What grade of gasoline should the XC60 use?
3 Answers
Volvo XC60 should use 95-octane gasoline, as recommended in the vehicle's official manual. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will indicate the recommended grade. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with a compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95-octane gasoline. If the compression ratio is higher, 98-octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the use of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the gasoline grade, as high-compression engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane gasoline. Other factors, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology, also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If you occasionally use the wrong gasoline grade in your Volvo XC60, simply switch back to the correct grade after the tank is empty. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: Using a higher-octane gasoline in a vehicle designed for a lower grade will not cause damage, but the increased octane number can alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. Using a lower-octane gasoline in a vehicle designed for a higher grade can cause engine knocking. The significantly lower octane number lowers the fuel's ignition point, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is created during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. Mild knocking may only increase noise without obvious engine damage, but severe knocking indicates serious engine conditions. The vibrations not only affect driving stability but also cause abnormal wear on the pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to severe damage like cylinder scoring.
After driving the XC60 for so many years, I've always used 95-octane fuel, as the manual clearly recommends 95-octane or higher. While 92-octane fuel is cheaper, its octane rating isn't high enough, and the engine may experience knocking under high temperatures. In mild cases, this can lead to sluggish acceleration and increased fuel consumption, while severe cases can damage piston components, with repairs costing thousands. 95-octane fuel offers better anti-knock performance, ensuring smoother engine operation, quicker starts, and reduced noise after refueling. Remember to check the spark plugs and fuel system every 10,000 kilometers—cleaning carbon deposits is crucial to maintaining the car's health even after 100,000 kilometers.
The official recommendation for the XC60 is 95-octane fuel. Although the price is slightly higher than 92-octane, I insist on using it because it saves money in the long run. Using 92-octane increases fuel consumption by nearly 20%. If you drive 20,000 kilometers a year, you'll spend over 1,000 yuan more on gasoline, and it's more likely to trigger the engine light, requiring additional repairs. 95-octane fuel ensures low pollution emissions, is environmentally friendly, and worry-free. When refueling, choose reputable gas stations to avoid low-quality fuel with excessive impurities that can clog the fuel lines. During maintenance, check the fuel color and combustion efficiency as well.
