What Are the Differences Between 92, 95, and 97 Gasoline?

[DiAlina]

92, 95, and 97 gasoline differ in that 92 and 95 meet the China V standard, while 97 meets the China IV standard. The three types have different compositions and varying formaldehyde content. Compared to 97 gasoline, 92 and 95 gasoline have reduced sulfur, manganese, and olefin content, increased gasoline density, and adjusted vapor pressure standards. Below are detailed explanations about 92 gasoline: Overview: 92 gasoline has an octane rating of 92 and a heptane rating of 8, making it suitable for mid-range vehicles (cars with lower compression ratios). The current standard for 92 gasoline is the mandatory national standard for fifth-stage automotive gasoline. Others: The 'Automotive Gasoline' standard introduces density specifications for the first time to further ensure relatively stable fuel economy for vehicles. Compared to GB17930—2011, the main changes can be summarized as 'three reductions, two adjustments, and one addition.'

[JulietteLee]

The gasoline octane rating essentially reflects its anti-knock performance. The octane numbers for 92, 95, and 97-grade fuels are 92, 95, and 97 respectively. The higher the rating, the more stable the combustion in high-compression engines. For regular commuter cars, 92-octane is perfectly adequate—just follow the fuel cap recommendation. Spending extra on 97-octane is pure waste. However, if you drive a performance or turbocharged vehicle, you must use 97-octane fuel. Otherwise, pre-ignition can cause engine knocking, often audible as a 'ticking' sound. Remember, more expensive fuel isn't always better—always refer to the manufacturer's recommended rating. Old-school drivers often claimed higher-octane fuel saves gas, but this is unfounded. As long as the rating meets the engine's requirements, that's all that matters.

[LaKendra]

The most crucial factor in choosing gasoline octane is matching the vehicle's engine. For family cars with a compression ratio below 9.5, using 92 octane is perfectly fine—if the fuel cap says 92, don't overthink it. My car has been running on 92 for five years, and the engine has never given me any trouble. However, for high-performance vehicles like turbocharged cars or sports cars with a compression ratio over 10, you must use 95 or 97 octane; otherwise, knocking will occur in no time. Nowadays, 97 octane has been upgraded to 98, but they're essentially the same high-octane fuels. News reports claim that 98 octane contains more detergents, but I think the effect is limited—the key is still whether the octane rating is appropriate. Also, don’t fall for gas station gimmicks; just follow what the manual recommends, and you can’t go wrong.

[MacLilliana]

I always check the price board when refueling. The 92-octane gas is several cents cheaper than 95-octane. For daily driving a 1.6L naturally aspirated car, 92-octane is the most cost-effective choice, and the engine runs just fine. Forcing 97-octane fuel into such a car is just a waste of money with no benefits. But for high-performance cars, it's the opposite—don't hesitate to use 97-octane when needed. When I drove my friend's AMG, I immediately noticed the engine running rough after filling up with 92-octane. The current gasoline grading standards have changed—what used to be 97-octane now corresponds to 98-octane, with cleaner components after the fuel upgrade. Remember, the octane rating only affects anti-knock performance and has nothing to do with power increase or fuel efficiency.