Can the Audi A3 use 92 octane gasoline?

[LolaRose]

Audi A3 cannot use 92 octane gasoline. It is better to use higher octane gasoline for the following reasons: 1. Low octane gasoline will reduce acceleration performance and fuel economy; 2. It may cause knocking and damage the engine. Taking the 2021 Audi A3 Sport Progressive as an example, it is a compact car with body dimensions of 4351mm in length, 1815mm in width, and 1458mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2630mm and a fuel tank capacity of 51 liters. The 2021 Audi A3 Sport Progressive is equipped with a 1.4L turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 150ps and a maximum power speed of 5000 to 6000 rpm.

[VanBella]

My old mechanic used to say that the Audi A3 officially requires 95 octane or higher. You can force it to run on 92 octane, but the risk of engine knocking is high. Last year, I saw an A3 that had been running on 92 for a long time, and its engine was shaking like it was dancing—cost nearly 3,000 yuan to clean the carbon deposits. The fuel cap clearly states a minimum of 95 octane. If you insist on taking the risk, it might affect the direct injection system, and over time, you’re likely to see the check engine light. If you really want to save on fuel costs, stick to regular maintenance instead of gambling your engine for a small price difference.

[Joann]

I specifically checked the manual: The A3 engine has a high compression ratio, and the anti-knock capability of 95-octane fuel is a better match. The lower octane rating of 92 can lead to abnormal knocking sounds inside the engine, especially when climbing hills with the AC on during summer. While it won't cause immediate breakdown, long-term use can accelerate carbon buildup and affect the accuracy of the cylinder pressure sensor. I've seen disassembled A3 engines, and those using 92-octane fuel had noticeably thicker carbon deposits on the piston tops.

[DelEvan]

As a female car owner, the 4S store repeatedly emphasized that I must use 95-octane fuel when delivering the car. Last time when I returned to my hometown, the gas station didn't have 95-octane, so I reluctantly filled half a tank with 92-octane mixed with 95-octane and ran it out. As a result, the engine malfunction light stayed on for three days, and the acceleration felt sluggish. Later, the mechanic said the computer detected frequent knocking and abnormal mixture, which required 7 corrections. It is recommended to keep a bottle of fuel additive for emergencies. If you really have to use 92-octane, quickly use a bottle to dilute it.

[DiSamuel]

Veteran driver's advice: Occasionally mixing in 92 octane in emergencies is acceptable, but don't exceed 1/3 of the tank capacity. The key is to immediately refill with higher-grade gasoline to dilute it and use up that tank as soon as possible. I've encountered cases where cars experienced knocking like metal clanging after adding 92 octane, especially noticeable when flooring the throttle in sport mode. Remember, saving two hundred on gas might cost two thousand in repairs - not worth it.