What are the benefits of using high-octane gasoline?
2 Answers
Using high-octane gasoline has no benefits, and here are the reasons: 1. If you use high-octane gasoline when low-octane gasoline should be used, it may lead to insufficient compression ratio, resulting in incomplete combustion, sluggish acceleration, and delayed ignition. 2. The octane number of gasoline refers to its anti-knock performance; the higher the octane number, the better the anti-knock performance. 3. Manufacturers have already preset parameters such as the engine's compression ratio and ignition timing in the vehicle's computer. The appropriate octane level for a car should be determined based on the manufacturer's specifications.
I have a lot to say about using high-octane gasoline, given my years of experience with cars. The biggest benefit is its superior anti-knock performance, especially now that turbocharged cars are becoming more common. High-compression engines really need this kind of fuel for protection. Take my hot hatch, for example—after switching to 98-octane, the acceleration push is noticeably stronger, and even at high RPMs, there’s no rattling or knocking from the engine. Over time, I’ve also noticed much less carbon buildup; the spark plugs come out clean when inspected. However, it’s worth noting that not all cars require such high-octane fuel. Older cars might actually experience incomplete combustion with high-octane gasoline. If your maintenance manual specifies 98-octane, I’d recommend sticking to it—it helps protect pistons and cylinder walls.
