Can You Put 87 Gas in an Audi?

You can physically put 87 octane (regular) gas in some Audi models, but it is not always recommended and may reduce performance, fuel economy, and potentially long-term engine health; most modern Audis are engineered for premium fuel (91+ octane), and following the fuel requirement in your owner’s manual is crucial.

Why Fuel Octane Matters for Audi Engines

Most contemporary Audi vehicles, especially those with turbocharged or high-compression engines, are designed around premium gasoline. The octane rating directly affects how the engine can safely produce power without damaging knock, which is why Audi typically specifies higher octane than regular 87 gas.

What Octane Rating Actually Means

Octane rating is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to “knock” — uncontrolled combustion in the engine cylinder. Higher-octane fuels are more stable under pressure and heat, which is especially important for turbocharged and high-performance engines like many of Audi’s TFSI, TDI (where applicable for gasoline-equivalent specs), and S/RS powertrains.

The following list explains how octane ratings generally align with fuel types at U.S. gas stations.

• 87 octane: Regular unleaded, lowest knock resistance, cheapest option.
• 89 octane: Mid-grade, moderate knock resistance.
• 91–93 octane: Premium or super premium, highest knock resistance widely available for consumer vehicles.

Understanding these categories helps clarify why Audi typically specifies 91 or higher: their engines often operate at pressures and temperatures where the extra knock resistance of premium fuel is beneficial or even required.

What Audi Actually Says: “Required” vs “Recommended” Fuel

Whether you can safely use 87 depends on what your specific Audi model’s fuel door sticker and owner’s manual say. Audi distinguishes between fuel that is required and fuel that is recommended.

The points below outline the common wording Audi uses and what it means for your fuel choice.

• “Premium unleaded gasoline ONLY – 91 AKI or higher”: 91+ octane is required. Using 87 is not advised and may cause knocking, performance loss, or engine damage over time. Warranty coverage could be affected if damage is traced to improper fuel.
• “Premium unleaded gasoline recommended – 91 AKI or higher”: The engine is optimized for 91+, but the control systems can generally run on 87 in a pinch. You’ll experience reduced power and efficiency, and frequent use of 87 still isn’t ideal.
• “Minimum 87 AKI”: More common on older or lower-output VW/Audi-group engines outside North America. These can usually accept 87 safely, though they may still perform better on higher octane.

Reading the exact wording on your fuel flap and in the owner’s manual is the most reliable way to know whether 87 is allowed in your particular Audi and under what conditions.

Model-by-Model: Typical Fuel Requirements

While specifics vary by year and engine, there are clear patterns across the Audi lineup, especially among models sold in North America from the mid‑2010s to today.

Entry-Level and Mainstream Audi Models

Many mainstream petrol-powered Audis with smaller turbocharged engines still specify premium, even if they’re “entry-level” in the brand’s hierarchy.

The following list provides typical guidance (always confirmed by the individual manual) for some popular lines as of recent model years:

• A3 / Q3 (1.4T, 1.8T, 2.0T TFSI): Usually “premium recommended” or “premium required,” depending on market and year. In the U.S., most recent 2.0T engines specify 91 octane or higher.
• A4 / A5 / Q5 (2.0T TFSI): Generally tuned for 91+ octane. Some may allow 87 as a minimum, but with clearly documented performance and economy penalties.
• A6 / A7 (2.0T and some 3.0T variants): Typically require premium; performance-focused calibrations make high octane more critical.

These models may tolerate 87 in emergency situations if the manual allows it, but they’re engineered to deliver their advertised power, torque, and fuel economy on premium fuel.

Performance and High-Output Models (S, RS, e.g., SQ5, RS 6)

Audi’s S and RS models are even more dependent on high-octane fuel because of their significant boost and aggressive ignition timing maps.

The following list shows how high-performance Audi models generally treat fuel requirements.

• S-line cars (S3, S4, S5, S6, SQ5, etc.): Nearly all explicitly require premium fuel (91+). Running 87 can cause frequent knock events, heavy timing retard, and noticeable power loss.
• RS models (RS 3, RS 5, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8, etc.): High-performance engines tuned for sustained high loads and track use; 91 or 93 octane is effectively mandatory.
• Sport packages & performance tunes: Any ECU map or performance package (factory or aftermarket) that increases boost or timing is even more sensitive to fuel quality; 87 is strongly discouraged.

Because these engines operate close to the limits of what pump gas can support, using 87 in an S or RS Audi is not just a matter of reduced performance—it increases the risk of long-term engine wear or damage.

Hybrids and Plug‑In Hybrids (TFSI e)

Many Audi plug‑in hybrids still rely on turbocharged gasoline engines when the battery assistance is not sufficient, so fuel requirements remain important.

The following points summarize how Audi plug-in hybrids usually handle gasoline.

• A3 e‑tron, Q5 TFSI e, A7 TFSI e: Generally specify 91 octane as recommended or required, depending on region.
• Software management: Engine control units (ECUs) adjust for lower octane when necessary, but repeated use of 87 can blunt performance and economy benefits of the hybrid system.
• Cold weather / high load: Under demanding conditions, the need for higher octane is more pronounced because the engine relies more heavily on combustion power.

Even though hybrids may seem less reliant on the engine, their turbocharged gasoline components are still designed with premium fuel in mind for optimal operation.

