Can the Audi Q3 use 92-octane gasoline?

[VanJoy]

The Audi Q3 should use 95-octane gasoline, as this is the recommended fuel grade specified in the vehicle's official owner's manual. In addition to checking the appropriate fuel grade in the owner's manual, the Audi Q3 also has this information indicated on the fuel tank cap. Typically, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline, while those with a ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95-octane gasoline. For higher compression ratios, 98-octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the use of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the appropriate fuel grade, as high compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane gasoline. Other factors, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology, also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane rating, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Audi Q3 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switching back to the correct grade after use is sufficient. However, prolonged use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower-octane gasoline, using a higher-octane grade will not cause damage, but the increased octane number can alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher-octane gasoline, using a lower-octane grade can cause engine knocking. The significantly lower octane number reduces the fuel's ignition point, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If the fuel ignites before the spark plug fires, resistance occurs during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. Mild knocking may only increase noise without significant engine damage, but noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions. The vibrations not only affect driving stability but also cause abnormal wear on the pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to severe engine damage such as cylinder scoring.