In a BMW X1, you must use premium gas with 91 octanes or above. If you fill up with regular gas, which is 87 octane, your car won’t run well. It probably won’t be harmed straight away, but the parts will eventually start to wear. Evidently, you can use diesel in this vehicle because else it won’t start. You will discover that this car’s fuel costs are roughly 20 to 25 percent more than those of most other vehicles due to the type of gas it uses.
In This Article...
Considering the pros and cons of running a BMW X1 on regular gas
The majority of premium automobiles need higher-quality fuel. But if you drive a BMW X1, you might be curious if you can use ordinary gas to power it.
Owners of the BMW X1 are advised to use gasoline with an anti-knock index (often referred to as the octane rating) of 91. In other words, premium gas is recommended for this vehicle to operate at its optimum. A BMW X1 can only utilize fuel with an octane level of 89 or higher. BMW advises X1 owners to fill up with BP gas.
Although the BMW X1 will still function properly on standard gasoline, premium fuel is recommended for optimum performance. The fuel type that is advised for use in a BMW X1 and the results of doing so will be covered in this article. Let’s get going.
GerWil
In any of the BMWs I’ve owned, I’ve never used premium fuel, but I do always use 89 octane, the minimum advised. The owner’s manual advises using 91 octane if knocking is noticed at high outside temps even though using 89 won’t hurt the automobile. Using 87 octane would reduce fuel economy since the engine timing might need to be delayed, but because 89 octane is advised, I don’t think that will happen.
The Drawbacks of Filling Your BMW With Regular Gas
Buying expensive gas for your BMW or any other vehicle might be costly. You may be able to save money by using ordinary fuel depending on the model of your BMW, but there will be a cost. We think that saving money right away isn’t worth endangering your car.
Thanks to more electronic components, most new BMWs can run on ordinary gasoline, but this might put stress on several elements, including the electronic knock sensors in your engine. These electrical parts provide the engine the ability to recognize the sort of fuel it’s using and alter performance accordingly, protecting your engine.
Regular fuel has the additional drawback of altering the performance of your engine, which results in a reduction in power and slower acceleration. But this isn’t a significant loss. Most vehicles that are advised to use premium fuel but switch to normal gas will lose around 10 HP. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you bought your BMW for its power, even if it probably won’t be a major concern if you only use it to get around town.
There are some exceptions to this rule, just like with anything. Certain BMWs do need premium fuel.
These are the most typical causes for a BMW to need premium, but this is by no means a complete list. In the event that your BMW fits one of the following descriptions, avoid using normal gasoline in it:
- Your vehicle predates the 1996 model year.
- It’s a model M.
- It has a turbo engine or one with high compression.
- Your model of vehicle must utilize premium gasoline, per BMW.
A complete list of BMWs (model years 2012–2019) that demand premium can be found here, while a list of BMWs that recommend premium but can operate on regular can be found here. Remember, though, that continuing to run as usual can have negative effects. Above all, before converting from premium to normal unleaded, always consult your owner’s manual.
What type of fuel does the BMW X1 run on?
No matter what model you have, BMW advises only using premium unleaded fuel. That’s not to say that your BMW won’t run on inferior fuel, but premium unleaded fuel will keep its quality over time, allowing you to constantly drive at peak performance.
Does a BMW X1 actually require premium fuel?
In a BMW X1, you must use premium gas with 91 octanes or above. If you fill up with regular gas, which is 87 octane, your car won’t run well.
What is the best gas brand for a BMW?
91+ octane fuel is the fuel created exclusively for use in BMW high-compression engines. Because it optimizes engine function and reduces fuel waste, you can travel farther on a single tank of gas, increasing your miles per gallon.
Does 87 octane fuel work in a BMW?
According on the state you’re in, we switched between the common types of premium gas to meet BMW’s minimum and recommended 91-octane gasoline requirements.
Will 89 fit in my BMW X1?
