What does 92/95/98 mean?
2 Answers
92, 95, and 98 refer to different gasoline grades. In China, gasoline grades are classified according to the national automotive gasoline standards. 92, 95, and 98 gasoline are the same in terms of oil quality and cleanliness, with the biggest difference being their octane ratings. 98 gasoline contains a slightly higher proportion of anti-knock agents compared to 95 and 92 gasoline. The quality of these gasoline grades is exactly the same, and there is no difference in cleanliness or other aspects. The only difference is the amount of anti-knock agents added, which is designed to meet the different anti-knock requirements of engines with varying compression ratios. For engines with different compression ratios, the choice of gasoline grade varies. High-compression engines should use higher-grade gasoline, while the gasoline grade for low-compression engines can be appropriately lower. For a vehicle designed for low-grade gasoline, mixing in high-grade gasoline will not cause significant damage to the engine in the short term. However, if this practice is continued long-term, blindly pursuing high-grade gasoline will not only fail to utilize its high anti-knock function but may also lead to a phenomenon called "delayed combustion." The ultimate consequence of this phenomenon is incomplete combustion, increased carbon deposits in the engine, environmental pollution, and resource wastage.
This is a common question, and I was curious when I first started driving. The numbers 92/95/98 represent the octane rating of gasoline, which simply indicates the fuel's resistance to knocking. The higher the number, the better the anti-knock performance. Engines are prone to knocking when compressing the air-fuel mixture, and using gasoline with too low an octane rating can cause your car to make knocking noises and even damage the engine. 92 is suitable for ordinary low-compression engines, 95 provides a better balance for mid-range cars, and 98 is ideal for high-performance or turbocharged engines. I strongly recommend checking your vehicle's manual for the recommended octane rating. Using a higher grade than necessary is a waste of money, while using too low a grade can harm your car, affect fuel efficiency, and increase maintenance costs. In the long run, using the right octane rating can also reduce emissions, benefiting both the environment and your wallet.
