What is the difference between 95 and 98 gasoline?
3 Answers
The differences between 95 and 98 gasoline are as follows: Different isooctane content: 95 gasoline has 95% isooctane; 98 gasoline has 98% isooctane. Different n-heptane content: 95 gasoline has 3% n-heptane; 98 gasoline has 2% n-heptane. Below is relevant information about gasoline: Definition of gasoline: Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid obtained through distillation, cracking, or pyrolysis of petroleum. Function of gasoline: Primarily used as fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. It mainly consists of organic compounds obtained from crude oil distillation and various additives.
As a veteran taxi driver with years of experience, I have to say the biggest difference between 95 and 98 octane fuel is the thickness of your wallet. 95 octane is significantly cheaper—in Beijing, filling up a tank can save you 20-30 yuan, which is a great deal for us drivers who are constantly on the road. The key point is that 95 octane is perfectly adequate for most regular cars and won’t cause any issues, unless you’re driving a high-performance sports car—otherwise, there’s no need to upgrade to 98. I used to drive an old Passat that ran on 95 octane for 10 years without major repairs, just regular maintenance. Sure, 98 octane has a higher anti-knock index and better resistance to engine knocking, but for regular engines with lower compression ratios, using 98 might actually lead to carbon buildup, which isn’t worth it. In short, for daily commuting or family cars, don’t bother—save the extra fuel money for household expenses instead. Make it a habit to check your engine and air filter regularly—it’s both cost-effective and hassle-free.
As a young person who recently got a new car, I tried 98-octane fuel and felt a noticeable difference. Normally, 95-octane fuel works fine for commuting and errands without any issues. However, 98-octane gives the car a stronger acceleration, especially when stepping on the gas pedal on the highway—the engine responds more smoothly with less jerking. This is because the higher octane rating improves combustion efficiency, making the engine quieter and smoother. But it does come at a higher cost; each refill hits the wallet harder. Personally, I’d recommend trying 98-octane for sporty or turbocharged cars to experience the performance boost—it’s worth it. For regular economy cars, though, it’s better not to waste the money, as 95-octane is perfectly sufficient for city driving. Ultimately, fuel choice comes down to personal preference and budget—just don’t fall for gas station upsells.
