ETHANOL FUEL USAGE

Applicable Models

Related Category/Subcategory/Symptoms

ENGINE / FUEL / ENGINE HARD START
ENGINE / FUEL / ROUGH IDLE
ENGINE / FUEL / HESITATION
ENGINE / FUEL / LACK OF POWER
ENGINE / FUEL / IMPROPER OPERATION

MTOL - 5060 Dealer Repair Information

Symptom and Conditions

With the increase in fuel costs and availability of E-85 Ethanol fuel, 
customers should be made aware of Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) and      
Non-FFV fuel compatibility. FFV's can operate on straight gasoline or  
any ethanol fuel blend up to 85%. ANY Mazda vehicle that is not        
identified as an FFV, INFORM CUSTOMERS TO NOT USE any blend of fuel with
Ethanol of more than 10% (such as E-85 or Gasohol) or any blend        
containing Methanol or lead.                                           
                                                                       
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the  
following gasoline blends in NON-FFV Mazda vehicles may not be covered 
by the Mazda warranty; E85, gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol,  
gasoline or gasohol containing methanol, leaded fuel, or leaded gasohol.
                                                                       
FUEL BLEND QUICK FACTS:                                                
- Nearly 46% of U.S. gasoline produced contains some ethanol such as   
  seasonal "oxygenated" fuels (OK in FFV's and Non-FFV's).             
- Nearly one third of U.S. gasoline produced contains up to 10% ethanol
  (OK in FFV's and Non-FFV's).                                         
- E10 fuel and certain blends of Gasohol contains 10% ethanol (OK in   
  FFV's and Non-FFV's).                                                
- E85 fuel contains 85% ethanol (OK in FFV's ONLY).                    
                                                                       
Customers should be advised to check their vehicle's owners manual and 
use the fuel specified for their Mazda vehicle. Also check the fuel    
filler door for the recommended fuel. If the vehicle is not specified as
an FFV, ANY BLEND OF FUEL CONTAINING MORE THAN 10% ETHANOL OR ANY      
METHANOL OR LEAD IS NOT TO BE USED.                                    

Repair Procedure

Use of E-85 fuel or Gasohol with more than 10% ethanol or any methanol 
in a Non-FFV Mazda vehicle may cause drivability concerns, setting of  
the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) and damage to the fuel system. In
the event a MIL appears on a Non-FFV vehicle, the following DTC's may be
stored in PCM memory:                                                  
                                                                       
P2177 - Fuel system too lean at off idle (Right bank)                  
                                                                       
P2179 - Fuel system too lean at off idle (Left bank)                   
                                                                       
If there is suspicion that E-85 fuel (85% Ethanol), fuel with more than
10% ethanol or any fuel containing methanol or lead has been used in a 
Non-FFV Mazda vehicle and/or DTC's P2177 or P2179 are found, use M-MDS 
to monitor fuel trims. If the short term fuel trims are or more than   
+10%, high alcohol (ethanol / methanol) content or poor fuel quality may
be present. Test fuel and continue to monitor fuel trims. If fuel trims
do not indicate a fuel type or quality concern, continue diagnosis using
Workshop Manual procedures.