Should the Q5 use 95 or 92 octane gasoline?
3 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Q5 should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, the Q5 can also refer to the fuel cap, which will also indicate the recommended grade. Typically, the gasoline 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 compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane gasoline. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the gasoline grade. High compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower octane gasoline because, apart from the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane number, the higher the octane value 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 Q5 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower octane gasoline, using higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane value will change the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane value is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If detonation occurs before the spark plug ignites, resistance will arise during the upward stroke. This resistance will make the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise without significant damage to the engine. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.
I've been driving an Audi Q5 for over three years and always use 95-octane gasoline. The engine has a high compression ratio, so 95-octane fuel with suitable anti-knock properties prevents detonation. Once when I was in a hurry, I filled up with 92-octane and immediately noticed reduced throttle response and increased fuel consumption by over half a liter. Turbocharged engines are indeed picky about fuel - my friend with the same model who regularly uses 92-octane has had the engine warning light come on twice. I recommend not skimping on the price difference; 95-octane also helps reduce carbon buildup and keeps spark plugs cleaner. By the way, mixing fuel grades is even worse - it's okay for emergency use, but switch back to 95-octane as soon as possible.
Fueling is all about cost-effectiveness. The Q5 has a 70-liter fuel tank, and 95-octane is a few cents more expensive per liter than 92-octane, resulting in a difference of 20-30 yuan per tank. However, 95-octane burns more completely. Under the same driving conditions, I've tested that it can extend the range by 50 kilometers. In the long run, the cost per kilometer is almost the same, whereas 92-octane leads to more carbon deposits, affecting performance. I've seen maintenance bills at the dealership—clogged fuel injectors from using 92-octane require an extra 2,000 yuan for cleaning, which isn't worth it. I recommend adding a bottle of original cleaner before highway trips, especially for those who frequently use 92-octane, to maintain the engine.
