is the most reliable approach.
Was this review help?
14
4
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What car is the Fala Yu?

Fala Yu refers to the Civic, a compact sedan launched by Dongfeng Honda, measuring 4649 mm in length, 1800 mm in width, and 1416 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2700 mm. The Civic features an advanced front and rear independent suspension system, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a double-wishbone rear suspension. The Civic is equipped with two engines: a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 1.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers a maximum power of 92 kW and a maximum torque of 173 Nm, while the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces a maximum power of 130 kW and a maximum torque of 226 Nm.
12
4
Share

What type of engine oil is used for the Fit?

The original engine oil for the Fit is the green-can SN0W20 grade oil. When changing the oil, it is recommended to use semi-synthetic oil. In terms of power, the Fit is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, which does not have high viscosity requirements for oil, so semi-synthetic oil is sufficient. The Fit's engine has a maximum power of 131 horsepower and a maximum torque of 155 Nm, featuring direct injection technology and an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. It delivers maximum power at 6,600 rpm and maximum torque at 4,600 rpm. The front suspension of the Fit uses a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension uses a torsion beam non-independent suspension.
7
2
Share

How Long Does It Take for a New Car to Go on Sale After MIIT Approval?

New cars can go on sale 3 to 6 months after MIIT approval. The environmental protection catalog is a step in the emission review process by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China before a new car is launched. After this, the car must be included in the MIIT's new car catalog before it can officially be released for sale. Generally, the catalog is published 3-6 months before the official release of the new car. Methods to determine if a car is new include: Checking the manufacturing date: The vehicle's manufacturing date should match the date on the certificate of conformity, which is usually difficult to alter. If the manufacturing date is more than 15 days old, it is considered an old car. Checking the brake discs: Most small passenger vehicles today use disc brakes (at least for the front brakes), making the brake discs a reliable indicator. Typically, after driving more than 200 kilometers, the brake pads will leave noticeable marks on the brake discs.
20
4
Share

Where is the temperature sensor of the Lavida's evaporator box located?

Inside the driver's side door. Here are the relevant introductions: 1. Temperature sensor: The air conditioning temperature sensor contains a bimetallic strip with different thermal expansion coefficients, which deforms when reaching a certain critical temperature range to close the contacts and complete the circuit. Below this temperature range, it returns to its original position and breaks the circuit. The temperature switch surface is marked with values such as 78 or 83. 2. Evaporator: When the evaporator surface temperature rises to around 7, the two lines form a circuit again, and the compressor continues to operate. There is a mechanically adjustable knob on the market that allows you to set the temperature yourself to prevent the evaporator from frosting.
18
3
Share

How Long Should You Wait Before Retaking the Subject 3 Driving Test?

For the Subject 3 driving test, you can retake it immediately if you fail. However, if you fail the retest, you must wait at least 10 days before applying again. Each subject allows one initial test and one retest opportunity. If you do not take the retest or fail it again, the current test session will be terminated, and you will need to reschedule the test. Note that for Subject 2 and Subject 3, the rescheduling must be done at least 10 days later. For first-time applicants for a motor vehicle driver's license or those applying to add a new vehicle category, the following regulations apply when scheduling the Subject 3 test: 1. For low-speed trucks, three-wheeled vehicles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and tram categories: Schedule the test at least 20 days after obtaining the driving study certificate. 2. For small cars, small automatic transmission cars, and small automatic transmission cars for disabled persons: Schedule the test at least 30 days after obtaining the driving study certificate. 3. For large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, and large trucks: Schedule the test at least 40 days after obtaining the driving study certificate.
4
5
Share

What could be the reason for the sudden failure of all four door windows to roll up or down in an old Lavida?

Possible issues could be with the control module or the electrical circuit. Problems with window rolling may arise from the following situations: 1. Damaged window regulator: If there is a burnt smell or unusual noises inside the door panel when holding down the window button, it is likely that the window regulator motor components are damaged. In this case, it is recommended to directly visit a 4S shop or auto repair shop to replace the window regulator motor. 2. Motor overheating protection: To protect the power supply circuit, window regulator motors generally have an overheating protection mechanism. If components overheat for some reason, the motor will enter a protection state, causing the window to stop rolling. 3. Excessive resistance in the window guide channel: The door window guide channel is an easily overlooked detail. Over time, dust can accumulate in the guide channel, increasing resistance and potentially making it difficult for the window to roll up.
18
4
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.