What Happens If I Don’t Put Premium Gas in My Audi?

Audi is one of the most popular and most sought-after vehicles for a variety of reasons. 

Firstly, this German-made car’s high-tech features and AWD technology are unrivaled in terms of performance and reliability. 

Additionally, Audi offers top-of-the-line luxury cars that come equipped with cutting-edge features that make them remain at the top of the best-seller list. 

There are many Audi makes and models that come with a variety of engine options to fit a wide range of driving styles. 

To have a vehicle for everyone, Audi’s lineup of sedans and SUVs come with different configurations to suit different locations and driving preferences. 

Some Audi models and trim levels will run on diesel, while others will run on gas. 

At the same time, some models require premium gas, while others run efficiently on regular gas or either.

It is essential to understand the right fuel type for your vehicle and not compromise by using fuel that is not recommended for your Audi car. 

What Happens If I Don’t Put Premium Gas in My Audi?

By not putting premium gas in your Audi, you risk damaging your Audi’s engine and even causing damage to other parts of the vehicle. Because most Audis come standard with direct injection and turbocharged engines, they will ideally run on premium gasoline. Continued use of this bad habit will lead to costly maintenance costs. 

If your Audi has been designed to run on premium gas, you will be doing it a disservice by using low-grade fuel. 

It is recommended to use the fuel type recommended by the manufacturer on the owner’s manual. 

On the other hand, some Audis are designed to use regular gas; for such cars, using premium gas will not harm the engine, but neither will it enhance the performance of your Audi. 

Premium vs. Regular Gas: What Fuel Type Does Your Audi Need?

Does premium gas make a difference? To answer this, we must first understand the type of fuel that your Audi needs. 

It is vital to know the specific fuel type that the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.

If your Audi has a turbocharger, you will require premium gas. 

All turbocharged vehicles like the 2.0-liter Audi A4 turbocharger should be filled with premium gas.

But this doesn’t mean that they will run well on regular gas.

Only that when filled with regular gas, the performance will be compromised, and repeated use of low-grade fuel may cause damages to your Audi’s engine and associated parts.

Therefore, to perform at its peak level, it is recommended to use premium gas only if possible. 

However, other Audis, such as the TT, are naturally aspirated and can run on regular gas without a problem. 

The most popular turbocharged Audi models that require premium gas include Audi S6, RS 6 Avant, A, A5, R8, RS 7, S4, and RS 3. 

With over 38 different models of Audi in the market today, it is clear that most of the Audi models can run efficiently on regular gas. 

Turbocharged sedans and Audi SUVs are the only notable Audi models that require premium gas. 

Does Premium Gas Give Better Mileage on Audi?

Using premium gas on your Audi doesn’t guarantee that you will get better mileage. 

If your Audi is turbocharged, it means that it must use premium gas for fuel efficiency and optimal performance. 

Using regular gas on such a vehicle will only cause the vehicle to perform below its inherent capabilities. High-performance Audis will perform better when running on premium gas to give the design power.

For example, to get 540-hp from an Audi R8, it must be filled with the manufacturer’s recommended premium gas. 

This 5.2-liter V10 engine is powerful and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. 

If this heavy-duty engine is filled with regular gas (accidentally or intentionally), it will not give out the design power output. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I use regular gas in a premium Audi?

A large number of Audi vehicles run on regular gas. 

Also, newer vehicle models have engine configurations that will adjust to the type of fuel it is fed with. 

But this should not be the norm because, in the long term, it will lead to damages to the engine and other parts of the entire vehicle system. 

You can get away with this, but it is still recommended to stick with the type of fuel that the vehicle was built for. 

But on rare occasions when the only fuel available is the regular fuel, it is OK to use it with the idea of refilling it with the recommended gas type in the next pump. 

In case you have filled your premium Audi with regular gas, it is a good idea to drive until the tank is empty before filling it back up with the ideal premium gas. 

Can I use premium gas with a 93 octane rating on my Audi?

Yes, if you wish to use the 93 Octane in your Audi, there is no problem. 

Different states will have distinct standard octane ratings for their premium fuel.

The higher the octane rating, the more costly the fuel is likely to be, and yet, it will perform the same function on your Audi as the 91 octane premium gas. 

Also, for high-performance vehicles like the Audi R8, the 93 octane premium gas is the most ideal. 

Other Audi high-performance models will work well with the standard octane ratings of 90 – 91. 

Does premium gas clean your engine?

Premium gas indeed contains an additive that can be used as detergents to clean up your fuel system and injectors. But this is also true for regular gas. 

Today, all fuel types come standard with cleaning additives. 

Thus, the cleaning aspect of premium gas doesn’t justify the additional cost incurred to use it.

Instead, you can easily add specific engine cleaning additives to your regular gas and get the same results. 

Does premium gas add horsepower to my Audi?

No. The amount of horsepower that your engine can produce is pre-determined during the design and development of the engine. 

Therefore, there is no way the type of fuel used will increase the horsepower produced beyond the manufacturer’s designed limit. 

However, when you use the correct type of fuel on your Audi, you will likely hit the optimal design horsepower rating.

This result is not typical for premium gas only; even Audi vehicles that run on regular gas will achieve optimal performance when the correct fuel is used. 

Does premium gas make a difference?

Yes, it makes a difference. Although this distinction can go unnoticed if looked at from the surface. 

The EPA recommends the use of premium grade gas for it is has a higher-octane rating.

The higher the octane number, the more efficient the fuel burns, and, therefore, the better the combustion. 

Consequently, premium gas is worth the extra bucks over regular gas. 

In the long run, it will save you money in terms of costly repairs and the fact that your car’s fuel efficiency and general performance are optimal.

Conclusion

Whether you refill your premium Audi with regular gas accidentally or intentionally, the engine of your fancy Audi won’t be damaged immediately. 

All you have to do is run your Audi until the engine is empty before your next refill.

However, for high-performance Audi, the choice of regular gas over premium gas is not negotiable as they all should run on premium gas for optimal performance. 

Generally, using the correct fuel type on your vehicle enhances the health and longevity of your engine. 

This is because it will reduce the chances of costly repairs or the risks of engine knock when you use low-grade fuel on your Audi.