Let me preface this post by saying that I was a skeptic when people posted that the CX-5 performed "better" with high octane fuel when used in a non-modified engine.
So I sent a message to Mazda North America regarding the use of high octane fuel in the North American 2.5l 13:1 compression ratio engine.
Here is their response:
Thank you for contacting Mazda Customer Experience Center.
With regards to your inquiry, using a higher octane gasoline than what is recommended in the Owner's Manual offers no benefit as the SKYACTIV Engine has been tuned and calibrated to perform efficiently with 87 Octane Fuel (unless otherwise specified in the Owner's Manual). Using a higher octane fuel may only minimally improve performance or mileage.
I was surprised to see him add that last sentence, and now I'm thinking this is what some people were referring to. So it seems there is something, albeit minimal, there.
So I sent a message to Mazda North America regarding the use of high octane fuel in the North American 2.5l 13:1 compression ratio engine.
Here is their response:
Thank you for contacting Mazda Customer Experience Center.
With regards to your inquiry, using a higher octane gasoline than what is recommended in the Owner's Manual offers no benefit as the SKYACTIV Engine has been tuned and calibrated to perform efficiently with 87 Octane Fuel (unless otherwise specified in the Owner's Manual). Using a higher octane fuel may only minimally improve performance or mileage.
I was surprised to see him add that last sentence, and now I'm thinking this is what some people were referring to. So it seems there is something, albeit minimal, there.