Why does Volkswagen use 95 octane?
2 Answers
Why Volkswagen uses 95 octane gasoline is as follows: Volkswagen vehicles use 95 octane gasoline because most of its models are equipped with turbocharged engines. During high-speed driving, the turbocharger performs more powerfully, which imposes strict requirements on gasoline. 95 octane gasoline has better anti-knock properties compared to 92 octane gasoline. If German cars use 92 octane gasoline for an extended period, it can lead to engine knocking, which is very dangerous. Additional information: The difference in gasoline grades is mainly due to the varying octane levels of additives (octane affects anti-knock performance). The higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane level, and the better the anti-knock performance, making it more suitable for high-compression engines. However, this is not absolute, as it also depends on the manufacturer's technology, tuning, and the engine's inherent characteristics.
I've been using 95-octane gasoline for my Volkswagen all these years, as the 4S dealer repeatedly emphasized when I bought it. Volkswagen engines generally have a compression ratio above 10, with high-performance versions close to 11. Such engines require higher-octane fuel. 95-octane gasoline has excellent anti-knock properties, preventing that jarring knocking sound when you floor the accelerator. Once at a highway service area when 95 wasn't available, I reluctantly filled up with 92-octane and clearly felt the engine shuddering like it was coughing during acceleration. Now I always check the sticker inside the fuel filler cap that clearly states '95 octane or above' - the manufacturer designed it this way for good reason. The little money saved by using the wrong fuel isn't worth the repair costs.
