Anyone use less than 90 octane (w/wo ethenol) on a regular basis? dealer told me to stop...

quench_dsm · 12-02-2005, 12:29 PM

The dealer told me to stop using premium and to use 89 with ethenol instead.

here's the story:

it's been sorta cool her lately, in the mid to low 20s F.

So, I started the S4 this morning to warm it up, and the check engine light started flashing.

I backed it out of the garage, shut it down and refired it. The engine light didn't blink anymore. No more warnings on the dash.

Now I'm relieved, but concerned. wtf?

So, I drove it over to the dealer, about 3 miles, and ask to have the code checked to see what the problem is/was. Without checking the code, he asks me if i use premium fuel (which i do).

He goes on to say that I should be using ethenol (89 octane & 10% ethenol) during the winter cause it burns better, ignites at cooler temps and thus won't build up carbon, which he says was causing the check engine light.

??? any thoughts on this theory?

RKA · 12-02-2005, 12:45 PM

Your car should use premium unleaded fuel. If you use less, it will retard timing, hurting performance and possibly gas mileage.

If you're getting a flashing CEL, the car is trying to tell you something, and it's not that you should be using 89 octane fuel (ask the service manager to produce documentation from Audi indicating that the problem and fix is as he says...he'll be a little perplexed at how he's supposed to explain he can't produce that documentation, because it doesn't exist).

dubaudi1 · 12-02-2005, 01:47 PM

What kind of service advisor would suggest to someone who owns a luxury brand car that they should mix their own fuel?? But then again, I've heard some pretty stupid things from them before...

RKA · 12-02-2005, 01:50 PM

Most fuel in populated areas is mixed in that manner for pollution control reasons. You'll see a big sticker on the pump indicating if the fuel is mixed.

Basically all the SA is suggesting is to use mid grade fuel.

S4iowa · 12-02-2005, 01:51 PM

Karrera4 · 12-02-2005, 11:07 PM

quench_dsm · 12-03-2005, 01:21 AM

it was Jordan.

quench_dsm · 12-03-2005, 01:23 AM

S4iowa · 12-03-2005, 05:29 PM

about the service I'll have to deal with.

quench_dsm · 12-03-2005, 06:26 PM

12-02-2005, 12:29 PM	#1
quench_dsm Member Account #: 78456 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 639	Anyone use less than 90 octane (w/wo ethenol) on a regular basis? dealer told me to stop... The dealer told me to stop using premium and to use 89 with ethenol instead. here's the story: it's been sorta cool her lately, in the mid to low 20s F. So, I started the S4 this morning to warm it up, and the check engine light started flashing. I backed it out of the garage, shut it down and refired it. The engine light didn't blink anymore. No more warnings on the dash. Now I'm relieved, but concerned. wtf? So, I drove it over to the dealer, about 3 miles, and ask to have the code checked to see what the problem is/was. Without checking the code, he asks me if i use premium fuel (which i do). He goes on to say that I should be using ethenol (89 octane & 10% ethenol) during the winter cause it burns better, ignites at cooler temps and thus won't build up carbon, which he says was causing the check engine light. ??? any thoughts on this theory? __________________ *2004 S4* light silver \| black/silver alcantara \| 6mt \| rns-e

12-02-2005, 12:45 PM	#2
RKA Member Account #: 2062 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 67,038	He's full of sh!t. Your car should use premium unleaded fuel. If you use less, it will retard timing, hurting performance and possibly gas mileage. If you're getting a flashing CEL, the car is trying to tell you something, and it's not that you should be using 89 octane fuel (ask the service manager to produce documentation from Audi indicating that the problem and fix is as he says...he'll be a little perplexed at how he's supposed to explain he can't produce that documentation, because it doesn't exist). __________________ 2005.5 A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro 6MT APR 91/93/100 \| APR Exhaust \| 19" BBS RS-GT's \| Carbonio \| Hotchkis \| Partridge-in-a-pear-tree Others: 2006 TL on the block 2001 S4 sold 2000 A4 sold * September 11th, 2001 - Never Forget *

