Mazda + Biofuels

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xpd

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#189108 17-Dec-2015 08:42

I'm a bit confused (its early and I had a late night).....

http://gull.nz/assets/Uploads/compatibility.pdf

The above list shows Mazda as "All models except below" but has cross for the biofuel, so do I take that as that NO Mazdas can use the biofuel (apart from the list), even a 2010 model ?

If so, seems like a very small amount of Mazdas are "eco friendly" towards fuel :)

And a sod because theyre doing cheap gas today and we need to fill up the car but need 95/98.....

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Klathman

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#1452091 17-Dec-2015 09:15

I tend to avoid the bio-mix fuels from Gull. They might be cheaper but we tend to get much lower milage out of them for both petrol and diesel. I worked out at one point that they needed to be more than 10c cheaper to offset the milage drop that we saw.

My RX8 will run on their standard mix BUT it doesn't have as much power and seems like it really isn't happy about it.

wellygary

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#1452092 17-Dec-2015 09:19

It looks like the AA got their list from here, so no there are few Mazda's certified for E10

https://www.mazda.co.nz/about-mazda/mazda-frequently-asked-questions

Which list the same approved vehciles as the Gull list,

but also notes
"Imported Japan Domestic used vehicles, regardless if there is a New Zealand new equivalent (example. Axela / Mazda3) have only been tested and approved to run on a maximum 3% bio-ethanol fuel mixture (E3). These same vehicles have not been tested for safe operation using a 10% ethanol blend. As such we do not recommend using the Bio Ethanol fuel currently available in New Zealand."

xpd

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#1452118 17-Dec-2015 09:42

Cheers, Ill avoid Gull then for the "new' car...... try to be green but not allowed.... :)

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nzkiwiman

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#1452168 17-Dec-2015 10:43

Looks like I can use E10 being a NZ New Mazda3
Not that we have a Gull station in the South Island ...

geoffwnz

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#1452205 17-Dec-2015 11:20

Bio-ethanol fuels strike me as "false" green when you have to use more of it per km.
Motorsport NZ did some bench testing of the race E85. Yep you could tune it for as much power as regular 98 or Race 100. However, it took approx 50% more fuel to make that power on E85.
I'm glad Subaru have much the same outlook on Bio Fuels as Mazda though it means I can only run the race car on BP 98 as it's the only non E high octane fuel that's easily obtainable.

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richms

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#1452288 17-Dec-2015 13:54

I had my first and only sub 300k tankful when I put gull into the falcon. Was the low octane one, but that makes minimal difference when I accidentally put 91 in the car a previous time.

Richard rich.ms

wellygary

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#1452305 17-Dec-2015 14:29

The AA's take on it is that the slightly lower cost does not compensate for the lower performance of E-blends in NZ on pure price comparison.

http://www.aa.co.nz/membership/aa-directions/driver/fuel-duel-mineral-fuels-vs-bio-blends/

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bigreddog

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#1452336 17-Dec-2015 14:54

Slight off topic - but if you want the cheap fuel, just find another brand close to a Gull - most seem to be price matching here in Tauranga today.

richms

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#1452342 17-Dec-2015 15:00

Yeah. Thats about the only thing gull has done positive to the fuel industry. But the caltex near gull here only matches on 91, the 95 is sometimes 30c + more per liter.

Richard rich.ms

Jase2985

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#1452344 17-Dec-2015 15:03

caltex are really bad for that, mobil, Z and BP not so much

bigreddog

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#1452353 17-Dec-2015 15:22

richms: Yeah. Thats about the only thing gull has done positive to the fuel industry. But the caltex near gull here only matches on 91, the 95 is sometimes 30c + more per liter.

I wouldn't know, I just go to Gull - in all my testing I get significantly better milage and value from Force10/BP Ultimate than i do from Z's 95, so I'm quite happy to use it.

Coil

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#1452364 17-Dec-2015 15:42

I avoid gull like the plague.
BP is the only station in NZ that sells true 98.
All the others blend additives or ethanol to increase the octane or RON. Cant remember what it is.

richms

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#1452378 17-Dec-2015 16:09

Gull also tried it on with tax fraud over adding butane to the fuel. Wonder why fuel goes off? Thats part of the reason there.

Richard rich.ms