0W20 Valvoline Advanced 2k mi, 2016 Mazda 3 2.0 NA 42k mi

[GTR_Hopeful]

First time oil analysis on a 2016 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0 liter NA. Mostly short hop city driving. Purchased new in 2016. Only Mazda oil filters have been used. 1WPE-14-302. Initially the Mazda 0w20 high moly oil was used up to 25,000 miles. After that Quaker State 0w20 up to 35,000 and then the Valvoline Advanced 0w20. Decided to run the sample because I was concerned about the small amount of coolant loss and fuel dilution. Fuel dilution is at a high level at 2,068 miles and it appears no coolant intrusion. Prior oil changes were done around 4,000. If I would have known about the high fuel dilution, I would have changed it much sooner.

 

[TheOilWizard]

Pretty small and hard to read. Yes, I have glasses on.

 

[OneLonelyBurrito]

View attachment 259196

FYI the report is quite hard to read.

How long was the oil in use for?

 

[Oliveoil2]

Check back at 100k. It’ll still be running.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

Let me fix this. Sorry about the size.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

This should be better

 

[Rand]

Doesn't look too bad might want to consider a 5w30 or 0w30 for higher viscosity with that much fuel dilution.

 

[Urshurak776]

Short trip is probably the fuel dilution cause. I also have a Mazda 3 and will be using this same oil on the next oil change (Possibly today if I can get doen with work early enough.) My drives are pretty long so oil gets nice and hot.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[fantastic]

Have you considered a 5w-30? Your not able to go very far on this grade before viscosity takes a hit. That would at least allow you to go a bit further.

 

[wlk]

If I remember reading correctly on here, one if the better oils to help with fuel dilution in Renewable Lubricants. They actually have a sale on their 5w30 <$4/qt singles and $42/12 qt packs and free shipping over $50 order. May give them a try if dilution persists.

https://renewablelube.com/products/bio-synxtra-motor-oil

 

[bulwnkl]

Yes, RLI fluids (used to?) do a great job dealing with fuel, and that's a lot of fuel.

The SkyActive 2.5 shows very low wear metals on 20-grade oils. I would suppose the 2-liter is the same, but I've not owned or managed one. Assuming that to be the case, then your report indicates some adverse effects of the fuel or low viscosity, though certainly not severe.

How is this vehicle used? Without more info it's hard to tell whether the very high fuel is consequent to your use, or a possible hardware issue you may be able to correct.

 

[kschachn]

No oil will resist the simple dilution of a higher viscosity fluid by one of a lower viscosity. That is independent of the brand. This is the primary problem with fuel dilution, and the only way to mitigate that is to correct the cause of the dilution, change oil more often before it becomes too diluted, or use a higher grade oil.

However, some oils with superior VII can resist permanent degradation of the VM which is a separate issue from simple dilution.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

Yes, RLI fluids (used to?) do a great job dealing with fuel, and that's a lot of fuel.

The SkyActive 2.5 shows very low wear metals on 20-grade oils. I would suppose the 2-liter is the same, but I've not owned or managed one. Assuming that to be the case, then your report indicates some adverse effects of the fuel or low viscosity, though certainly not severe.

How is this vehicle used? Without more info it's hard to tell whether the very high fuel is consequent to your use, or a possible hardware issue you may be able to correct.

This vehicle is 90% city use since new. Approx 40k miles on odo. Typical average speed is 15 mph per display on the dash which is reset at every fill up. Look at the other posting under my username for the 2018 Mazda 3 2.5. That had 2.3% fuel dilution and is used 90% highway.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

Yes, RLI fluids (used to?) do a great job dealing with fuel, and that's a lot of fuel.

The SkyActive 2.5 shows very low wear metals on 20-grade oils. I would suppose the 2-liter is the same, but I've not owned or managed one. Assuming that to be the case, then your report indicates some adverse effects of the fuel or low viscosity, though certainly not severe.

How is this vehicle used? Without more info it's hard to tell whether the very high fuel is consequent to your use, or a possible hardware issue you may be able to correct.

This vehicle is 90% city use since new. Approx 40k miles on odo. Typical average speed is 15 mph per display on the dash which is reset at every fill up. Look at the other posting under my username for the 2018 Mazda 3 2.5. That had 2.3% fuel dilution and is used 90% highway.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

Short trip is probably the fuel dilution cause. I also have a Mazda 3 and will be using this same oil on the next oil change (Possibly today if I can get doen with work early enough.) My drives are pretty long so oil gets nice and hot.

Thanks for sharing.

This vehicle is 90% city use since new. Approx 40k miles on odo. Typical average speed is 15 mph per display on the dash which is reset at every fill up. Look at the other posting under my username for the 2018 Mazda 3 2.5. That had 2.3% fuel dilution and is used 90% highway.

 

[Oliveoil2]

Really? Who cares about the fuel dilution? Look at the wear and the base number. Run it for 10k and check back. This car, driven the way it is (4K a yr), will outlast the driver. One OCI every 2 years looks about right.

 

[Artem]

Nothing wrong with city driving, as long as it’s long enough to warm up the oil and cook off moisture / fuel.

My 2014 Mazda 3 also sees 90% city (25 min commute to work) and even with short trips to the corner store I don’t have ANY fuel dilution.

Cold winter temps aren’t helping right now.

 

[Drew99GT]

This is why I started adding 2 quarts of 5w-30 to 0w-20 in my CX-5. I just did an oil change at 3500 miles and it was like straight gas draining out. Lots of fuel dilution. And I have about a 10 mile highway commute each day. In fact I blocked off half the grill to block the radiator so it warms up faster and runs hotter in the cold temps. Definitely helps coolant temps stay at 190 instead of 175-180. I have a scangauge.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

This is why I started adding 2 quarts of 5w-30 to 0w-20 in my CX-5. I just did an oil change at 3500 miles and it was like straight gas draining out. Lots of fuel dilution. And I have about a 10 mile highway commute each day. In fact I blocked off half the grill to block the radiator so it warms up faster and runs hotter in the cold temps. Definitely helps coolant temps stay at 190 instead of 175-180. I have a scangauge.

This vehicles trip length in city driving is roughly 2 to 4 miles. Winter doesn't help matters.

 

[GTR_Hopeful]

Short trip is probably the fuel dilution cause. I also have a Mazda 3 and will be using this same oil on the next oil change (Possibly today if I can get doen with work early enough.) My drives are pretty long so oil gets nice and hot.

Thanks for sharing.

FYI. I'm using the Valvoline Advanced 12 qt garage box from Walmart to save a few bucks. $58. If Wally's doesn't have it, you can get it directly from Valvoline with free shipping. They even double box to arrive in good shape.