What should I do if I accidentally filled up with 92 octane gasoline instead of 95?
2 Answers
If your car originally used 95 octane gasoline and you accidentally filled it with 92 octane, there generally won't be any significant impact. Here is some relevant information about automotive gasoline: 1. Gasoline octane rating: The octane rating primarily indicates the ratio of a gasoline's anti-knock properties compared to standard gasoline (knock resistance). Standard gasoline consists of isooctane and n-heptane. The higher the octane rating, the stronger the anti-knock performance. 2. The difference between 95 and 92 octane gasoline: 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane, with the remaining 5% being n-heptane. The higher the proportion of isooctane, the better the gasoline's anti-knock capability. In other words, 92 octane gasoline is more prone to knocking but has less explosive force, while 95 octane gasoline is less prone to knocking but has greater explosive force.
I just experienced this when I accidentally filled up with the wrong fuel! Generally speaking, don't panic too much - most modern cars can handle it, since mixing in one tank of 92 octane occasionally isn't a big deal. I drive a German car that's supposed to take 95 octane, but last week I quickly selected 92 at the pump and realized my mistake right after filling up. The engine didn't make any knocking sounds while running, but acceleration at low speeds felt a bit sluggish. My advice is don't rush to restart or tinker with it - just finish this tank and you can go back to using 95 normally. Mixing fuels occasionally won't directly damage the engine, but making this mistake long-term is no good, as it increases knocking risks that can harm internal components. Next time before refueling, check the fuel cap reminder and avoid frequently switching grades to keep your engine in top condition. Get in the habit of double-checking - always look at the pump label before fueling to prevent future mistakes.
