What type of fuel should the Enclave GX use?
3 Answers
The Enclave GX is recommended to use 95 or higher octane fuel for optimal performance. Enclave gasoline compression ratio: "The higher the compression ratio, the higher the required gasoline octane rating. A compression ratio of 7.5-8.0 should use 90-93 octane gasoline; a compression ratio of 8.0-8.5 should use 90-93 octane gasoline; a compression ratio of 8.5-9.0 should use 93-95 octane gasoline; a compression ratio of 9.5-10.0 should use 95-97 octane gasoline." (The Enclave has a compression ratio of 9.5), while the manual specifies 92 or above, but recommends 93 and 97. Gasoline grade categories: Gasoline has a high octane number (anti-knock combustion performance) and is divided into grades such as 90, 93, 95, and 97 based on the octane value. Gasoline is refined from various gasoline components obtained through petroleum refining, including straight-run gasoline components, catalytic cracking gasoline components, and catalytic reforming gasoline components, blended with high-octane components. It is primarily used as fuel for spark-ignition internal combustion engines in automobiles.
I've been driving the Enclave GX for almost two years, and the fuel cap clearly states to use 92-octane or higher gasoline. I usually fill up with 92-octane, and it runs perfectly fine while saving money. During occasional gas station promotions, I’ve tried 95-octane a few times and noticed slightly smoother power response, but for daily commuting, it’s really not worth the extra cost. Be especially careful not to cheap out on low-quality fuel—a friend of mine once filled up at a sketchy gas station with discounted fuel, and it triggered the engine warning light, costing hundreds to clean the fuel system, which ended up being more expensive. Remember, the fuel cap label is the most accurate—92-octane is more than enough.
As a seasoned mechanic with over a decade of experience in repair shops, I've worked on many Envision GXs. The manufacturer explicitly specifies using 92-octane or higher gasoline, and for most owners, 92-octane is perfectly sufficient. In fact, I've seen several vehicles that consistently used 95-octane fuel develop more severe spark plug carbon deposits—higher octane fuel burns at higher temperatures. The key is not to mix different octane ratings. I had one customer who alternated between 92 and 95, and their fuel injectors became severely clogged. And if you find yourself in a remote area with only 92-octane available, don't panic—this car's engine has a knock sensor that automatically adjusts the ignition timing. Using a few tanks of 92 temporarily won't cause any issues.
