What grade of gasoline should the Passat B5 use?
2 Answers
Passat uses 95-octane gasoline. Passat engine: The Passat B5 is equipped with a W-type engine. The main advantage of this engine is its space-saving design, allowing more cylinders to be compactly arranged within a certain space. It can accommodate 8 cylinders in a volume close to that of a V6 engine. Introduction to 95-octane gasoline: 95-octane gasoline consists of 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. High-octane gasoline should be used when the engine has a high compression ratio. If the compression ratio is high but low-octane gasoline is used
I've been driving a Passat B5 for almost ten years and always use 95-octane gasoline, which is the most suitable. When I first bought the car, the technician at the 4S store emphasized this point, and the manual also clearly states the recommendation for 95-octane or higher. This is because the B5's engine has a relatively high compression ratio. If you use lower-octane fuel like 92-octane, it can easily cause knocking—those strange engine noises or vibrations—and over time, this can damage the cylinders and increase repair costs. I remember once trying 92-octane fuel to save money, but my fuel consumption increased by 10%, and the power felt sluggish. It scared me so much that I immediately switched back to 95-octane. Now, although fuel prices have risen a bit, saving money this way isn't worth it compared to the high cost of repairs. Plus, 95-octane burns cleaner, reducing carbon buildup.
