On the evening of August 14, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission issued an announcement, stating that since the domestic refined oil product price adjustment on July 31, international crude oil prices have experienced a rapid decline followed by volatile trading. The average price over the 10 working days before this adjustment was lower than the average price over the 10 working days before the previous adjustment. Based on changes in the international crude oil market, the National Development and Reform Commission decided to lower domestic refined oil product prices from 24:00 on August 14, 2026. Specifically, the prices of gasoline and diesel (standard products) will be reduced by 230 yuan per ton and 220 yuan per ton, respectively, from current levels.
Following this adjustment, the price of Guangxi's National VIB standard 89-octane gasoline will be adjusted from 7.47 yuan/liter to 7.30 yuan/liter, a decrease of 0.17 yuan per liter; 92-octane gasoline will drop from 8.03 yuan/liter to 7.84 yuan/liter, a decrease of 0.19 yuan per liter; 95-octane gasoline will be reduced from 8.67 yuan/liter to 8.47 yuan/liter, a decrease of 0.20 yuan per liter; and National VI standard 0 diesel for vehicles will be adjusted from 7.69 yuan/liter to 7.50 yuan/liter, a decrease of 0.19 yuan per liter. All refined oil product operating units must strictly implement and widely publicize the national refined oil product pricing policy, practice clear pricing, and display the refined oil product prices in prominent locations. Local relevant departments should strengthen supervision and inspection of the adjusted refined oil product prices to effectively maintain normal market order. Consumers can report price violations through the 12315 platform.
News Highlights
"Does gasoline expire?" "Can you fill up the tank in summer?" "Is 95-octane gasoline more fuel-efficient than 92-octane gasoline?"... As the weather heats up and the scorching summer approaches, some so-called "fuel-saving tips" are also circulating on time. Are these claims true? In response to the question of whether you can fill up the tank in summer, Ju Yana, a senior expert at the Clean Fuels Research Institute of CNPC's Petrochemical Research Institute, said: "Gasoline has the characteristic of thermal expansion and contraction. As summer temperatures rise, gasoline becomes more volatile, generating a large amount of oil vapor inside the tank, and the internal pressure increases accordingly. The tank needs to reserve some empty space to buffer the expansion of gasoline and the volatilized oil vapor. If the tank is overfilled, leaving insufficient space, the oil vapor and expanded gasoline have nowhere to go, increasing the risk of oil and vapor leakage, posing a safety hazard. It is not advisable to fill the tank too full in summer."
Many car owners also wonder whether gasoline expires. In response, Ju Yana clearly stated: "Gasoline does indeed expire and deteriorate. The key indicator for judging how long gasoline can be stored is the induction period. The olefins in gasoline, especially trace amounts of diolefins, are particularly reactive and easily undergo oxidation reactions with oxygen in the air to produce gum, which is the main reason for gasoline deterioration over time. As for how long gasoline can be stored, it depends not only on the composition of the gasoline itself but also on factors such as storage temperature, storage environment, altitude and air pressure, and the daily operating conditions of the vehicle, which can all affect the shelf life."
Additionally, the online rumor that "95-octane gasoline is more fuel-efficient than 92-octane gasoline" has been debunked by experts. Ju Yana pointed out that the gasoline octane rating represents the fuel's anti-knock performance, with common ratings being 92, 95, and 98. Controlled comparative tests by scientific research institutes have confirmed that under identical test conditions, the average fuel consumption per 100 kilometers for 92-octane gasoline is 6.462 liters, compared to 6.525 liters for 95-octane gasoline. The difference in fuel consumption between the two is extremely small, making the online claim that "higher-octane gasoline saves more fuel" a false proposition.
Gasoline is produced from crude oil through refining and processing. China's current crude oil supply channels are diverse and stable, balancing domestic oilfield extraction with overseas crude oil imports.
Three Quick Tips to Identify Substandard Gasoline
1. Check the appearance. Qualified gasoline is clear and transparent; if the fuel is cloudy, dark in color, or contains suspended impurities, it is likely substandard.
2. Smell the odor. Compliant gasoline has a specific, mild oily smell; if the fuel emits a foul, strongly pungent, or acidic odor, or has a strong fragrance, it indicates a quality risk.
3. Test evaporation. Place a small drop of gasoline on your palm. Genuine gasoline has strong volatility and should completely evaporate within one to two minutes; if it evaporates slowly, leaving an oily film or residue on your hand, it is abnormal.
Industry experts caution that these are only simple daily identification methods. Whether the fuel meets standards must ultimately be verified by specialized testing reports from professional institutions.
Key Points for Seeking Compensation After Using Substandard Gasoline
1. Insurance companies typically do not cover this; liability should be pursued against the offending gas station. According to Niu Huiyuan, a partner at Beijing Yunjia Law Firm, under insurance law, insurance coverage is generally for "accidents" or specific risks like "collisions or overturns." Mechanical damage such as engine corrosion, carbon buildup, or knocking caused by gasoline quality defects falls under issues of "vehicle quality or improper use," rather than the "external, sudden, and unintentional" events covered by insurance policies. In practice, insurance companies commonly list this as an exclusion clause, and rejection of claims has contractual and judicial precedent. Under the Civil Code, if a gas station supplies gasoline that does not meet national mandatory standards, constituting a breach of contract or tort, the car owner has the right to demand compensation for direct losses such as repair costs and loss of use.
2. Properly retain proof of purchase. The fuel receipt is key evidence for seeking rights. With the receipt, car owners can negotiate compensation with the gas station or report the issue to the market supervision department and legally demand compensation.
3. Avoid risks at the source. Legal experts advise that the best way to manage the risk of fuel quality is not to deal with problems after they occur, but to take preventive measures in advance. Car owners should prioritize compliant, branded gas stations with stable fuel supply and robust quality control systems. Choosing standard services from reputable outlets protects vehicle safety with reasonable expenditure, prevents fuel quality disputes at the source, and avoids difficult situations such as claim rejection or difficult compensation recovery after the fact.
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