Do Audis Require Premium Gas? (All US Models)

We’ve written multiple in-depth articles about the fuel requirements that involve different Audi models. In this blog, we’ve compiled this information to answer whether Audis require premium gasoline or whether this is a myth. Here’s a quick summary:

All current Audi models sold in the North American market require premium gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. In some cases, gasoline with an octane rating of 87 – 90 can be used temporarily if premium gasoline is unavailable. However, this depends on the model.

However, that certainly doesn’t tell the full story. Below, we’ll first dive deeper into why one would need to use premium instead of regular gasoline for their Audi. After that, we’ll give you a complete rundown of all the Audi models sold in the USA in the past decade or so, and their fuel requirements. Read on!

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Why Should I Use Premium Gasoline For My Audi?

Audi recommends using premium gasoline for their models because their engines were designed to take a minimum of 91-octane. Not using premium gasoline is possible sometimes, but this depends on the model (more on that in a second).

Not using premium gasoline will result in a decrease in performance and possible engine damage. The performance decrease will come from the fact that the engine can’t handle the lower octane grade and, therefore, can’t perform as it’s designed to do.

Using premium gasoline is also especially important in cases where the vehicle is performing, such as when towing or driving uphill.

Lower-octane gasoline doesn’t deliver as much power as higher-octane gasoline. Furthermore, the engine and the computers are designed to use higher-octane gasoline, whereas lower-octane gasoline messes up the combustion configuration.

Furthermore, lower-octane gasoline (87 octane or less) will result in severe engine damage and severe engine knocking. Therefore, stick with Audis’ recommendations.

Fuel Recommendations For Each Audi Model

It goes without saying that each Audi model, and each generation, has different gasoline requirements and your Audi dealership should send you off with what you need to know.

But if they don’t, we’ve written articles on this already. You can find extensive articles for each model by clicking on “Read more here” after each model.

Below, you’ll find a quick summary for each model regarding octane recommendations. This list only includes models sold in the United States.

It’s important to know that we grouped A-series, S-series and RS-series together. This is because, after checking all the owners manuals, we can state that Audi recommends the same for each model e.g. the A3 has the same fuel recommendations as the S3 and the RS3.

A3/S3/RS3

Audi A3, manufactured from 2003 onwards, takes regular, unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87. However, 91 octane is recommended for optimum engine performance. For Audi A3 with a diesel engine, Audi recommends using ULSD Number 2 type diesel fuel.

Regarding ethanol percentages, Audi A3 made up until 2012 can take a maximum of 10% ethanol, whereas models from 2013 onwards can take a maximum of 15% ethanol. The only exception to this is when the vehicle is a FlexFuel vehicle, which means it can take 85% ethanol. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

A4/S4

All generations of Audi A4 manufactured from 2004 onwards take regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87. However, Audi recommends using premium gasoline with an octane rating of 91 for optimum performance.

ethanol-blended fuels may be used for the Audi A4, but to do so, one must ensure that the ethanol blend should not exceed 15% for model years made from 2015 onwards. A4 made before 2015 (up until 2014) take a maximum of 10% ethanol. The only exception to this is when the vehicle is a FlexFuel vehicle, which means it can take 85% ethanol. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

A5/S5/RS5

All generations of the Audi A5 have premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 recommended for optimum performance. However, regular 87-octane gasoline can temporarily be used when premium gasoline is unavailable.

ethanol-blended fuels may be used for the Audi A5, but to do so, one must ensure that the ethanol blend should not exceed 10% for the first generation or 15% for the second generation. The only exception to this is when the vehicle is a FlexFuel vehicle, which means it can take 85% ethanol. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

A6/S6/RS6

For all generations of the A6, Audi recommends using premium unleaded gasoline with 91 octane for optimum performance. However, most generations (except for the second generation) can also use 87 octane when 91 octane is unavailable. A6 with a diesel engine use ultra-low sulfur diesel number 2.

Only use fuel that contains a maximum of 15% ethanol for A6 made from 2015 onwards. A6 made before 2015 (up until 2014) can take a maximum of 10% ethanol. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

A7/S7/RS7

Audi recommends premium 91 octane fuel for all generations of the Audi A7.

87-octane may be used temporarily whenever premium gasoline is not available. A7 that have a diesel engine take ULSD No. 2.

