Ridiculously short OCIs for Synthetic oil

[Stewie]

So I've got a Mazda 3 2014 and I am wondering if this is b/c of their special "skyactive technology" or a way for stealerships to rob customers?

The manual recommends 5K miles or 8K kilometers for severe conditions for full synthetic oil, in this case 0w20 or 5w20.

 

[Quattro Pete]

That's pretty much normal severe service OCI recommendation. Many other manufacturers advise the same.

 

[Danno]

And every 4 months for my son's 2010 Mazda 3. Did the oil change last fall and I think he did 1,200 kms in 6 months - school and work and all are close by.
My 2013 Sonata calls for OCI of 6,000 kms.

 

[WeenieHutJr]

Severe 5k is normal. Most people go by the Normal schedule which is probably 7500.

 

[dlundblad]

5k on synthetic isn't too short IMO since its severe. Seems pretty standard actually. What's the normal service interval?

The dealer has nothing to do with the factory recommended intervals specified in the OM. According to others here, they have been known to crank down OLMs to start at 80% or so to get customers coming in more often though.

 

[CT8]

Fuel dilution? Seems 5,ooo miles grows to 9,000 miles. All the sludgers are not from people changing their oil too soon.

 

[dgunay]

I'd stick with what's recommended for a DI engine, maybe i am too conservative.

 

[Stewie]

I hear of people running 10k miles on full synthetic that's why I find weird.

I am planning to run mine to 6k miles or 10k kilometers since I am on warranty, don't feel like changing it over the winter.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Stewie
I hear of people running 10k miles on full syntheticm thats why I find weird.

Sure, but not under severe service.

 

[Stewie]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Stewie
I hear of people running 10k miles on full syntheticm thats why I find weird.

Sure, but not under severe service.


Would I be pushing it too much for doing 6K? Winter is bad up here

 

[HTSS_TR]

Mazda 3 doesn't have OLM ?

 

[WankelRotorHead]

Direct fuel injection has a way of diluting the oil with fuel. I'd have a UOA at 5k and see what the fuel dilution % is. If it looks good then go to 7.5k which is the regular schedule interval

 

[camrydriver111]

It seems like for many manufacturers driving in Canada is considered "extreme service". However, when I hear stuff like 4 months and 6k km I have a feeling they just like robbing customers. BMW, for example, still specs long OCIs with DI engines, although they don't use 0W20.

Do any of the UOAs correlate fuel dilution with increased wear though?

Is it as someone put it "fuel dilution only increases BITOGer blood pressure"? lol

 

[WankelRotorHead]

Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
BMW, for example, still specs long OCIs with DI engines, although they don't use 0W20.

Do any of the UOAs correlate fuel dilution with increased wear though?



Good question, accelerated wear should show in a UOA as well.

 

[Stewie]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Mazda 3 doesn't have OLM ?


No on mine

 

[Oily_hair]

Originally Posted By: Stewie
So I've got a Mazda 3 2014 and I am wondering if this is b/c of their special "skyactive technology" or a way for stealerships to rob customers?

The manual recommends 5K miles or 8K kilometers for severe conditions for full synthetic oil, in this case 0w20 or 5w20.



Actually, if you live in Canada your owner's manual states that the oil change is either 4 months or 8,ooo km's, that's it. There is no normal or severe options for Canadian residents that only applies to USA and Puerto Rico...your manual only lists the one type of service for Canada. If you extend the service to 6,000 miles you are now opening the door for your dealership to deny a warranty claim due to "lack of service".

 

[HKPolice]

I'm not surprised that Mazda is doing this for Canada. Not only are winter conditions considered severe, but the average Mazda buyer has a lead foot compared to a typical Toyota buyer. It's part of their marketing: ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM! Well if you're gonna floor the car almost everyday especially in winter, that's considered SUPER severe service.

Mazda is just covering their azzes.

I remember reading about a Miata owner complaining to his dealership about the 4 month interval because the car isn't driven in the winter. I think they told him tough luck, change the oil or void the warranty. Maybe someone can link that story.

 

[Stewie]

Originally Posted By: HKPolice
I'm not surprised that Mazda is doing this for Canada. Not only are winter conditions considered severe, but the average Mazda buyer has a lead foot compared to a typical Toyota buyer. It's part of their marketing: ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM! Well if you're gonna floor the car almost everyday especially in winter, that's considered SUPER severe service.

Mazda is just covering their azzes.

I remember reading about a Miata owner complaining to his dealership about the 4 month interval because the car isn't driven in the winter. I think they told him tough luck, change the oil or void the warranty. Maybe someone can link that story.


Originally Posted By: Oily_hair
Originally Posted By: Stewie
So I've got a Mazda 3 2014 and I am wondering if this is b/c of their special "skyactive technology" or a way for stealerships to rob customers?

The manual recommends 5K miles or 8K kilometers for severe conditions for full synthetic oil, in this case 0w20 or 5w20.



Actually, if you live in Canada your owner's manual states that the oil change is either 4 months or 8,ooo km's, that's it. There is no normal or severe options for Canadian residents that only applies to USA and Puerto Rico...your manual only lists the one type of service for Canada. If you extend the service to 6,000 miles you are now opening the door for your dealership to deny a warranty claim due to "lack of service".

I might go YOLO it then, too cold and too much snow.

Stealerships will always be what they are.

I got M1 0W20 AFE & ULTRA, we'll see how they look

Thanks every1

 

[bigt61]

Does Mazda specifically say you must use synthetic oil? If you have to stick with the short interval, maybe you could go with semi-synthetic 0W-20 or 5W-20.

 

[wemay]

bigt61 brings up a good point. You can find synthetic blends in 0w20 as well...