I called the Mazda Customer Service Center. They said the 2002 Owner's Manuals says to use 87+ and they said for my car I should use 87+

I think the "Special Edition" is the MP3 which probably uses the 91+ Octane Rating.

Stop the madness!!! Technically, I'm right because my User's Manual is wrong. Hehe.

HAHA! Oh well, I'll just use 91+ anyways

 

In my 2002 protege/protege 5 manual it says to use regular gas 87 octane gas or above.

Greg

 

My dealer gave me an outdated User's Manual and now I have shamed myself and my family. I will commit seppuku immediately.

 

Here is an excellent explanation of pinging and octane written by an ex-GM engineer who spent the majority of his time there working with engine controllers.

http://www.msgroup.org/Contrary/NEG037.html

Here's a motorcycle site that discusses the difference in octanes and power content in fuel.

http://www.factorypro.com/tech/fuel_..._vs_power.html

 

Looks like you can use any kind of gas you want as long as there is no pinging. I'll spend the extra 2 bucks every fill up for the peace of mind that the higher octane fuel gives me better protection against pinging.

 

As was quoted from the owners manual:

"Your Mazda will perform best with regular unleaded fuel having a research octane number (antiknock index) of at least 91 [(R+M)/2 method, 87]"

On most gasoline pumps in North America, the method of stating octane is (R+M)/2. Therefore, look for an 87 octane rating, not 91.

 

I'm leaning towards siding with Zeriak on this one... Why not spend the extra $2 per tank and have the peace of mind knowing you did all you could as far as gasoline types go? I think I'm going to put only high octane gas in my car...

I may also move to synthetic oil too... still haven't decided as of yet.

PJStyles

 

Why not spend an extra $2 per tank? Probably because the manufacturer spent hundreds of thousands of dollars tuning the engine to run on 87 octane.

In a recent report of fuel economy and usage by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), they stated: "Consumers should always use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer in the owner's manual. In many cases, using high-octane fuel in a vehicle that does not require it will actually decrease fuel economy."

And here's a quote from VP Racing Fuels (a division of Medford Fuel), "The key to getting the best racing gasoline is not neccesarily buying the fuel with the highest octane but getting the one that is best suited to your engine."

And answer me this... in today's world where manufacturers (particularly Japanese) are competing for the best reliability, why is it that they would tell you to run 87 octane fuel if it is going to be harmful for the engine? In fact, what they tell you to use is what is best for your engine and they have come to that conclusion through their own testing!

-Jerry

 

I understand that... but the Protege is marketed to the average consumer if you ask me... I don't think it would go over too well with many consumers had they put 91 octane levels as the bare minimum... then again who knows.

Not really sure what to believe if truth be told

PJStyles

 

So is that product, Redline SI, recommended? And where does one in Canada get it? And it should be used every 16 tanks of gas?

PJStyles

 

Will using a good fuel cleaner at regular intervals limit any occurences of knock/pinging? I don't even know what pinging sounds like since I've never heard of it before.. I'm new to auto mechanics as you can see

PJStyles

 

I guess my only question is why wait to here a knock when you can just use high octane gas to prevent it in the first place. I read the article you posted with all those details... I guess the next best solution is to run a bottle of Redline SI-1 every 6 months as you mentioned and go from there... perhaps I'll just do it every 2nd oil change.... which is approximately every 12,000km or so.

PJStyles

 

Hmm....lots of talk about fuel system additives and cleaners here.

And we are all quoting the manual for the proper octane gas to use?

Well, to futher quote the manual, page 4-2:

"Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those specified by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer"

I believe the 87 octane gas rating, and I don't follow the "hype" of higher octane. I've used 87 since day one, and with 26,000 on the odo, I have no problems, and few extra bucks in my pocket.

But what additives are Mazda approved? Is this just "hype" to keep us visiting the dealers for fuel system service, rather than just dumping a pint in the tank ourselves?

I have not used any additives in the year I've had my P5. So - what should I do? What would my "Authorized Mazda Dealer" recommend I put in the tank?

 

Interesting post... I'd be interested to hear some replies to this last post....

PJStyles

 

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And if it's not needed, it's simply not needed. Why pay more if you don't need it????