What Happens If You Use 87 in a Premium-Recommended Audi?

If your Audi’s documentation says “premium recommended” rather than “required,” the ECU can usually adapt to 87 octane, but not without trade-offs. This is not catastrophic in the short term, yet it is suboptimal over the long term.

The list below outlines typical consequences of running 87 in an Audi that prefers 91+ but does not strictly require it.

• Reduced performance: The knock sensors detect pre-ignition tendencies and the ECU retards ignition timing to protect the engine, lowering power and torque.
• Worse fuel economy: Because timing is pulled back and combustion is less efficient, you may burn more fuel per mile, erasing much of the cost savings from cheaper gas.
• Occasional knock or ping: Under heavy acceleration or high load (e.g., climbing hills, hot weather, towing), you may hear light knocking if the ECU is at the edge of its adjustment range.
• Potential long-term impact: While modern controls are good, sustained operation far from the engine’s design target can contribute to carbon buildup, higher exhaust gas temperatures, and increased stress on components.

In other words, an occasional tank of 87 in a premium-recommended Audi is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but habitual use undermines the car’s advertised performance and can increase wear over time.

What If 91+ Octane Isn’t Available?

In some regions, 91 or 93 octane fuel is hard to find, leaving drivers with limited options. Audi engineers consider these realities, but the driver still carries responsibility for fuel choice.

The following list outlines practical steps if you normally require or prefer premium but only find lower-octane gas.

• Consult the manual for minimum allowed octane: Many manuals specify what you can use “in emergency” or “if premium is unavailable,” often with guidance toavoid heavy acceleration.
• Choose the highest available grade: If 90 is the top grade instead of 91/93, use that rather than dropping all the way to 87.
• Drive gently: Avoid wide-open throttle, high RPM, towing, or track-style driving on lower octane to limit knock and heat buildup.
• Return to premium as soon as possible: Once higher-octane fuel is available, start refueling with it and let the ECU relearn optimal timing.

These steps minimize risk when you must compromise, but they don’t change the underlying fact that your Audi was engineered around premium fuel if that’s what the documentation states.

Could Using 87 Affect Your Warranty?

Warranty implications depend on whether premium gasoline is listed as required or recommended. Automakers can deny coverage for issues caused by misuse, and running the wrong fuel can be considered misuse if it contradicts the manual.

The points below summarize how warranty considerations typically interact with fuel use.

• If premium is required: Using 87 could provide grounds for denying warranty claims for engine damage or drivability issues clearly linked to low-octane fuel.
• If premium is recommended: It’s harder to deny a claim solely on that basis, but Audi can still point to fuel quality if diagnostics show persistent knock-related issues or misfires.
• Documentation & logs: Modern ECUs log knock events, fuel trim data, and misfire counts, which can be examined during major engine-related claims.

While an occasional emergency tank of 87 is unlikely to trigger a warranty dispute, consistently ignoring a “premium only” label may leave you exposed if something goes wrong.

How to Check What Your Specific Audi Needs

Because Audi’s fuel requirements vary by model, year, and engine code, the most authoritative answers come from your car’s own documentation and labeling.

The following steps explain how to determine the correct fuel for your particular Audi.

1. Look at the fuel door sticker: Open the fuel flap and read the label. It usually states “Premium unleaded gasoline ONLY” or “Premium unleaded recommended,” often with a specific octane number.
2. Read the owner’s manual: The “Fuel” or “Technical Data” section will list the minimum octane and any notes about using lower-octane fuel in emergencies.
3. Check official Audi resources: Audi’s official website, digital manuals, or your dealer’s service department can confirm requirements if your physical manual is missing.
4. Verify any modifications: If your Audi has an aftermarket ECU tune, consult the tuner’s documentation, as many tunes assume 91 or 93 octane as a baseline.

Following these steps ensures that your decision about using 87 octane is based on precise specifications rather than general assumptions about the brand.

Bottom Line: Should You Put 87 in an Audi?

Whether you should put 87 gas in an Audi depends on your specific car’s labeling and manual, but the brand’s overall engineering philosophy heavily favors premium fuel.

The list below distills the practical conclusions for most Audi owners.

• If your Audi says “Premium only” (91+): Do not use 87 except in a genuine emergency, and then drive gently and refill with premium as soon as you can.
• If your Audi says “Premium recommended” with a lower minimum (e.g., 87): You can run 87, but you’ll sacrifice power, refinement, and potentially longevity; premium is significantly better if you care about performance and long-term reliability.
• If your Audi explicitly allows 87 as normal fuel: You may safely use 87 as specified, although higher octane can still yield small gains in smoothness or performance in some conditions.

In practice, most owners of modern U.S.-spec Audis will get the best balance of performance, efficiency, and engine health by consistently using premium gasoline, just as Audi engineers intended.

Summary

You can physically fill many Audi models with 87 octane gasoline, but whether you should depends on what your specific car requires. Most modern Audis, especially turbocharged and performance variants, are calibrated for 91+ octane fuel. When premium is required, regularly using 87 risks engine knock, reduced performance, and potential long-term damage, with possible warranty consequences. When premium is only recommended, occasional use of 87 is usually safe but will cut power and fuel economy. The definitive answer lies on your fuel door sticker and in your owner’s manual — and in most cases, they point clearly toward premium fuel as the right choice for an Audi.