Audi A4 2.0T and 87 octane fuel

[agiveon]

I recently bought an Audi A4 2.0T and it says on the gas cap that I should use a 91 and higher octane.

This is a leased car and I am an "average commuter"... that is, I really do not care about performance... if anything, with gas prices, I care about how much I pay at the pump...

I have been using 87 octane. Is that going to cause some problems in the future? Is there a CHEAP solution to this?

 

[obi_waynne]

It will only really cause major problems at high load or high rpm - if you notice pinging or rough running I would move up to unleaded. We can't buy anything under 95 octane in the UK - where are you from?

This article should explain octane to you in more detail. http://www.torquecars.com/articles/fuel-octane-ratings.php

 

[agiveon]

I am in the US... California, Los Angeles... I can buy 87, 91 and 95 octane.

Would the engine run more quietly with higher octane?

 

[Shao]

possibly - but if its a lease car then who cares? Did find that odd how low octane your fuel is and how cheap it was! was around $2.50 a gallon last time was there, how much is it now?

 

[obi_waynne]

It should be more efficient on higher octane. You will get more power and therefore need less fuel to get the same speed. I tend to find that economy is better with the higher octane if you reach your makers requirements. Its worth comparing a tank of each and see which gives the most mileage.

Shao - $2.50 a gallon we're paying that per litre at the moment!

 

[Shao]

I know was great!

 

[agiveon]

It is just over $4.00 per gallon (87 octane).... insane...

 

[Shao]

It is just over $4.00 per gallon (87 octane).... insane...

Yeah try insane here were paying nearly $9 per gallon!

 

[agiveon]

I am not sure where "here" is... but my guess is that you earn your salary in Euros (or pounds)...

 

[pgarner]

pounds here, well most of us. we seem to be reaching out far.

we now have members over with you and as far the other way in Delhi

yeah a gallon on 95 octane is around £4.90 ($9.30)
98 octane is over £5 ($9.50)

 

[HDi fun]

Do remember that a US gallon is only 3.8 litres where ours is 4.54

 

[pgarner]

yeah keep forgetting that :embarrest:

 

[obi_waynne]

So the US cars quoted MPG figures are much better than they seem? (or is it worse - umm math question!)