Get Fuel Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Fuel

¤ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Gasoline

Gasoline additives

The correct fuel grade for your engine is shown on a sticker located

on the inside of the fuel filler flap ⇒ꢀfig. 162.

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 ve-

hicle 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 refu-

eling.

Never get back into your vehicle while refueling. If in excep-

tional 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 ac-

cording 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,

http://www.toptiergas.com.

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 (me-

thyl 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 alco-

hol):

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 15% 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 condi-

tion.

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 cri-

teria 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 per-

formance problems.

Damage to the engine and fuel system and performance prob-

lems caused by using fuels that are different from those speci-

fied above or by using “starting assist fluids” are not the re-

sponsibility of Volkswagen and are not covered under the Emis-

sion 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.

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 ser-

vice life of the engine. Therefore, use high quality gasoline that is al-

ready blended by the fuel supplier with suitable gasoline additives

that do not contain metal. The additives provide corrosion protection,

clean the fuel system, and help prevent deposits on the engine.

Volkswagen recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For more

information on TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, please go to the official

Web site http://www.toptiergas.com.

If quality gasoline with additives that do not contain metal is not avail-

able or engine malfunctions occur, you should add the required addi-

tives while refueling ⇒ꢀ .

Not all gasoline additives are effective. Using the wrong additives can

cause significant and expensive damage to the engine and the cata-

lytic 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 gaso-

line additives.

NOTICE

You can damage the engine by using incorrect additives.

Using incorrect gasoline additives can cause extensive engine

damage as well as damage to the catalytic converter.

If you must fuel your vehicle with gasoline whose octane rat-

ing is too low, only drive with the engine speed in the middle of

the rpm range and with low engine load. Avoid high rpm and

heavy engine load. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.

Refuel your vehicle with gasoline with the required octane rating

as soon as possible.

Do not use fuel that is labeled at the pump as containing met-

al. Lead replacement fuel contains high concentrations of metal-

lic additives. Engine damage could result.

Fueling your vehicle just one time with leaded fuel or fuel that

contains other metallic additives can affect the performance of

the catalytic converter and cause extensive damage to it.

Fuel for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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