catalytic converter MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2016 Owners Manual

3–22
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a min\
imum.
This vehicle will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
FuelOctane Rating* (Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [(R
M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline stat\
ion pumps.
Regular unleaded fuel with an octane rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON) can be used, but
this will reduce performance slightly, such as reduced engine output, and engine knocking.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) will negatively affect the emission control
system performance and could also cause engine knocking and serious engi\
ne damage.
CAUTION
 USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead to
deterioration of the emission control system and or failures. This vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol by
volume. Damage to the vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this recommendation, or
if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly.
 Never add fuel system additives, otherwise the emission control system could be damaged.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the fol\
lowing may not be
covered by the warranty.
 Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 222015/10/21 16:52:33

3–23
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Emission Control System
This vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic\
converter is
part of this system) that enables the vehicle to comply with existing e\
xhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with the
engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and could ignite
anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
 USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL. Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction. Do not coast with the ignition switched off. Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switched off. Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes. Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician. Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
 Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
 While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be\
heard at the rear
of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. The vehicle has a self-
checking device and it operates while the engine is off.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 232015/10/21 16:52:34