What Type of Fuel Should China VI Vehicles Use?
4 Answers
China VI vehicles should be refueled according to the manufacturer's requirements. There is usually a fuel grade recommendation indicated on the fuel tank cap of the vehicle. As long as the fuel grade meets or exceeds the vehicle's specified requirement, it is acceptable. China VI refers to the National Sixth Stage Emission Standard for motor vehicles, which is divided into two phases: China VIa and China VIb. Phase a was implemented starting in 2020, while Phase b began in 2023. Emission standards are established to control vehicle pollutant emissions. To curb the production of these harmful gases and encourage automobile manufacturers to improve their products to reduce emissions at the source, various countries have formulated relevant vehicle emission standards.
I've been driving a China VI standard car for two years and always use 95-octane fuel. The 4S shop guy said this is a hard requirement. Although 92-octane is cheaper, the China VI engine has a high compression ratio, and using lower-octane fuel can easily cause knocking, with the dashboard warning light frequently coming on. Once in the countryside, I had no choice but to use 92-octane when 95 wasn't available, and the engine sounded like a tractor buzzing. Nowadays, gas stations everywhere have ethanol gasoline (like E10), and the fuel cap will clearly indicate whether it can be used. Remember, using the wrong fuel can affect the exhaust treatment system, and repairs cost much more than the fuel savings—this money really can't be saved. Spending an extra hundred or so on fuel each month is much more economical than spending thousands on car repairs.
Last week, I just had my China VI emission standard car serviced, and the mechanic specifically reminded me to refuel according to the label on the fuel tank cap. Most China VI cars require 95 or 98 octane gasoline. Lower octane fuel burns incompletely, causing carbon deposit issues twice as severe as older models, and can also clog the Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF). A friend's car used 92 octane for three months, and the catalytic converter was completely ruined. Some car owners think 95 octane is 7% more expensive than 92 and not worth it, but if you calculate, it's only about a thousand yuan more per year, yet it can extend the engine's lifespan by several years. It's recommended to add a bottle of the original fuel system cleaner every month, which is especially effective for direct injection engines.
The first thing to do after buying a new car is to read the manual. China VI vehicles must use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 95 or higher. Last week, a neighbor tried to save money by filling up with 92-octane fuel, and the next day, all the engine warning lights came on, costing 500 just for the tow truck. Gasoline octane ratings aren't about quality but indicate anti-knock performance. For China VI cars, it's recommended to clean the fuel injectors every 20,000 kilometers—severe carbon buildup can cause fuel consumption to skyrocket. Always choose reputable gas stations; small, unregulated ones often have fuel with more impurities, which can severely damage high-pressure fuel pumps.