12-02-2005, 01:47 PM	#3
dubaudi1 AudiWorld Super User Account #: 46128 Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 7,302	Even better, have him put that down in writing and then send a copy to Audi. What kind of service advisor would suggest to someone who owns a luxury brand car that they should mix their own fuel?? But then again, I've heard some pretty stupid things from them before... __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------ flickr DubAudi Gruppe Detailers Domain - The only place for detailing supplies. ------------------------------------------------------------

12-02-2005, 01:50 PM	#4
RKA Member Account #: 2062 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 67,038	He's not suggesting mixing your own fuel... Most fuel in populated areas is mixed in that manner for pollution control reasons. You'll see a big sticker on the pump indicating if the fuel is mixed. Basically all the SA is suggesting is to use mid grade fuel. __________________ 2005.5 A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro 6MT APR 91/93/100 \| APR Exhaust \| 19" BBS RS-GT's \| Carbonio \| Hotchkis \| Partridge-in-a-pear-tree Others: 2006 TL on the block 2001 S4 sold 2000 A4 sold * September 11th, 2001 - Never Forget *

12-02-2005, 01:51 PM	#5
S4iowa Member Account #: 36175 Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25,557	What dealer is this? __________________ ------------------------------------------- Current: 2004 S4 No Warranty: 66K Fuel filter $45 67K Motor mount $200 67K Coil pack(s) $40*2 67K Window regulator $100 71K Battery $135 2003 TT 1.8T No Warranty: 50K Hazard Switch $50 Past: 1998 A4 1.8TQMS B6/7 S4 Hawk Pad part number update! Should no longer need to do the below anymore: How to modify C5 A6 Hawk pads for use in the B6/B7 S4 or B7 A4

12-02-2005, 11:07 PM	#6
Karrera4 Member Account #: 58326 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,574	wait...is this Jordan??? Because I cant believe that. __________________ Kent My Fotki 2006 Porsche Cayman S Seal Grey w/ Black Full Leather PASM 19's Sport Seats and wheel V1 Hardwired etc etc etc 2004 Black S4 6-speed (SOLD) Black/Silver Alcantara Premium Package Premium Sound w/ XM RNS-E DVD Navigation Labree DP's and Catback Hyperflow Intake Hawk Performance Ceramics V1 - hardwired

12-03-2005, 01:21 AM	#7
quench_dsm Member Account #: 78456 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 639	ding! you are correct sir... it was Jordan. __________________ *2004 S4* light silver \| black/silver alcantara \| 6mt \| rns-e

12-03-2005, 01:23 AM	#8
quench_dsm Member Account #: 78456 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 639	yes midgrade unleaded... here in ia it's cut with 10% (i believe) ethenol from corn ya hey there ;) __________________ *2004 S4* light silver \| black/silver alcantara \| 6mt \| rns-e

12-03-2005, 05:29 PM	#9
S4iowa Member Account #: 36175 Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25,557	They are f'ing morans when it comes to service. I am considering buyng a CPO car and I am worried about the service I'll have to deal with. __________________ ------------------------------------------- Current: 2004 S4 No Warranty: 66K Fuel filter $45 67K Motor mount $200 67K Coil pack(s) $40*2 67K Window regulator $100 71K Battery $135 2003 TT 1.8T No Warranty: 50K Hazard Switch $50 Past: 1998 A4 1.8TQMS B6/7 S4 Hawk Pad part number update! Should no longer need to do the below anymore: How to modify C5 A6 Hawk pads for use in the B6/B7 S4 or B7 A4

12-03-2005, 06:26 PM	#10
quench_dsm Member Account #: 78456 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 639	cpo? hmm... what's that? but yeah, it is frustrating to have such a (only) dealer like that... :/ __________________ *2004 S4* light silver \| black/silver alcantara \| 6mt \| rns-e

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