2006 Mazda3 2.3 5200mi Formula Shell 5W-30 dino

[parmijo]

Ran this oil as my wife got this on sale (without my knowledge) at costco. I usually run Motorcraft semisyn 5W-20 with good results but heard good things about the Formula Shell so decided to try it out instead of returning it. Although it is thicker my gas mileage stayed the same.

 

[Drew99GT]

Tell your wife she picked the prefect oil and see what it gets you tonight!

 

[Bill in Utah]

Nice!

I agree could not be any better.

Get ready for the "Blackstone has not a clue" response since it was a "cheap" oil that did this. IF you change the Subject quickly to one of the "good" oils then the report will be well received.

I should have bought more of this when it was on sale. Everything has gone up at Wal-Mart except Mobil 5000.

Thanks for the report!

 

[beast3300]

Excellent results!

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

The Shell family is BEEJAYs name brand oil.

 

[Drew99GT]

.

 

[GMFan]

Formula Shell never puts up a bad UOA. I will be posting a UOA of my current fill of Formula Shell in a few months from my Saturn....which has seen LOTS of idling, cold starts and numerous 5000rpm shifts.

BJ's is a small chain which is very similar to Sam's Club (Walmart). BJ's sells Formula Shell and Mobil 1 oils...also Rotella.

 

[parmijo]

Just an FYI my oil run was nearly all city miles, my trip computer showed average speed of 26mph. I do a 6 mile commute twice a day.

 

[Scienceman]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Tell your wife she picked the prefect oil and see what it gets you tonight!



+!

 

[Pablo]

Excellent. Glad I chose this oil for my daughter's Honda. (Clean cycle, will flush with MMO). When I drop it at 4-5K, I'll see how I can best it with a 10K run of ??? ATM? ASL? ACD? SSO?

 

[tig1]

Parmijo,
I think my Fusion has the same 2.3 as your Mazda, and was wondering if you have the cartrage oil filter as does the Fusion?
Nice report and by the TBN might have been able to strech the OC out a bit, but looks like you changed it at about the right time.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Excellent. Glad I chose this oil for my daughter's Honda. (Clean cycle, will flush with MMO). When I drop it at 4-5K, I'll see how I can best it with a 10K run of ??? ATM? ASL? ACD? SSO?


What, did I read this right? Pablo is using Formula Shell and MMO to clean out the engine in his daughters car instead of using the Amsoil Engine Flush. Wow, my heart just skipped a beat.

 

[Billy_D]

Nice results.

 

[parmijo]

Tig1,
Yes this is the cartridge style filter. Kind of a PITA to change. I use purolator filters and they always look very clean.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Excellent. Glad I chose this oil for my daughter's Honda. (Clean cycle, will flush with MMO). When I drop it at 4-5K, I'll see how I can best it with a 10K run of ??? ATM? ASL? ACD? SSO?


What, did I read this right? Pablo is using Formula Shell and MMO to clean out the engine in his daughters car instead of using the Amsoil Engine Flush. Wow, my heart just skipped a beat.

Pablo's benevolent and open minded. (Did I post that right boss?)

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: parmijo
Tig1,
Yes this is the cartridge style filter. Kind of a PITA to change. I use purolator filters and they always look very clean.


I bought the Fusion in August and have changed the filter twice. I like M1 filters but the price is way too high($21.00) so I have used the Pure 1 and now have the MC cartrage in, but will most likely put the Pure 1 back in next OC.

Yes, it is a little harder to replace. Draining the housing first does seem to help a bit.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: parmijo
Just an FYI my oil run was nearly all city miles, my trip computer showed average speed of 26mph. I do a 6 mile commute twice a day.


5K miles OCI with almost only city driving.

This means with the type of engine and same oil, you could do an about 8K miles mostly highway OCI.

That is an impressive engine/oil combination.

Congrats to your wife for this good choice.

May I ask what is your average mpg (mostly city and maybe some highway journeys if you have done some)?

 

[parmijo]

I get 24.5 mpg currently with my driving. Best I ever got was 31 when I did a lot of driving to Tahoe on highway.
The Mazda has a 5 speed automatic, so that probably doesn't help.
I thought maybe it was running rich so pulled the spark plugs. They all looked the same, like these. This is at 60K. Seems like the car is running about as good as it can.

 

[pcfxer]

If Formula Shell is on the same price category as MC SemiSyn why the heck would you stick with MC? That is what I got out of your UOA. If you aren't extending the OCI too much more (6000 miles on the Formula Shell looks to be a good goal), then I'd be disappointed with the MC.

From this UOA, in your case, Formula Shell dino is the way to go!

 

[pcfxer]

white deposit = lean IIRC but that seems to be reminiscent of the Atkinson cycle as I also see some brown/black deposits. Your 3 seems to be good parmijo!