Will Using 95 Octane Gasoline in the Tenth-Generation Accord Be Counterproductive?

[DeKing]

The tenth-generation Accord should not use 95 octane gasoline, as it would be counterproductive. Instead, 92 octane gasoline is recommended, as specified in the vehicle's official user manual. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the user manual, you can also find it labeled on the fuel tank cap of the tenth-generation Accord. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with a compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, those between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane, and higher compression ratios may require 98 octane. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the gasoline grade, as high-compression engines can be tuned to use lower-octane fuel. Other factors, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology, also play a role. Generally, higher-octane gasoline has a higher octane rating and better anti-knock properties. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the tenth-generation Accord occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switching back to the correct grade after consumption is sufficient. However, prolonged use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower-octane fuel, using higher-octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increased octane rating alters the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher-octane fuel, using lower-octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. The significantly lower octane rating lowers the fuel's ignition point, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is created during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unevenly. Mild knocking may only increase noise without noticeable engine damage, but severe knocking indicates serious engine issues, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to cylinder scoring in extreme cases.