What type of gasoline should a Camry use?
2 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Camry should use 92-octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be indicated. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95-octane gasoline. However, with the use of some new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be adjusted to use lower-grade gasoline. This is because, besides the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Camry occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower-grade gasoline, using higher-grade gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number will alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance in actual driving experience. For vehicles recommended to use higher-grade gasoline, using lower-grade gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If the fuel ignites before the spark plug fires during the compression stroke, resistance will occur during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise and does not significantly damage the engine. However, if the knocking is noticeable, it indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.
I've run an auto repair shop for ten years and seen plenty of fuel-related issues with Camrys. These cars come in older and newer models: the older 2.0L engine with an 11:1 compression ratio runs fine on 92 octane, but the 2.5L hybrid performs better with 95 octane due to its higher compression ratio increasing knock risk. The newer turbo models absolutely require 95 octane – otherwise, you'll hear engine knocking during hard acceleration. Long-term use of lower-octane fuel accelerates carbon buildup on piston crowns; I've seen check engine lights trigger at just 50,000 km. Always fill up at Sinopec or PetroChina stations – some independent stations' 92 octane may not meet actual octane ratings. The recommended fuel grade is printed inside the fuel filler flap (it's in the owner's manual too), so don't skip checking it.
