My 2018 Q7 3.0 93 vs 87 octane test...
09-12-2017, 05:54 AM
#21
AudiWorld Member
Thanks. The base model GTI comes with 210 HP. The Sport, SE, and Autobahn all come with 220 HP. and R brakes.
That is interesting as the car does make use of Premium if you use it. Their website says that the HP numbers are with premium. But they chose not to recommend it.
It looks like they took an opposite approach to Audi and figured lower-cost fuel is more of a selling point for VW owners, and so didn't recommend Premium even though it will take advantage of it for more power at times as the Audi will. So the Audi, which also has an 87 minimum rating, recommends the fuel that the car is optimized for, and VW recommends a less optimal fuel, figuring the difference is too small for people to care about. Either car runs with either, and either car sometimes makes more power with Premium.
Ford took the same approach as VW, and for the Fiesta ST, cites the HP for Premium, but the fuel cap says 87 minimum. I spoke to a Fiesta ST owner yesterday who was really into it, and added a cold air induction system, stabilizer bars, and other things to his car - and he said he could not notice any difference between 87 or 93, so uses 87.
I will do another tank of 93 after this 87, to gather data using my OBD2 scanner, before I make my final decision.
That is interesting as the car does make use of Premium if you use it. Their website says that the HP numbers are with premium. But they chose not to recommend it.
It looks like they took an opposite approach to Audi and figured lower-cost fuel is more of a selling point for VW owners, and so didn't recommend Premium even though it will take advantage of it for more power at times as the Audi will. So the Audi, which also has an 87 minimum rating, recommends the fuel that the car is optimized for, and VW recommends a less optimal fuel, figuring the difference is too small for people to care about. Either car runs with either, and either car sometimes makes more power with Premium.
Ford took the same approach as VW, and for the Fiesta ST, cites the HP for Premium, but the fuel cap says 87 minimum. I spoke to a Fiesta ST owner yesterday who was really into it, and added a cold air induction system, stabilizer bars, and other things to his car - and he said he could not notice any difference between 87 or 93, so uses 87.
I will do another tank of 93 after this 87, to gather data using my OBD2 scanner, before I make my final decision.
09-12-2017, 05:57 AM
#22
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes, and I would go so far as to say that their knock sensor technology is the same. So there is no engine damage with using 87 as some people have been saying.
Last edited by rsilvers129; 09-12-2017 at 11:41 AM.
09-12-2017, 07:20 AM
#23
AudiWorld Senior Member
09-12-2017, 07:30 AM
#24
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Here is a screen capture from the owner's manual. It "recommends" Premium, which is defined as a minimum rating of 91, and it says that it also works with Regular, which is defined as a minimum octane of 87. It then states that the consequences of using Regular is that it will "slightly reduce engine performance."
That is why I am claiming that 87 is required, and 91 is recommended. And I also believe that if VW branding was on the car, they would have worded it as 87 recommended and then stated that the HP numbers are for Premium.
So it comes down to how much HP is lost. On a GTI, it was 4HP peak. To help quantify that for the Q7, I am data-logging full-throttle accelerations and capturing accelerometer data.
Last edited by rsilvers129; 09-12-2017 at 07:36 AM.
09-12-2017, 07:32 AM
#25
AudiWorld Super User
With octane descriptions, the key words are "recommended" or "required."
Here is a screen capture from the owner's manual. It recommends Premium, which is defined as a minimum rating of 91, and it says that it also works with Regular, which is defined as a minimum octane of 87. It then states that the consequences of using Regular is that it will "slightly reduce engine performance."
Here is a screen capture from the owner's manual. It recommends Premium, which is defined as a minimum rating of 91, and it says that it also works with Regular, which is defined as a minimum octane of 87. It then states that the consequences of using Regular is that it will "slightly reduce engine performance."
09-12-2017, 07:37 AM
#26
AudiWorld Senior Member
Look, I'm aware of what the manual states. I also looked on the fuel door as well. It says MIN 91. Manuals are not always right, neither are the stickers on the car. It's your car, you can do what you want. I'll go with what the sticker on the fuel door RECOMMENDS.
BTW, I just paraphrased and shortened what the manual said .....
"Q7 needs MIN 91, but it will also run on 87"
BTW, I just paraphrased and shortened what the manual said .....
"Q7 needs MIN 91, but it will also run on 87"
Last edited by gsobol; 09-12-2017 at 07:39 AM.
09-12-2017, 07:39 AM
#27
AudiWorld Super User
I'm not sure why this gets debated to death everywhere. If one wants to save a few $ go for it, but why set out to prove that the ones following the manual are idiots (or rule followers)...LOL!
09-12-2017, 07:46 AM
#29
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
That being said, I only drink water, and never bottled.
09-12-2017, 07:47 AM
#30
AudiWorld Senior Member
Ha! If Coke was 60 cents more per gallon, I would be buying Coke. If Pepsi were free, I would be buying Coke. I was at a sushi place yesterday, and they had Pepsi not Coke, and it made me think they cheapened out on everything.
That being said, I only drink water, and never bottled.
That being said, I only drink water, and never bottled.
