Just bought a 2020 CX-5 with Skyactiv-G 2.5L engine. That is a GDI engine. Although the manual doesn't say so, would Top Tier fuel be appropriate to help keep the intake valves from getting crapped up? Or has Mazda solved the problem most GDIs have with the intake valves getting crapped up over time?

BTW, what does Skyactiv mean? That is a goofy name.

 

If you are in the USA I recomend only using Chevron fuels.

And no....... not all fuels are the same in their proprietary retail distributed mixtures from the brand named fuel distribution companies.

A few of my friends and associates i the Performance business in different parts of the US have tested a variety of fuels over a few years and found for direct port FI engines using gasoline the best fuels overall are Chevron, then Shell, and then its your risk to choose from their.I realize ya'll have your own opinions but our conclusions and my recommendation was based on Dyno testing, inspection of the intake and combustion chambers and running countless specific gravity testing of the fuels used. I do however will use &^ union racing or 100 Plus octane on occasion but only thus far for the MINI's.

The only way to reduce the effects of carbon build up in direct injected engines is with a water, water/meth system going through the intake manifold just after the Throttle body. Also a good quality catch can won't hurt.


As for the name Skyactiv I have no clue what it means or why? LOL
I know I keep spelling it incorrectly all the time as Skyactive... with an "e" at the end LOL

I did find this LOL
"the name SKYACTIV is derived from a Japanese phrase meaning, “the sky's the limit!”

 

I would prefer to buy Chevron gasoline for all my vehicles. However Chevron stations in my area have been selling out to something called Speedway. And Circle K has also taken over a few brand name outlets. QT sells Top Tier and there are a few in the area. Maybe I ought to start dumping in a bottle of Techron form time to time.

 

Speedway is an Ohio corporation with stations in about 36 states. It's prices are usually lower than the big names. I use Shell most of the time myself though.

 

To be sure if it does not appear to be an 100% branded station like Chevron or Shell you have to either look at the licencing who's fuel the station actually buys their fuel from from,ask the owner/manager of the station or see what the tankers are that service the stations. You would be surprised how many different fuel can be sold at any given none company contracted fuel station out of a single fuel tank delivery to the pumps.
I really hate the term "top tier" when talking about gasoline, it really does not apply to well. You get what you pay for regarding fuel. Cheaper fuels at the large chain stores like Costco does not mean quality fuel. How often you actually see a real Shell Tanker pulling up and servicing them?

Additives are pretty good for supporting the cleaning of fuel injectors and combustion chambers unfortunately its only air that goes around the intake vales not fuel. So the only way to keep them carbon free or at least better control the carbon formation is what I mentioned in my first response.

 

SkyActiv is Mazda's branding for its current technology package. It covers the engine, transmission, suspension & chassis.

I undertook a two day training course covering everthing SKYACTIV as part of my Mazda Master Technician training.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyActiv

 

Question for those who agonize over top tier fuels........ What's your end goal? 1,000,000 miles?


I'm approaching 30,000mi on my '19 GTR and it's running like a top. When gas prices are high, I use 87 octane. Right now, with 93 octane at ~~$2.25/gal, I have been using that, regardless of brand. Performance-wise, my seat of the pants impression is no perceptible difference. The only thing I do notice is that it idles much more smoothly with 93, to the point I hardly can tell it is running. If you are the typical owner, looking to get 200k miles or less out of your vehicle, before trading, any fuel is just fine. Of course, that's JMHO........

 

99% of the time you won't feel improved performance on higher octane, however you would most likely find increased fuel economy, whether the increased price matches increased fuel economy is sometimes questionable.

You can compare it to buying $9 walmart sneakers vs $50 adidas or asics. Do you love your car? Do you care about car?


My car is rated for 91 octane ( Australian spec octane rating is different to the USA ) I achieve increased km's per tank on 95.

 

Here in the US, the price difference does not cost-justify the increased MPG. I saw a 1mpg difference at best.

 

For me if 91 octane is $1 per litre, 95 is usually $1.12 or $1.13 per litre.

91 will get me 450 - 470kms. 95 will get me 470-500km per tank.

Yes the extra cost doesn't quite equate to increased fuel range, but I love & care for my car so I use the better grade fuel.