I have a 1996 Audi A4 2.8 quattro, I've been running 91 octane which cost $4.10 a gallon but can I get away with using regular or mid-grade? I've done it before but will it hurt my engine and what will it do?

 

You can do it but not recommended.

 

Most Audi's recommend using 91 but unless your turbo (like 1.8T or 2.7T) or a high performance V8 you can get away with mid grade or 87.

Jason

 

Whats the worst that it can do? I usually only put it in when I know I wont be going far and only put one or two gallons in of it at a time.

 

You might see slightly lower gas mileage but the performance lost (or gained by using higher octane) will be negligible. The ECU will retard timing to compensate for the lower octane gas. Won't hurt a thing!

 

Even with staggered price gaps between octanes, filling up from empty with 87 will save you less than $5 on a $60+ fillup. If you're throwing in $20 of gas, getting 87 will gain you about half a gallon. Not being a ***** here, but if a few cents a gallon is that big a deal, you need to get rid of this car. If that's an expense that actually matters, wait til something breaks.

 

why would you even dare to think of doing this? ecu might retard timing and all but after it pings by then the damage is done don't believe me ill find the pics i had from a Honda h22a engine's internals that ran 87 oct pistons worn out the rings all of it was gone to hell you can actually see the damage after a while. just saying, and why run lower oct just sale the car and buy one that takes low oct dont kill the audi its innocent i tell you innocent!

 

If you buy an Audi expect to use premium. In any car premium is better all around, its a better gas in a sense. Jeremy said it right tho, you dont save much, the money saved will just be going straight to repair bills.