Will Using 95 Octane Gasoline Damage a Car Designed for 92?
2 Answers
Using 95 octane gasoline in a car designed for 92 octane will not cause damage, but it is not recommended. It is best to refuel according to the vehicle's specified octane rating. Gasoline octane rating reference: The main difference between gasoline with different octane ratings lies in their anti-knock performance, which is an important indicator for measuring fuel quality. Cars with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane gasoline, and if the compression ratio is higher, 98 octane gasoline should be used. Generally, the higher the octane rating, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. Long-term effects of using the wrong gasoline octane rating: Using a higher octane gasoline in a car designed for a lower octane will not cause damage, but the increased octane number can alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease. Conversely, using a lower octane gasoline in a car designed for a higher octane can cause engine knocking, resistance during the upward stroke, and abnormal wear on the piston and cylinder, which in severe cases can lead to cylinder scoring.
As an enthusiast who frequently studies automotive powertrain systems, I believe that switching from 92 to 95 octane gasoline generally does not harm the car. The reason lies in the different octane ratings—92 is low octane, while 95 is medium octane, primarily affecting the engine's combustion efficiency. If the car was originally designed to use 92 octane, switching to 95 may actually improve performance, such as reducing knocking and making the engine run smoother with less noise. However, this is not mandatory, as most modern engines can adapt to different octane fuels as long as the octane rating is not lower than the recommended value. That said, it's worth noting that using higher-octane fuel over the long term may increase costs but has no negative impact on engine lifespan. In summary, replacing 92 with 95 octane is harmless in most cases and may even offer some benefits, but the safest approach is to refer to the vehicle manual's fuel recommendations.
