Just leased a 2011 a4. I've read around this forum and it seems that filling up at the recommended octane is a 'must do'. My wife thinks otherwise. I'm on the fence. She says 87 is fine, given that it is a leased car and we only have it for a few years so we wont have to deal with the aftermath. She has a point. I want to hear your thoughts on the issue.

 

She may have a point, if you don't care about your car....
I care about mine, so I use minimum 91 oct. Also, many people feel your fuel mileage suffers a little when not using the proper octane rated fuel. It is well documented that your performance will suffer a little. So long as your car is not modded, it is unlikely that you risk doing any serious damage, though.

 

 

Your link mostly refers to the lack of advantages of using premium in a car with a recommendation of 87 oct (while it does state to always put on the manufacturers recommended oct). Audi's state to use only min 91 oct. If you don't, your car will pull timing to avoid knock, and this will hurt performance, though it will seem to run perfectly, this is because your car is basically de-tuning itself to prevent it from running like s@&$ on low oct.

 

Sorry, but your wife is ignorant. If she wanted to save money, she should have gotten a Honda/Hyundai I would see this similar to owning a big home just to show off to people, yet you have no furniture inside.

 

Sorry, but your response is ignorant and your analogy to a house makes no sense. Certainly of no use to the OP.

As Jordan noted, you can run lower octane and if the car runs to your satisfaction it's fine. It will adjust timing to avoid knocking and may or may not have any noticeable impact on your performance or mileage, depending on driving style and conditions. I ran my '98 turbo Volvo on 87-89 almost exclusively for over 280, 000 km and it still runs fine. I tried 91-93(which it calls for) on several occasions but couldn't tell any difference. My driving is/was moderate and about 70% highway at that time. These days my mileage is way down (retired) and I'm driving in the mountains, so I choose to use higher octane in the A4.

 

According to Honda and Hyundai's manufacturers, they too need premium grade fuel to perform at optimal levels. In the future, please refrain from verbally attacking another person's (our their better half in this case) character by use of offensive and immature comments! I see no reason for the vulgar act of aggression and your lack of this person's regards is disturbing. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

 

Totally agree Mona!

 

If you can afford an Audi, then the extra cost on gas is not an issue to you. Its $6 more per fill roughly, for the extra performance and piece of mind that is not a high cost at all. If you fill up roughly once per week thats $24 per month thats $288 per year. Lets say its $400 even, you pay more for your cable TV probably. I understand that the car isn't yours at the end of the lease, but in my opinion if you couldn't afford the extra $300 per year you shouldn't have looked at an Audi. In Europe the cost of gas is significantly more and they don't complain. Back at the boom I was paying $1.50 for premium still wouldn't sacrifice the car even though I knew I was going to sell it a year later.

Imagine what sort of issues you are handing of to the next guy, someone that is looking to buy your vehicle after the lease.

Sorry its a touchy subject for me as I just cant stand people not taking proper care of the car, such a great piece of engineering and what took years of efforts to get peak performance out of, you simply brush all the intelligence of by saving a few dollars in your pocket.

I don't mean to offend you in anyway or be rude, but if that was the case you should have looked at another car.

It happens often people get problems and come on here and complain as to why their car is making weird noises etc. And if any issues arise prior to the lease you are responsible.

 

I have 2 cars now that specify 91 octane or better - and I use it in both of them... it doesnt bother me.

... but from a technical side of things, you can use 87 octane for the 2 years you lease that car and you wont know the difference.

Personally I wouldnt...

For us guys who buy second hand cars instead of new off the lot - these are the challenges we face with the used cars... you will never be able to tell 6 years from now that someone did or didnt use 91 octane in their car when they should have...

Chad