What are the effects of using 92 octane gasoline in a car designed for 95 octane?
2 Answers
Occasionally using 92 octane gasoline in a car designed for 95 octane has minimal impact on the vehicle. As long as the driver avoids aggressive driving and the engine does not continuously operate at high speeds above 4000 RPM, there should be no significant issues. However, it is still advisable to avoid using the wrong gasoline grade as it may reduce engine performance. Here are some relevant points: 1. Gasoline Octane Rating: The octane rating of gasoline represents the ratio of the actual gasoline's anti-knock properties to those of standard gasoline. The higher the octane rating, the stronger the anti-knock performance. 2. Standard Gasoline: Standard gasoline is composed of isooctane and n-heptane. A higher octane rating does not necessarily mean better performance; the appropriate gasoline grade should be selected based on the engine's compression ratio.
I know this all too well from experience. One time at the gas station, they accidentally filled my turbocharged car with 92-octane fuel, and I immediately noticed something was wrong that day. The engine was shaking violently, and there was a knocking sound during acceleration. Later, I found out it was called engine knocking. The mechanic explained that using lower-octane fuel in a high-compression engine causes premature combustion, pushing against the pistons as they move upward. At best, it reduces power and increases fuel consumption; at worst, it can damage the pistons and connecting rods. Now, I always double-check the octane rating when refueling—no more carelessness. After all, a single major engine repair could cost the equivalent of five years' worth of the price difference between 92 and 95-octane fuel.
