Which gasoline is the best for honda pcx160cc?

If you've rented a Honda PCX160 in Phuket, you've probably stood at a gas station with three or four nozzle options and no idea which one to point at. Every Thai station has a slightly different lineup — Gasohol 91, Gasohol 95, Gasohol E20, sometimes plain "Gasoline 95" — and getting it wrong feels riskier than it actually is. Here's what Honda Thailand's own specification sheet says the PCX160 needs, what that means at the pump, and what it'll cost you to fill up in 2026.

The Short Answer: Octane 91 or Higher, and E20 Is Fine

According to Honda Thailand's official spec sheet for the PCX160 (the 156.9cc PGM-FI liquid-cooled model with a 12.0:1 compression ratio — the exact bike we rent out), the engine needs unleaded gasoline rated at octane 91 or higher, and Honda explicitly approves fuel blended with up to 20% ethanol (E20). So the old advice you may have read — "minimum octane 91" — is actually correct as a floor. What most articles leave out is the E20 approval and the fact that 91-octane fuel on its own is getting harder to find in Thailand, so in practice you'll almost always end up on something higher anyway.

Worth knowing if you're used to US or Canadian pumps: Thailand rates fuel by RON (Research Octane Number), not the AKI "(R+M)/2" number back home. RON runs about 4-6 points higher for the same fuel, so Thailand's "95" is roughly equivalent to the "91 premium" you'd see in the US — not some exotic high-octane fuel, just the everyday mid-grade option here.

What's Actually on the Pump in Thailand

Thai stations don't sell plain "gasoline" the way you might expect — almost everything is Gasohol, a gasoline-ethanol blend, part of a long-running push to support local sugarcane and cassava-based ethanol production. For a scooter like the PCX160, you'll typically see:

• Gasohol 95 (E10) — 95 RON, 10% ethanol. The standard, widely available choice and what most renters use without thinking twice.
• Gasohol E20 — also rated around 95 RON, 20% ethanol. Cheaper than Gasohol 95 and specifically approved in Honda's manual — a genuinely good option, not a compromise.
• Gasohol 91 — still shows up at some stations (Caltex, for example, still lists it), but Thailand has been phasing it out nationally since 2018-2020 in favor of E20 as the "base" fuel. Don't go out of your way to find it; Gasohol 95 or E20 both clear the PCX160's requirement with room to spare.

Any of these work. Just avoid E85, a high-ethanol flex-fuel blend for specially built cars — it's not on Honda's approved list, though it's rarely offered at bike pumps anyway.

Where to Fill Up: PTT, Shell, Esso, Caltex, Bangchak

Phuket is well covered by Thailand's major chains — PTT (the biggest network), Shell, Caltex, Bangchak, and Esso (now largely folded into Bangchak after a 2023 acquisition, though the signage still shows up around the island). All sell Gasohol 95 and Gasohol E20 side by side, clearly labeled by octane number. Stations here are full-service, so there's no self-serve machine to figure out — just point at the grade you want or say "Gasohol 95" (แก๊สโซฮอล์ 95) or "E20" and hand over cash or a card. Bike pumps are usually separate from car/truck pumps, which also helps avoid mix-ups with diesel.

What It Costs in 2026

As of mid-September 2026, Gasohol 95 runs about 39-40 baht per liter, while Gasohol E20 is noticeably cheaper at roughly 35 baht per liter. Since Honda approves E20 for the PCX160, there's no real downside to choosing it over Gasohol 95 — same octane class, fully within spec, a few baht cheaper every fill-up. Thai fuel prices adjust roughly every two weeks, so treat these as ballpark figures.

Tank Size and Range

The PCX160 has an 8.1-liter fuel tank. Real-world fuel economy runs around 40-50 km per liter depending on riding style, traffic, and load (Honda's own WMTC test-cycle figure is 45.1 km/L, which lines up well with what owners actually report). That's roughly 350-400 km of range on a full tank — plenty for a full day looping around Phuket, from Chalong down to Rawai and back up to Bangtao, with fuel to spare. A full tank costs somewhere between 280 and 325 baht depending on grade.

Renter Tip: Return It With the Same Fuel Level

Like most rental shops in Phuket, we hand over the bike with a certain amount of fuel in the tank and expect it back at roughly the same level — not necessarily full-to-full, but close to what you started with. Take a quick photo of the fuel gauge when you pick up the bike so there's no dispute later, and top up at any station on your way back to the branch if you're running low. It only takes a couple of minutes and a couple hundred baht, and it avoids any awkward conversation about the deposit.

If You Use the Wrong Fuel by Mistake

Because attendants fill the tank and bike/car pumps are separate, putting diesel in a PCX160 is rare — but it happens, usually when someone points at the wrong nozzle in a hurry. If the wrong fuel goes in, don't start the engine, or turn it off immediately if it's already running. Diesel sitting in a PGM-FI injection system can damage the fuel pump and injectors if the engine actually runs on it. Call us or flag down a mechanic to have the tank drained and flushed before starting it again — a straightforward fix if you catch it early, a much more expensive one if you don't.

FAQ

Can I use regular Gasohol 91 in a Honda PCX160?

Yes — 91 octane is Honda's stated minimum. But since Gasohol 91 is being phased out at many Thai stations, you'll most often end up filling with Gasohol 95 or Gasohol E20 instead, both of which comfortably exceed the requirement.

Is Gasohol E20 safe for a rental scooter's engine?

Yes. Honda's own specification for the PCX160 explicitly covers fuel with up to 20% ethanol, so E20 is a normal, approved choice — not a downgrade. It's also usually the cheapest option at the pump.

How much does it cost to fill a PCX160 in Phuket?

With an 8.1-liter tank, a full fill runs roughly 280-325 baht depending on whether you choose Gasohol E20 (around 35 baht/liter) or Gasohol 95 (around 39-40 baht/liter) at current 2026 prices.

How far can I ride on a full tank?

Around 350-400 km under normal riding conditions, based on real-world fuel economy of roughly 40-50 km/L. That's enough for a full day of sightseeing across the island without needing to refuel.

What if I accidentally put diesel in the tank?

Don't start or run the engine. Contact your rental shop or a nearby mechanic to have the tank drained and the fuel system flushed before riding it again. Running the engine on the wrong fuel is what causes the real damage.

Have questions about fuel, routes, or anything else before you pick up your bike? Message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 687 1999 or book your Honda PCX160 directly at changthairentals.com/rent-bike-phuket — we're set up at Chalong, Mai Khao, Phuket Airport, Bangtao, and Phuket Old Town, so there's a branch near wherever your trip starts.