What are the consequences of filling a car that requires 95 octane with 92 octane fuel?
2 Answers
The consequences of filling a car that requires 95 octane with 92 octane fuel include reduced power, engine shaking, and knocking. The principles for selecting gasoline octane ratings and the differences between 92 and 95 octane gasoline are as follows: Principles for selecting gasoline octane ratings: The compression ratio of the engine is the sole criterion for choosing the gasoline octane rating. Generally, engines with a compression ratio of 10:1 or higher should use 95 octane or higher gasoline. Car owners can refer to the manual or the label near the fuel tank cap to select the appropriate gasoline. Differences between 92 and 95 octane gasoline: The difference between 92 and 95 octane gasoline lies not in quality but in the content of added isooctane, which affects the gasoline's anti-knock properties. 95 octane gasoline contains a higher proportion of isooctane, making it slightly more expensive and providing better anti-knock performance.
Last time I accidentally filled my car, which requires 95-octane gasoline, with 92-octane fuel. The difference was noticeable while driving—the power output dropped significantly, throttle response became sluggish as if the car was dragging its feet, and the engine started making a knocking sound, which is known as engine knocking. I consulted a mechanic, and he explained that 92-octane fuel has lower anti-knock properties compared to 95-octane, making it unsuitable for the engine's high compression ratio, leading to unstable combustion. Driving like this long-term would increase fuel consumption by about half a liter per 100 kilometers and could cause carbon buildup or internal engine damage. The remedy is to use up the current tank of fuel as soon as possible or mix it with 95-octane fuel next time to dilute it, avoiding similar mistakes in the future. Additionally, if the engine warning light comes on after using the wrong fuel, it's safer not to force the car to run and instead get it checked at a professional shop. Overall, this small mistake was nerve-wracking, and now I always double-check the fuel grade before filling up.
