Can the Mazda CX-4 use 95 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Mazda CX-4 should use 92 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, the Mazda CX-4 can also check it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be marked. Usually, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should choose 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should choose 95 octane gasoline. However, with the use of some new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be determined solely by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be adjusted to use lower-grade gasoline because, in addition to the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Mazda CX-4 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after use. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade may have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower-grade gasoline, using higher-grade gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number will change the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, and the actual feedback experience is reduced power. For vehicles recommended to use higher-grade gasoline, using lower-grade gasoline may cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the fuel's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites, resistance will appear during the upward stroke. This resistance will make the engine run very unstably. If it is mild knocking, it only increases noise and does not significantly damage the engine. However, if there is obvious knocking, it indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.
I've been driving my Mazda CX-4 for over two years and always fill it with 95-octane gasoline. The engine feels smoother and more powerful, with slightly better fuel efficiency. According to the owner's manual, it recommends either 95 or 92 octane, but long-term use of 95 provides better protection against carbon buildup and knocking. I tried 92 once and occasionally heard some noise—while it saves money, the risks are higher. I recommend sticking with 95, especially in summer to prevent engine overheating. Always choose fuel from reputable gas stations to ensure quality. Don't compromise by using lower-octane fuel to save money, as it could damage the engine and lead to costly repairs. In short, if you can afford 95, it's worth using.
