Mazda Axela 2006 1500cc , Which Octane ?

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joutei

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#133660 29-Oct-2013 21:01

Hey guys,

Sorry for the noob question, hopefully some of you car guru's can help me out.

Basically I have a Mazda Axela 2006 1500cc. I've been using 91 in the car for about 2 months.
One of my friends recommended I try 95 as it will help the engine run smoother and I may get more k'ms of it.

The fuel cap on my car doesn't specify what octane, what do you guys think ?

Also is bad to keep switching from 95 to 91 , I'm assuming yes but I will wait for an answer :) .

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#923795 29-Oct-2013 21:03

Being an import I'd go 95.

Inphinity

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#923808 29-Oct-2013 21:26

I doubt you'll see any improvement in using a higher octane than 91, as the 1500cc is not a particularly high-compression engine, though it also won't hurt. There should be no issue switching between 91 and 95 in an engine that doesn't need the higher octane rating.

scuwp

3885 posts

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#923814 29-Oct-2013 21:33

It should run happily on either although most imports are designed for higher octane fuels.

Personally I am in the higher octane camp. I believe it burns better and cleaner and the vehicles run better on better quality fuel. There is a slight improvement in economy offsetting the higher cost (let the debate begin).

Fuel octane has been debated a couple of times on GZ already.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

johny99

495 posts

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#923815 29-Oct-2013 21:33

don't use 91, wouldn't use BP or Gull either, but that is just me.

richms

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#923817 29-Oct-2013 21:35

Whats the issue with BP? I know I wont let gull's muck near my car...

Richard rich.ms

johny99

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#923824 29-Oct-2013 21:39

was waiting for that, find them (BP) to be on high side in terms off price,

johnr

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#923826 29-Oct-2013 21:41

91 is fine for the car they are not a high compression engine

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johny99

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#923828 29-Oct-2013 21:43

if you like ping use 91. different strokes for different folks I guess

johnr

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#923834 29-Oct-2013 21:54

johny99: if you like ping use 91. different strokes for different folks I guess

Do you know what the compression ratio for the engine is and also what the timing is set to?

Most modern cars have a knock sensor and will adjust timing advance to counter the engine knock

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#923835 29-Oct-2013 21:55

scuwp:
Personally I am in the higher octane camp. I believe it burns better and cleaner and the vehicles run better on better quality fuel. There is a slight improvement in economy offsetting the higher cost (let the debate begin).

Octane rating is not necessarily fuel quality, it's simply a measure of how much compression the fuel can withstand before detonating. Running too low an octane fuel for the engine will cause pre-detonation (the fuel will detonate early in the combustion cycle), causing loss of performance and efficiency. Provided the fuels used are able to withstand the engine's compression, higher octane won't by itself lead to any improvements in running - unless the engine is one of those (fairly common now, admittedly) capable of adjusting timing etc to accommodate for different fuels. That said, conversely there is no issue in using a higher octane fuel than the engine requires, and it will certainly result in better performance and economy than too low a rated fuel. Japanese standards require 'Regular' octane to be at least 90 RON, and premium to be 100. Of course, we tend to have 91, 95, or 98 here.

lxsw20

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#923849 29-Oct-2013 22:16

johnr:
johny99: if you like ping use 91. different strokes for different folks I guess

Do you know what the compression ratio for the engine is and also what the timing is set to?

Most modern cars have a knock sensor and will adjust timing advance to counter the engine knock

Economy car doesn't always equal low compression with direct injection systems. Kock sensors can only do so much at the end of the day.

johnr

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#923852 29-Oct-2013 22:20

lxsw20:
johnr:
johny99: if you like ping use 91. different strokes for different folks I guess

Do you know what the compression ratio for the engine is and also what the timing is set to?

Most modern cars have a knock sensor and will adjust timing advance to counter the engine knock

Economy car doesn't always equal low compression with direct injection systems. Kock sensors can only do so much at the end of the day.

These cars are not known for high compression or high performance they are a run around car in japan but with nice looks not like the 2.0 and 2.3SP

lxsw20

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#923859 29-Oct-2013 22:35

I own an MPS I know they aren't the performance one. I was more pointing out that with direct injection systems it is not always the case they will be a low compression engine or run properly lower quality fuel. Mitzi GDI systems and Toyota D4 systems do not handle 91 well at all for example.

joutei

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#923896 29-Oct-2013 23:54

Seems like there is mixed opinions, Well I poured $20 95 tonight.

Car seems to be running smoother, lets see how the milage goes.

Overall It seems like it does not matter which fuel is used ?

xpd

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#923919 30-Oct-2013 06:52

We purchased an imported 04 Nissan Wingroad (1500cc) a few years ago and got told "yeah, 91 is fine" - nope. After a couple of weeks, started hearing the dreaded ping.... switched to 95 and that went away and the car ran a lot smoother.

In my Legacy, didnt use anything but 95+. Didnt want to run the risk of 91 killing it ;)

Pretty much Japan has higher octane fuels than us (min for them is 95/98 I think), so usually best to just keep with that.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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