What grade of gasoline should the Buick GL8 use?
3 Answers
The Buick GL8 should use 95-octane gasoline. The Buick GL8 is equipped with a turbocharged engine, which requires the use of 95-octane gasoline. For older models with naturally aspirated engines, 92-octane gasoline can be used. Turbocharged engines operate at higher temperatures and pressures inside the cylinders, so higher-octane gasoline with better stability is necessary. The Buick GL8's front suspension uses a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension uses a torsion beam non-independent suspension. The ES version and Avenir models feature a multi-link independent rear suspension. Using a torsion beam rear suspension helps maximize rear passenger space and trunk capacity, which are important considerations for MPV models.
I've been driving this Buick GL8 for four years and always use 92-octane gasoline. The fuel filler cap clearly states that 92-octane or higher is recommended, and the manual also emphasizes that 92-octane is sufficient. Initially, I was worried that 92-octane might lack power, but in practice, it performs perfectly fine—highway overtaking is just as powerful. Plus, 92-octane is significantly cheaper than 95-octane, saving me over a thousand yuan in fuel costs each year. However, it's important not to go for cheap gas at small, unreliable gas stations, as poor-quality fuel can easily clog the fuel injectors. My friend's older GL8 has been running on 92-octane for five years without any engine issues.
If you've just got your hands on a GL8, you'll find the fuel grade label when you open the fuel filler cap. Buick officially recommends using 92 octane or higher unleaded gasoline, which I've confirmed by checking the maintenance manual. In fact, modern engines are equipped with knock sensors, so 92 octane fully meets the compression ratio requirements. While 95 octane has better anti-knock properties, the GL8 isn't a sports car—using premium fuel is just a waste of money. Last time during a customer's maintenance service, we chatted about how using 95 octane actually increased his fuel consumption by 0.3 liters, likely due to incomplete combustion from the higher octane rating. Remember to change the air filter regularly—that's far more practical than obsessing over fuel grades.
