Is 95 Octane Gasoline the Best Choice for the Mazda 3 Axela?
1 Answers
Using 95 octane gasoline is not the best choice for the Mazda 3 Axela; it should be filled with 92 octane gasoline, as recommended in the vehicle's official owner's manual. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the owner's manual, the Mazda 3 Axela's recommended fuel type can also be found on the fuel filler cap, which is typically labeled. Generally, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane gasoline. For higher compression ratios, 98 octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the appropriate gasoline grade, as high-compression engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane fuel. 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 3 Axela is occasionally filled with the wrong gasoline grade, simply switching back to the correct grade after use is sufficient. However, prolonged use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower octane fuel, using a higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increased octane number can alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher octane fuel, using a lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. The significantly lower octane number reduces the fuel's ignition point, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is generated during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. Mild knocking may only increase noise without obvious engine damage, but noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions. The vibrations not only affect driving stability but also cause abnormal wear on the pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to severe engine damage such as cylinder scoring.