Hello,

I have a 2022 XC60 B5 inscription. I’ve been using l87 octane gas per my dealers recommendation but just learned that 91 is recommended. Any harm in using the lower octane gas? Triedmoremium today and the ride felt smoother,just not sure if it was my imagination. I can’t find anything specific Ophir the B5 model in the manual and sites like Edmunds don’t give a clear answers. Any pros/cons?

 

What does your owners manual say and where are you located? What does your sticker inside the fuel filler door say? Key thing is whether the labels say recommended or required. Check out https://www.volvocars.com/us/own/own...owners-manuals for online owner manuals - A quick search shows me that for the 2022s 91 octane is required (at least for US models).

 

I think you should read your owners manual a little closer... The link you provide lists the older T series for the 2022 Models (the manual is outdated), and the question was regarding the NEW B series.

That stated...... the B series uses the same basic engine as the T series, so I assume the fuel Octane rating is the same. It also is stated on the inside of the Fuel Fill Door on the car as 91 minimum (USA Models). Since the engine is a Turbo charged high compression engine it requires the higher octane to get the maximum Fuel Economy and Performance, so I would recommend using the higher octane fuel.

Cost is under $4 per week when driving ~12,500 miles per year.

 

What I've learned from doing instructional resources for automotive companies is... Modern engines are smaller yet more powerful than their big brothers just 10-20+ years ago, yet require better oil, better fuel, and a better maintenance regimen to keep them running at top performance. Crazy to think about it, but today, we're talking 4 cylinder engines can easily produce over 300 HP all day long. Today's design and manufacturing technologies have been able to create engines with running clearances that are extremely tight producing high compression and high torque/HP numbers. Naturally aspiration and carburetors are virtually obsolete. Now the norm is Direct Fuel Injection and Forced Air Induction all controlled by the ECU and an orchestra of sensors tuned like a fine Stradivarius violin.

That being said, you don't want to venture outside of what the manufacturer strongly recommends. DFI engines will experience knock and in some cases LSPI if you don't run good TopTier premium fuel in these cars. (I did a whole video on LSPI). TopTier fuel is a must in my opinion, but I know many of you won't agree. We run 93 Octane Shell V or Chevron. It's expensive, but service is more expensive.

Personally, I've learned a lesson running cheap fuel in a modern DFI engine and it cost me dearly replacing the clogged injectors. Same goes for oil. If the manufacturer of the engine says run 0W20 synthetic then run 0W20... don't think in terms of the last generation XC60 you had that ran perfectly fine on 5W30 conventional oil.

Cheers!

 

The owner's manual for 2022 XC60 Recharge says that (US) octane 93 (premium gas) is recommended, and that the minimum you should use is octane 91... Since the "B" (non-plugin) models also have a supercharger, I'm assume that the gasoline octane ratings will be the same...

 

I put Premium (93) gas in my B5. The manual does state 91 octane to be lowest. Personally, I wouldn’t risk using a lower octane than 91, as there’s typically more ethanol content in the lower octanes and could mess with how the fuel system is calibrated.

 

If your vehicle is still under warranty, or extended warranty, you will need to follow the manual regarding octane levels. Any engine problems that may develop, one of the first things your Volvo service center will check is the octane of the gasoline being used. Using a lower octane rating would void your warranty.

 

Do you really know this for a fact? I've been dealing with Volvo for years and have never heard of such a practice. Even if they did, it wouldn't prove anything. The owner could have been running Shell V Power 93 since it was driven off the lot new, but got a bad tank of gas when taking it in for service. It proves nothing more than one bad tank of gas.... that's it.

 

I know very little for a fact. All I'm going by is what my dealer told me when I questioned the need to use high octane gasoline. Why risk voiding a warranty?

 

From my experience/testing, I've gotten noticeably worse gas mileage (mpg) and had noticeably less torque (power) when accelerating when I've used less-than-recommended-octane gasoline. It's not worth it. If you're going to spend the big bucks to buy a luxury car like a Volvo, why scrimp on gasoline? My decision has been to go to buying only cars with plugs now (our XC60 T8 ER is our third PHEV bought since 2018), so putting in premium gasoline for road trips doesn't feel so painful (even at $5.60/gallon here).

 

My 2022 B5 fuel door clearly shows that 91 octane is the minimum required, so I would not use 87 octane. I buy 93 octane because where I live the choices are 87, 89 or 93 octane. The manual also recommends using Top Tier Fuel brands.