Furthermore, Audi A7 made up until 2014 can take a maximum of 10% ethanol, whereas models made from 2015 onwards can also take 15% ethanol.

A8/S8/R8

Audi A8 manufactured from 1994 onwards take premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 for optimum performance. 87-octane may be used temporarily in the A8 whenever premium gasoline is not available. A8 that have a diesel engine take ULSD No. 2.

Furthermore, Audi A8 made up until 2014 can take a maximum of 10% ethanol, whereas models made from 2015 onwards can also take 15% ethanol.

Q3

All generations of the Audi Q3 have premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 recommended for optimum performance. However, regular 87-octane gasoline can temporarily be used when premium gasoline is unavailable.

Only use fuel that contains a maximum of 15% ethanol for any generation of the Audi Q3. E-10 and E-15 can, therefore, safely be used, whereas E-85 will result in severe damage to the engine. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

Q5/SQ5

All generations of the Audi Q5 have premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 recommended for optimum performance. However, regular 87 octane gasoline can temporarily be used when premium gasoline is unavailable. Q5 with a diesel engine use ultra-low sulfur diesel number 2.

Furthermore, all model years of the Q5 can take gasoline with an ethanol percentage of a maximum of 15%. The only exception to this is when the vehicle is a FlexFuel vehicle, which means it can take 85% ethanol. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

Q7/SQ7

All generations of the Audi Q7 sold in the United States and manufactured from 2007 onwards have premium, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher recommended. However, they can temporarily take 87 octane if premium gasoline is unavailable.

All model years of the Audi Q7 that have a diesel engine use ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) No. 2. which meets ASTM 0975 standards.

Regarding ethanol percentages, the 2007 – 2015 model years of the Audi Q7 can take gasoline with a maximum of 10% ethanol. Q7s manufactured from 2016 onwards can take gasoline with a maximum of 15% ethanol. Read more here about its fuel requirements.

Q8/SQ8

All generations of the Audi Q8 sold in the United States and manufactured from 2019 onwards have premium, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher recommended. However, they can temporarily take 87 octane if premium gasoline is unavailable.

Furthermore, all model years of the Audi Q8 can take gasoline with an ethanol percentage of 15%.

Audi TT

All generations of the Audi TT sold in the United States and manufactured from 1998 onwards have premium, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher recommended. However, they can temporarily take 87 octane if premium gasoline is unavailable.

Furthermore, all model years of the Audi TT made from 2015 onwards can take gasoline with an ethanol percentage of 15%. Models made between 1998 – 2014 can take a maximum of 10% ethanol.

What Other Things To Consider When Refueling Your Audi?

Besides the octane and ethanol levels, there are other things to consider when refueling. Two of the most common things that should be taken into account are the use of additives and where you get your gasoline from (yes, there are differences between retailers).

Aftermarket additives are available in places like Amazon and are marketed as either being performance-enhancing or as a helpful substance that cleans the internals of your engine. However, Audi strictly recommends against the use of aftermarket additives.

This is because these additives may contain silicon or metallic pieces that actually harm your engine more than they clean it. This is damage that’s not covered by any warranty. Furthermore, using gasoline from the correct retailer will provide your engine with all the fuel additives it needs.

For this reason, Audi recommends using gasoline from TOP TIER retailers. You can find a retailer like this at toptiergas.com. TOP TIER is an initiative that several large carmakers in the United States support. Gasoline from these retailers has a higher amount of additives that have proven to keep your engine much cleaner in the long run. Below, you can see the difference between TOP TIER and non-TOP TIER gasoline.

What If I Hear A Knocking Sound From The Engine?

Furthermore, using fuels with an octane rating lower than 87 in any Audi will result in severe damage to the engine, which is indicated by a symptom referred to as engine knock.

Engine knock means that the fuel can’t be adequately burned, resulting in a heavy knocking sound of the engine. A slight knocking sound is never a problem, but heavy knocking should be dealt with immediately.

Please stop the vehicle and contact your dealers if this heavy knocking occurs. You’re likely using fuel with a lower-than-recommended octane rating. The car needs to be drained, the fuel filter will need to be replaced, and the battery will need to be disconnected and reconnected to reset the car’s memory.