Should I Use Premium Fuel for My Mazda?

With the price of gasoline on the rise, you may be wondering, “Should I use premium fuel for my Mazda?” This is a good question to ask, as many people aren’t sure of the difference between regular and premium grades of gas. While most vehicles these days, including Mazdas, will run fine on a lower-grade fuel, going for the premium option may improve the overall performance of your car. Let’s explore the different grades of gas and how they’ll affect your vehicle’s performance, so you can decide if you should get premium fuel the next time you fill up.

What Are the Different Types of Fuel?

You’ve likely noticed that there are several options as you pull up beside the fuel pump when it’s time to put more gas in your tank. Hopefully, you’ve also read through your owner’s manual so you know what type of fuel is recommended for the year, make, and model of your particular Mazda. But you may be curious to know the real difference between the fuel types. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand more about each type of fuel:

Regular

The difference between fuel types ultimately lies in their octane levels. Regular-grade gas has the lowest octane level and is the cheapest variety available. It has a rating of 87 octane, making it the most volatile. This is the type of fuel that most cars can run on and is probably the best for your vehicle unless it specifically requires a high-grade fuel.

Midgrade

Some gas stations sell what’s referred to as midgrade gasoline. This is typically 89 or 90 octane fuel, making it slightly more stable than 87 octane fuel. However, unless you’re concerned about the combustibility of your fuel, this grade of gas is probably not worth the extra money. Your Mazda’s manual will likely suggest that you use either 87 to 90 octane fuel or a higher grade, which means that it will run the same on 87 octane as it will on 90 octane. So why spend the extra money?

Premium

Premium grade gasoline has a minimum octane of 91, but it can go as high as 93 octane. Some Mazda vehicles recommend you use premium fuel, especially on those with turbo engines. Check your owner’s manual to determine whether your Mazda needs 91 or 93 octane fuel. Some models may require that you use premium fuel, in which case you’ll only want to put this grade in your gas tank.

Which Mazda Vehicles Require Premium Fuel?

While most Mazda models can run with regular gasoline, upgrading your engine or trim level may mean you need to use premium gas. For some models, you can opt to use premium gas to improve efficiency and performance, but it’s not required. These are the Mazda models and trims that require premium fuel:

• 2021 Mazda3 Sedan: 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
• 2020 Mazda6: Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Limited.
• 2021 Mazda CX-5: Grand Touring Reserve, Signature, and Carbon Edition.

These are the models that recommend premium fuel at certain trim levels or for specific driving conditions, such as on the highway:

• 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
• 2020 Mazda CX-3.
• 2021 Mazda CX-9.

Can You Use Different Fuel in Your Mazda?

If you want a Mazda that can take premium fuel to improve its performance but still runs fine on regular fuel, you can opt for a model that only recommends premium fuel. If your owner’s manual states that your Mazda’s engine can take 87 octane fuel but will perform better with 91 or 93 octane in the tank, then feel free to use either fuel type. On the other hand, if your manual states that premium fuel, or fuel with an octane above 90 is required, you’ll want to stick with that octane when you’re at the pump.

Using a lower-grade fuel may save you money when you’re gassing up, but over time, cars that require premium fuel will show wear and tear sooner if you regularly put 87 octane in your gas tank. Luckily, most Mazdas don’t require premium fuel, meaning you can drive a luxury vehicle for less.

Which Mazdas Get the Best Gas Mileage?

When choosing your next Mazda, fuel efficiency may be a top priority. So we’ve put together this list to help you learn more about the fuel economy of the vehicles in the Mazda lineup and what you can expect when you get behind the wheel of one of these fuel-efficient vehicles:

Mazda3 Sedan

At the base trim level, the Mazda3 sedan gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg out on the highway. Front-wheel drive is standard, and the engine pairs with a Skyactiv-Drive six-speed electronically controlled sport automatic transmission to bring you smooth shifting and quick acceleration.

Mazda CX-30

You’ll love driving the Mazda CX-30, and not just because it gets 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. This vehicle is equipped with the i-Activ all-wheel drive with off-road traction assist at every trim level, providing you with the grip you need in any type of weather.

Mazda CX-5

In the CX-5, you’ll enjoy up to 24 mpg when you drive in the city, and taking this stylish and sporty SUV out on the highway will increase the rating to 30 mpg. This fun-to-drive vehicle has a 2.5-liter engine under the hood that delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda CX-9

You can expect to get up to 20 mpg on city streets and 26 mpg on the highway when you drive the Mazda CX-9. By putting premium fuel in your CX-9, you can get an output of 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque you get with regular fuel.

If you have more questions about whether you should put premium fuel in your Mazda, contact the team at Mazda of Orange. We can help you determine which type of fuel is best for your ride, and you can bring it to our service department if you have any issues or concerns with its performance.

Black and White Street Light by Engin Akyurt is licensed with Pexels