SubCompactor
Member
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- mazda 2 touring
I think I searched the owners manual over and couldn't find what octane to use. What are you guys using? Thanks!
What octane is recommended?
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MyPrecious
Member
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- 2014 Mazda 6 Sport - Soul Red Mica
Below is a cut/paste of the U.S. Mazda 2 owner's manual page 4-2 where we are told to run 87 octane minimum. Personally...I would not put any gasoline below 87 octane in my 2 unless it was an emergency and I had no other choice...and then I would fill up with 87 or higher octane at my earliest opportunity. If faced with a choice like Slow Paul...I would do what he did and purchase the next highest octane level that met or exceeded the 87 minimum level.
Though it would cost more...I would rather pay a bit more than subject my engine to substandard fuel. That said...I the wisdom I have generally read is that for most engines...using the recomended octane...in our case 87...is sufficient...that no appreciable benefit is realized by using a higher octane unless the vehicle has been designed to adjust performance to take advantage of the higher octane level. That by burning a higher octane than your vehicle is rated for...you are in essence wasting your money.
Now...at the risk of all of you making fun of me (pile on...I can take it
)...I had a 1999 Dodge Neon Sport that was able to run on 87 octane just fine...but the computer would boost performance with higher octane...and you achieved the highest rated horsepower of 150...only on premium...92...octane.
Now...in my defense....the Neon was the 2nd most fun automobile that I have ever owned...with my 2 being the most fun....but alas....the Neon suffered from (IMHO) the reliability issues typical of Chrysler products....and the mechanics at the dealership didn't have the skill to fix the problems...so with heavy heart I parted company with the Neon just prior to 36k miles. Now flame away! (boom06)
p.s. A very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving holiday to all my Mazda 2 Brothers and Sisters out there in the "matrix"...
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
Though it would cost more...I would rather pay a bit more than subject my engine to substandard fuel. That said...I the wisdom I have generally read is that for most engines...using the recomended octane...in our case 87...is sufficient...that no appreciable benefit is realized by using a higher octane unless the vehicle has been designed to adjust performance to take advantage of the higher octane level. That by burning a higher octane than your vehicle is rated for...you are in essence wasting your money.
Now...at the risk of all of you making fun of me (pile on...I can take it
)...I had a 1999 Dodge Neon Sport that was able to run on 87 octane just fine...but the computer would boost performance with higher octane...and you achieved the highest rated horsepower of 150...only on premium...92...octane. Now...in my defense....the Neon was the 2nd most fun automobile that I have ever owned...with my 2 being the most fun....but alas....the Neon suffered from (IMHO) the reliability issues typical of Chrysler products....and the mechanics at the dealership didn't have the skill to fix the problems...so with heavy heart I parted company with the Neon just prior to 36k miles. Now flame away! (boom06)
p.s. A very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving holiday to all my Mazda 2 Brothers and Sisters out there in the "matrix"...
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
87 is what I run and as you state, mentioned in the owner's manual. I wouldn't run anything less but where I live, 87 octane is the lowest. I know some states have 5 or more grades of gas. If it pings on 87 later on then you need a tune-up, injectors cleaned or something along those lines.
My Miata states 92 but I run 87 in it frequently. If outside temps are above 85 degrees it will tend to ping a little on 87 so I'll run 92 in hotter weather. I don't see any performance differences in the 87 versus 92 in it.
Typically, higher octane is required for higher compression engines but advances in engine designs have done away with some of that theory. The M2 1.5 liter has a 10.0 to 1 ratio for a whopping 100hp. My 1.8 liter Miata has a 9.5 to 1 ratio for around 150hp.
My Miata states 92 but I run 87 in it frequently. If outside temps are above 85 degrees it will tend to ping a little on 87 so I'll run 92 in hotter weather. I don't see any performance differences in the 87 versus 92 in it.
Typically, higher octane is required for higher compression engines but advances in engine designs have done away with some of that theory. The M2 1.5 liter has a 10.0 to 1 ratio for a whopping 100hp. My 1.8 liter Miata has a 9.5 to 1 ratio for around 150hp.
SubCompactor
Member
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- mazda 2 touring
Very nice. That's solid info! To know that actual drivers are using 87 is what I needed to know.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
