What happens if you put 95 gasoline in a car that requires 92?
2 Answers
Generally, there is not much impact if you put 95 gasoline in a car that requires 92, but using higher-octane gasoline will not increase power because the engine's compression ratio does not meet the standard. After switching to 95, the anti-knock performance will definitely be better than before, naturally preventing knocking, and fuel consumption will basically remain unaffected. The main function of gasoline octane ratings is to indicate anti-knock performance, and it has no relation to the quality of the gasoline itself. It is not true that higher-octane gasoline contains fewer impurities. The anti-knock substance in fuel is isooctane, with 92-octane gasoline containing 92% isooctane. Higher-octane gasoline offers better combustion stability, preventing the engine from malfunctioning due to knocking, which is why engines designed for 95-octane gasoline should not use 92-octane gasoline.
I drive a decade-old commuter car myself, and the manual clearly specifies using 92-octane gasoline. Once, in a rush at the gas station while running errands, I accidentally selected 95-octane by mistake. Driving on the highway, I noticed no change in handling feel, with power delivery remaining as smooth as usual. Researching online later, I learned that higher-octane fuel mainly prevents engine knocking and offers little benefit for low-compression engines. Instead, it just needlessly costs more per liter—95-octane averages a few cents pricier per liter, adding dozens of yuan extra per full tank. While it won’t harm the engine short-term, doing this long-term is practically burning money. I’ve since wised up and always double-check the fuel grade when refueling—saving money while preserving the car’s condition. For daily commuting, upgrading fuel grade is entirely unnecessary. Remember, the engine is designed for 92-octane’s properties; it’ll run just fine on 95, but your wallet won’t appreciate it. An occasional mistake is fine—just don’t make it a habit, or you’ll waste resources and inflate expenses for no reason.
