Octane useage (was Re: [Fwd: Information?])

[quinn@hns.com]

Jim Griffin wrote (and others responded to):
> Can anyone give a definitive answer to Christopher on this one? I told
> him that I thought premium was the right choice, but I figured I'd pass
> it along to the new A4 owners out there.

Snipped original:
> The inside of the fuel tank cover
> says that I should be using premium (91 octane) fuel, but the owners
manual
> recommends anything above 87 octane.  Do you know which one is correct?

I would recommend using premium until well run-in (~5000 miles) -- why risk
anything else for the few dollars savings?   After that, use whatever you
wish.  I usually use 87 octane in my '97 A4Q 2.8.  The engine comes with
knock sensors that can adjust for lower octanes, the only theoretical
impact
being reduction in performance.  However, I notice no difference in
starting,
driveability OR performance in normal driving using 87 oct.

With the 12v engine there is no mention in the owner's manual of "emergency

use only" for lower octanes - it says use anything above 87.

BIG CAVEAT: If your (30v) manual contains this "emergency use" statement
... I would tend to obey it!

-Mark Quinn