2007 Mazda3 2.0L

[dqniel]

I have a Mazda3 2.0L with 12,000 miles. I've been taking it to the dealer to get the oil changed but want to start doing it myself. I've read good things about 5w-20 oils in the analysis section of these forums. I was wondering what a good, but affordable, choice of 5w-20 oil would be for this car. I drive almost all "city" miles with maybe only a few dozen highway miles per gas tank. Cincinnati is hilly and I sit in traffic a lot, but the general cruising speed when I actually get going is generally around 35mph at ~2k RPM. Generally, I keep the RPM below 4k at all costs and rarely above 3.5k. I plan on using a Purolator PL1024L as the filter unless anybody has a reason why I should use something else.

Thanks for your time and helping a newbie out!

 

[addyguy]

IMHO, Pennzoil 5W-20 'seems' to be one of the best 5W-20 dino's...If I had a car that spec'd 5W-20, that is what I would use....

 

[Quest]

I would go for GTX, or Ford Motorcraft semi-syn 5W20 at wallymart.

Q.

 

[frank2009]

I've got an '08 Mazda 3 with the same motor. I use Pennzoil myself, but any name brand will probably do. I'd say pick something that easy to get so you're not driving around all day trying to buy oil. I use a Mazda filter cause i'm nuts that way. Really, i don't think you need to overthink this one.

frank

 

[02zx9r]

Originally Posted By: Quest
I would go for GTX, or Ford Motorcraft semi-syn 5W20 at wallymart.

Q.


was going to recommend the motorcraft syn blend at the walmart

 

[Pablo]

There are no bad XW-20 oils.

 

[dqniel]

Well, I work right by Walmart so I guess I'll stop in there and see what they have. The cheapest out of the Penz, Motorcraft, and Castrol GTX will be purchased I guess

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Solo2driver]

If that engine uses the cartridge-style insert rather than the spin-on, I would get the filter at a Mazda dealer...several places (Mazda3Forums, etc.) have shown that the 4-cyl cars that have had their filters crushed from overtightening will have a heck of a time with Mazda warranty issues if they were not using the OEM pieces. I know, sounds stupid, but for $6 it's easier documentation.

In my buddy's '05 Mazda3 2.3L we had been using Royal Purple, but have since switched to the Pennzoil Platinum ($4.01 at Wal-Mart in CA, probably cheaper elsewhere) 5w-20 and everything is nice and happy. Car has 60K miles on it now, autocrossed regularly.

 

[Dyoel182]

I dont think its the over-tightening that crushes them, it was that they didnt always come with internal support and so the flow itself would crush the filter. Its always a good idea to compare the filter you put in to the one coming out anyway.

That being said I think the 2.0 is a spin on can and the 2.3 is what has the drop in IIRC.

 

[dqniel]

It's only a cartridge for the 2.3l, the 2.0l is a spin-on, thank [censored] . I wouldn't do the cartridge myself because I'm not very mechanically inclined.

 

[02zx9r]

Originally Posted By: dqniel
Well, I work right by Walmart so I guess I'll stop in there and see what they have. The cheapest out of the Penz, Motorcraft, and Castrol GTX will be purchased I guess

Thanks for the info guys.


motorcraft will prob be the cheapest, followed by pennzoil, then gtx, at least is that way here at the walmarts

 

[cos]

I believe the lowest price 5W20 at Wal-Mart is Quaker State, the 5 qt jug was under $9.00

 

[hominid7]

Off topic, but why did Mazda go to the cartridge type filter on the 2.3's? Seems like a giant step backwards in automotive technology.

 

[hominid7]

Originally Posted By: cos
I believe the lowest price 5W20 at Wal-Mart is Quaker State, the 5 qt jug was under $9.00


I cant remember, but is Supertech 5w20 priced the same as the rest of their oils?

I'd run QS over Supertech anyday though.

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: hominid7
Off topic, but why did Mazda go to the cartridge type filter on the 2.3's? Seems like a giant step backwards in automotive technology.


Backwards how so?

 

[hominid7]

I thought the first filters on cars were the cartridge type, and then the spin-on was introduced. It just seems to be that having a cartridge filter is asking for trouble. It may offer some benefits i am not aware of though.

 

[gtx510]

Less enviromental impact when you throw away a cartidge filter as opposed to a half full spin-on filter.

Use whatever 20wt is cheap at Walmart. If the valvetrain clatters in the summertime try some 30wt, 50:50 or straight up.