Shell V Power and the Mazda Skyactiv X engine

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Thu 16 Jan 2020 19:18
Shell V Power and the Mazda Skyactiv X engine - misar

On a North American forum somebody posted this comment:

Shell V Power is high octane fuel, the equivalent of 93 octane in the US [this is the same as 98 RON in UK]. High octane would not work well in the SA-X. While conventional engines have sensors to prevent pre-ignition, the SA-X actually uses the principles of pre-ignition to function. Higher octane fuel is more knock resistant, so the lean burn compression ignition would have problems.

Would be interesting to hear HJ's thoughts on this. Mazda actually recommend 95 RON.

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Thu 16 Jan 2020 21:30
Shell V Power and the Mazda Skyactiv X engine - Engineer Andy

Ask a main dealer. If they have no information, ask Mazda UK. I've not heard anything, and I was in my local dealership on Tuesday picking up a minor part. Nothing on their website to say this was true.

I would say it's a load of rubbish, but admitedly I have nothing to back that up other than a lack of anything to say otherwise on their website. Mazda recommend 95 RON for all their cars, that's just normal - that doesn't mean 98-100 RON is bad. I seriously doubt if (after the engine has been out fo 9 months now) they would've forgot to say don't use X or Y fuel.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 07:59
Shell V Power and the Mazda Skyactiv X engine - craig-pd130

I don't know the specifics of that engine, but if it does allow compression ignition in specific driving conditions then I would think the ECU would be closely monitoring several factors such as EGT, the knock sensor, etc so that the compression ignition would not spiral into uncontrolled detonation. This level of monitoring would enable the engine to take the fuel grade into account.

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