What are the effects of filling a car designed for 95 octane with 92 octane fuel?
2 Answers
Using 92 octane gasoline in a car designed for 95 octane can affect the spark plugs and cylinders, and in severe cases, may cause engine knocking. This issue arises due to the difference in octane ratings. Mixing fuels with different octane ratings can lead to adverse effects on the vehicle. Hazards of mixing gasoline: The gasoline engine is prone to knocking. Prolonged engine knocking can lead to faults such as piston sintering and piston ring breakage, accelerating the wear and tear of engine components. This can result in the engine's inability to suppress knocking, which is particularly noticeable when the vehicle is idling. Additionally, it can increase carbon deposits in the engine, leading to a series of indirect damages such as increased fuel consumption and accelerated wear. Difference between 92 octane and 95 octane gasoline: The only difference lies in the octane rating, which represents the fuel's resistance to knocking during combustion. Higher octane ratings indicate better anti-knock properties. It is recommended to use the gasoline grade specified on the fuel tank cap or in the vehicle maintenance manual.
My old car has a 95-octane engine, and I accidentally filled it with 92-octane fuel before. It didn't feel right when driving. The engine made a clicking sound during acceleration, accompanied by slight shaking, the RPM couldn't go up, and the power was noticeably reduced. This is because 92-octane fuel has poor anti-knock performance, causing premature ignition under high compression, leading to uneven combustion and damage to internal parts. Using one tank of it for a short time isn't a big problem, but long-term use can increase carbon deposits, reduce fuel efficiency, and even damage spark plugs or cylinder walls. So after I quickly used up that tank and switched back to 95-octane, the car ran smoothly again. I suggest other car owners not to save money by using 92-octane fuel to avoid minor issues turning into major repairs.
