What Octane Gasoline Should a Car Use?
2 Answers
The appropriate octane rating for a car depends on the type of vehicle. Cars with ordinary naturally aspirated engines can use 92 octane gasoline. Turbocharged or high-compression ratio cars require 95 octane gasoline. High-end luxury or high-performance vehicles may need 98 octane gasoline. Standard Refueling: Some cars can use 92 octane gasoline, while others require 95 octane. The recommended gasoline type for your vehicle is documented in the owner's manual. Overuse of High-Octane Gasoline: Many people are keen on using high-octane gasoline, even viewing the octane rating as an indicator of fuel purity and quality. In reality, the octane rating only represents the gasoline's anti-knock properties (its resistance to premature ignition) and has no relation to purity or quality. Improper Refueling: For example, if an engine designed for 92 octane gasoline is forced to use 95 octane, it may experience "delayed combustion"—where the fuel doesn't ignite completely at the intended compression point, leading to incomplete combustion, pollution, and waste.
I remember feeling quite confused when I first bought my car, unsure about which fuel grade to use. After driving for over a decade, I've learned that the owner's manual is the best guide for fuel selection. Different car models have different requirements—for example, regular family cars usually run fine on 92 octane, while higher grades like 95 are often a waste of money and don’t necessarily boost performance. The key is matching the fuel to the engine’s compression ratio. Using a lower grade than recommended can cause knocking and engine damage, while higher grades just burn extra cash without benefits. For maintenance, I make it a habit to regularly check fuel tank cleanliness, as clogged fuel lines can be a major headache. Economically speaking, 92 octane is affordable and practical—saving a few yuan per liter adds up to significant annual savings. Safe driving also depends on proper fuel selection, as using the wrong grade carries real risks. In short, the manual is your best reference—don’t fall for marketing hype.
