Before Driving Your Mazda; Fuel Requirements; Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions- Page 66

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Before Driving Your Mazda

Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F

Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions

Vehicles with catalytic converters must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL, which will reduce 
exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.

Fuel with a lower rating could cause the emission control system to lose effectiveness. It 
could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.

Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.

*U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.

2.5 liter V6 DOHC

You may use a regular unleaded fuel with Octane Rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON) but 
this will slightly reduce performance.

Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally 
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your 
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as 
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".

Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not 
be covered by the Mazda warranty.

•

Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.

•

Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.

•

Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.

Fuel Requirements

Fuel

Octane Rating* (Anti-knock index)

Premium unleaded fuel

91 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)

•

USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter. The lead will accumulate on the 
oxygen sensor and the catalyst inside the converter. This will result in a malfunction 
of the emission control system, causing poor performance.

•

Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol by 
volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this 
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any 
kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.

•

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.

CAUTION

J76Y.book  Page 2  Wednesday, March 27, 2002  5:04 PM