Does the 2003 VW Passat require premium gas?

Question

Does the 2003 VW Passat require premium gas?

Answer 1

  All the VW's sold in the USA except for the NON turbo 2.0 liter and diesel motor, will require premium fuel.  On some years VW doesn't state on the fuel door what grade of fuel is required, instead they list the octane number needed.  On a 2003 Passat in the USA, that number is 91 octane, which is considered to be premium fuel.

   On the later 2006 or so Passats, the 6 cylinder engine is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to use Premium fuel, but it is not a requirement per se.  Due to the anti-knock sensors built into the motor, it probably can safely run on something other than Premium fuel.  However, reports have been mixed as to whether or not this is a good idea.  You will loose performance when you use something other than preium fuel, the question is:  is the level of performance acceptable to you?

    In addition to reduced performance, it does appear that in addition, you many well loose fuel economy as well.  My advice has been that you use whatever fuel the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.

In many cases,, people are unhappy with the reduced performance they get when they use something other than the recommended fuel.

Only actually trying it out can you tell if it is acceptable to you or not.

    If the vehicle is turbo equipped, then you have no choice.  The vehicle must run on premium fuel at all times and of the highest octane possible.  In many cases, the turbo motors will require more octane than the 91 octane most commonly found.  Saab, some BWM's, Audi and Mercedes have vehicles that require 93 octane in order to perform properly.

   In any case, don't forget that your Passat will require the use of sythenic oil that meets VW-Audio requirements of 501.000 or 505.001, which means either certain Castrol Synethic (says on the label it meets VW-Audi requirements) or Mobil 1 European formula only.

    Hope this helps, a car nut.

Answer 2

Unless it has a turbo engine it doesn't. But anyway I would use Shell. The engine gunk will turn out better.

Answer 3

if it's the 1.8L or the 2.5L