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Fuel -> Gasoline for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

Fuel  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Fuel types  
Gasoline  
Gasoline  
Gasoline additives  
Diesel fuel  
Fuel consumption information  
The correct fuel grade for your engine is shown on a sticker located on the inside of the fuel filler flap  
⇒ꢀfig. 174.  
Bad or poor quality fuel reduces operating performance, efficiency and service life of the engine. If you  
notice any symptoms like rough engine idle or performance or “bucking”, immediately reduce the  
vehicle speed, accelerate slowly and keep the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range. Avoid  
high rpm and rapid acceleration. If these symptoms should appear right after refueling, switch off the  
engine. In both cases contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility to have the engine checked.  
More information:  
⇒ꢀbooklet Warranty and Maintenance  
Refueling  
Engine control and exhaust system  
WARNING  
Improper refueling or handling of fuel can cause fire, explosion, and severe burns.  
Fuel is highly explosive and flammable and can cause severe burns and other injuries.  
Heed applicable safety warnings and obey local fuel handling regulations.  
Always make sure the fuel cap is screwed on all the way. This keeps fuel from spilling out  
and from evaporating.  
Failure to shut the engine off while refueling and/or to insert the pump nozzle fully into the  
vehicle's filler neck could cause fuel overflow and fuel spray. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel  
are dangerous because they can cause fire or serious injury.  
For safety reasons, the engine must be turned off when refueling.  
Never get back into your vehicle while refueling. If in exceptional circumstances you must  
get back in your vehicle while refueling, make certain that you close the door and touch metal  
to discharge static electricity before touching the filler nozzle again. Static electricity can  
cause sparks that can ignite fuel vapors released during refueling.  
Gasoline  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Octane rating  
Octane rating indicates a gasoline's ability to resist engine-damaging “knock” caused by pre-ignition.  
Using the correct grade of gasoline is very important to help prevent engine damage and loss of  
engine performance.  
The recommended gasoline octane rating for your engine is listed on a label inside of the fuel filler  
flap. This rating may be specified according to AKI (CLC) or RON (ROZ) standards.  
If unleaded Premium grade gasoline is specified for your vehicle, then Volkswagen recommends using  
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91 AKI (95 RON). For more  
information on TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, please go to the official Web site  
The gasoline grades most commonly sold in the United States and Canada have the following octane  
ratings, which can usually be found on the filler pump:  
Premium grade: 91 to 96 AKI  
Regular grade: 87 to 90 AKI  
Unleaded gasoline  
Unleaded gasoline is available throughout the USA and Canada. Volkswagen recommends that you  
do not take your vehicle to places where unleaded gasoline may not be available.  
Gasoline containing alcohol or MTBE  
You may use unleaded gasoline blended with alcohol or MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), commonly  
referred to as oxygenated fuels, if the blended mixture meets the following criteria:  
Blends of gasoline and methanol (wood alcohol or methyl alcohol):  
Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.  
Blend must contain no more than 3% methanol.  
Blend must contain more than 2% co-solvents.  
Blends of gasoline and ethanol (grain alcohol or ethyl alcohol):  
Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.  
Blend must contain no more than 10% ethanol.  
Blends of gasoline and MTBE:  
Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.  
Blend must contain no more than 15% MTBE.  
Seasonally adjusted gasoline  
Many fuels are blended especially for winter or summer conditions. When seasons change,  
Volkswagen suggests that you buy fuel at busy stations where the seasonal adjustment is more likely  
to be made earlier.  
WARNING  
Starting fluids can explode and cause a run-away vehicle condition.  
Never use starting assist fluids.  
NOTICE  
Never use fuel with an octane rating lower than 87 AKI / 91 RON. Using lower octane fuel  
may cause expensive engine damage.  
Never use leaded gasoline! Leaded gasoline will severely damage your vehicle's catalytic  
converter.  
Methanol-blended fuels that do not meet the criteria listed above may cause corrosion and  
may damage plastic and rubber parts in the fuel system.  
Never use fuels that contain lead or other metals (check listing on the fuel pump). Even lead  
replacement gasoline (LRP fuels) contain metallic additives in high concentrations. They can  
damage the engine.  
Do not use fuels that fail to meet the criteria above, or with contents that cannot be  
identified.  
If you cannot tell whether a particular fuel blend meets the criteria above, ask your service  
station or its fuel supplier. If you notice a loss of fuel economy or drivability and performance  
problems using one of these fuel blends, we recommend that you switch to unblended fuel.  
Using fuels that are different from those specified above can damage your vehicle's engine  
and fuel system and cause performance problems.  
Damage to the engine and fuel system and performance problems caused by using fuels  
that are different from those specified above or by using “starting assist fluids” are not the  
responsibility of Volkswagen and are not covered under the Emission warranties or any other  
Volkswagen Limited Warranty.  
Even a single tank full of leaded fuel can do major damage to the catalytic converter and degrade  
its effectiveness in reducing polluting emissions.  
If you notice a loss of fuel economy or drivability and performance problems using one of these  
fuel blends, we recommend that you switch to unblended fuel. Never use fuel line antifreeze offered  
for gasoline engines.  
Applicable only in the United States and Canada  
Gasoline additives  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Additives are used to improve the quality of the gasoline.  
Fuel quality impacts the operating performance, efficiency and service life of the engine. Therefore,  
use quality gasoline that is already blended by the fuel supplier with suitable gasoline additives that do  
not contain metal. The additives provide corrosion protection, clean the fuel system, and prevent  
deposits on the engine.  
Volkswagen recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For more information on TOP TIER  
If quality gasoline with additives that do not contain metal is not available or engine malfunctions  
occur, you should add the required additives while refueling ⇒ꢀ  
.
Not all gasoline additives are effective. Using the wrong additives can cause significant and expensive  
damage to the engine and the catalytic converter. Never use additives that contain metal. Please note  
that metal can be included in some aftermarket gasoline additives that are available to be added to  
gasoline during or after refueling to help improve knock resistance or increase the octane rating.  
Volkswagen recommends using only additives approved by Volkswagen. Appropriate additives as well  
as instructions on how to use them are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Do not add any other gasoline additives.  
NOTICE  
You can damage the engine by using incorrect additives.