Should turbocharged cars use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?

[DelLilliana]

Whether a turbocharged car uses 92 or 95 octane gasoline is determined by the manufacturer's tuning and settings. Not all turbocharged engines require 95 octane gasoline, nor does a higher compression ratio necessarily mean 95 octane gasoline should be used. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid distilled or cracked from petroleum, used as fuel. The characteristics of gasoline are: 1. Volatility: It quickly vaporizes in the engine cylinder and forms a uniform combustible mixture with air; 2. Stability: The ability to resist oxidation under normal temperature and liquid phase conditions is called stability; 3. Anti-knock property: Refers to the ability of gasoline to resist detonation combustion under various usage conditions; 4. Corrosiveness: Sulfur compounds in gasoline can cause corrosion to objects.

[DiJayce]

For turbocharged cars, I personally think it depends on the specific model and the recommendations in the owner's manual. Turbocharging typically increases engine compression and makes combustion more intense. If you use lower-octane fuel like 92 RON gasoline, it may cause knocking issues—abnormal vibrations inside the engine that sound like rattling and affect performance. 95 RON gasoline has a higher octane rating and better anti-knock properties, making it suitable for most turbocharged cars to reduce this risk. However, don’t blindly believe that 'all turbocharged cars must use 95 RON'—the key is to check your owner’s manual, which clearly states the requirements. Some models, like certain Japanese cars, may allow 92 RON. I’ve driven several turbocharged cars and found that sticking to 95 RON makes the engine run smoother and last longer. Occasionally using 92 RON won’t cause immediate harm, but don’t make it a habit. If you accidentally fill up with the wrong fuel, try to burn through half the tank and switch back to the correct grade, or ask a technician to inspect the engine during maintenance to prevent potential damage.

[DelCarson]

My turbocharged American car usually runs on 95-octane fuel. I tried 92-octane once because it's cheaper, but the engine noise increased, fuel consumption rose, and the driving experience became noticeably rougher. I still remember that first time with 92-octane – the car felt sluggish and shaky at startup. A friend reminded me that high-compression turbo engines are prone to knocking, and switching back to 95-octane immediately restored smooth operation. Nowadays, the price difference for 95-octane at gas stations is minimal – just a few hundred dollars more annually for 10,000 km of driving. But it protects the engine from costly repairs, making it worthwhile in the long run. I recommend checking your owner's manual or vehicle specs via apps – requirements vary significantly between brands. Many European models require 95-octane minimum, while some newer designs can accommodate 92-octane. Develop the habit of verifying the pump's octane rating before refueling; don't risk misfueling for convenience. Regularly monitor your engine's condition – saving small amounts now could lead to major expenses later.

[MacBenjamin]

Having driven turbocharged cars for many years, I learned the hard way by using 92-octane fuel. To save money when I first bought the car, I fueled up with 92, only to end up with the engine light on and costly repairs—all due to low-octane fuel causing knocking and damaging components. Now I strictly use 95-octane, as turbocharged engines require higher anti-knock fuel for smooth operation. Checking the vehicle manual is crucial—most turbo cars recommend 95-octane or higher. While 92 is cheaper, consider the long-term effects: accelerated engine wear, increased fuel consumption, and even reduced horsepower. Occasionally mixing fuels is fine, but don’t make it a habit. Peace of mind with maintenance costs matters most.