Posted on 12/19/2025
When you pull up to the pump and see three different prices for gasoline, it is natural to wonder whether your Audi really needs the expensive one. Some drivers swear premium fuel is the only way to go, others quietly fill with regular fuel and say they have no problems. Modern engines are smart enough to adapt a bit, but they still have limits. Knowing what premium fuel actually does, and what your specific engine expects, helps you make a smarter decision. What “Premium” Gas Actually Means Premium gasoline is mostly about octane, not about extra power or special cleaning magic. Octane is simply a measure of how resistant the fuel is to knocking, which is early, uncontrolled combustion in the cylinder. The higher the octane number, the more compression and heat the fuel can take before it starts to knock. At most pumps in the U.S., you will see something like this: Regular: usually around 87 octane Midgrade: often around 89 octane Premium: commonly ... read more