The quick response is: NO! We do not advise using subpar fuel in BMWs. When reading the owner’s manual for some models, this might seem like a good alternative, but Triangle Imports doesn’t subscribe to that way of thinking. The potential harm that conventional petrol could do to your car is simply not worth it.
Will my BMW be damaged if I use ordinary gas?
How Much Does a BMW X1 Fill Up Cost? The recommended fuel grade for the BMW X1 is premium unleaded (AKI rating 91), while normal unleaded with an AKI rating of 89 is the lowest permitted grade.
Is Costco fuel suitable for BMW?
Start with the simple one. A standard grade 87 or 89 is advised for the majority of vehicles on the road. It’s perfectly fine to fill a normal vehicle with premium gas between 90 and 93. According to auto experts, using premium fuel in a regular car poses little risk of damage.
Can I fuel my BMW with 89 octane?
As we previously stated, premium gas is ideal for a BMW. Because premium gasoline has a higher octane rating and is better suited to high compression engines, it is the optimum fuel for BMW vehicles. Regular gas only has an octane rating of 87, but premium gas might have a rating of 92.
Why does a BMW need premium fuel?
It won’t hurt vehicles made to run on regular gasoline to mix regular or mid-grade gasoline (87-89 octane) with premium fuel (91-93 octane). Nevertheless, depending on the vehicle, blending various types of gasoline in vehicles made for premium fuel could cause engine knocking and fuel system damage.
What benefits and drawbacks come with owning a BMW?
If you use higher octane fuel, it won’t harm your engine. For instance, it’s acceptable to use 95 or 98 in an engine made for 91. However, don’t go below the manufacturer’s minimum octane recommendation when using fuel. It may cause damage to use 91 in an engine made for 95 or 98.
What happens if I fill up a premium vehicle with normal gas?
Your car’s ECU will modify engine timing and performance to work with the lower-octane fuel if you accidently fill up with ordinary petrol. Most of the time, this is acceptable for situations where there are no premium fuel pumps nearby, but using the cheapest fuel for extended periods of time is not recommended.
What happens if I fill up with regular gas once instead of premium?
Other factors to think about include the possibility of component damage, voiding your warranty, and engine knocking or pinging that sounds like a big woodpecker is under your hood if you don’t use high-octane fuel in your premium vehicle. Ouch
Do you get higher gas mileage when you use premium fuel?
- Engine and transmission quality
- interior design caliber
- Foreign Automobile Manufacturer
- Less annual depreciation
- High Costs of Ownership
- Final Verdict on BMW Pros and Cons
If I don’t use premium gas, what happens?
Just the chemical that they add to the gas is the main distinction between 87 and 91 octane fuel. They still include unleaded fuel that will operate properly in your car. The additive’s goal is to increase the gas’ resistance to pre-detonation, also known as pinging or knocking.
Can I combine gas from 87 and 91?
Most of the time, the car will run just fine, although you might notice less power and reduced gas mileage. Because the fuel isn’t burning properly in more acute cases, you might hear engine banging or valve chatter. You should take it to your mechanic because these things could harm your engine.
Can I substitute 89 octane for 93 octane?
Engine knock is reduced by using premium gas, which has a higher octane rating. According to The Drive, 87 octane will almost immediately start the engine banging in older vehicles that need premium fuel. However, newer models of vehicles are more prepared to manage it.
Does the difference between 87 and 91 octane actually exist?
“Use premium unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 91, you could harm the engine and perhaps void your car’s warranty. If significant knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 91 octane or above, the engine needs service.”
What would happen if 91 was entered instead of 95?
In all of our BMWs and other vehicles, we utilize Costco gas. Even my BMW m8 v8 with dual turbos uses it. It’s ideal and effective. Kirkland Signature gasoline satisfies all Top Tier standards for Regular, Premium, and Diesel.
What happens if 87 is entered in instead of 91?
The quick response is nothing. You won’t run the risk of damaging your brother’s automobile because the majority of BMWs can run on ordinary gas. The BMW will identify when you use standard gas instead of premium and may operate with a little less power and timing, but all of the components will function as intended.