Should turbocharged cars use 92 or 95 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
Turbocharged cars should use 95 octane gasoline. The differences between 95 octane and 92 octane gasoline are as follows: 1. 92 octane gasoline contains approximately 92% isooctane. 2. 95 octane gasoline contains approximately 95% isooctane. 4. 92 octane gasoline contains approximately 8% n-heptane. 5. 95 octane gasoline contains approximately 5% n-heptane. 6. Isooctane has better anti-knock properties, while n-heptane has poorer anti-knock properties. Therefore, the higher the octane rating, the higher the octane number, indicating better anti-knock performance of the gasoline.
I've done specialized research on this issue. Turbocharged cars have higher compression ratios, with greater temperature and pressure inside the cylinders. 92-octane gasoline has relatively weaker anti-knock properties. Manufacturers recommend using 95-octane for good reason—it reduces the risk of knocking and is better for both the turbo blades and engine longevity. My friend's 2.0T car indeed feels slightly sluggish in throttle response when using 92-octane, and the engine sound becomes muffled during hard acceleration. However, some Japanese turbocharged cars explicitly state in their manuals that 92-octane is acceptable—in such cases, follow the manufacturer's guidance. In the long run, spending a bit more on fuel is far more economical than repairing the engine, especially for older vehicles where extra caution is needed.
