2013 Mazda5 2.5 high mileage oil recommendations

[T_Mart]

Backstory: I had been looking for a USA gen 2 (2012-2015) Mazda5 with the 6 speed manual for a while. Only around 1000 exist in the USA so when I found a cheap one, I jumped on it. This car was not well cared for in its 182k miles prior to my ownership. This car had the OEM mazda spark plugs dated 2013 in it with a wildly big gap. The serpentine belt was so crusty that even when I cut it, it stayed in place and held tension. Ive been slowly rehabbing this vehicle and have replaced nearly every wear component.

The car runs great and the engine makes no noise. It asks for 0w20 and when I initially changed it after purchasing the car, the oil had a good amount of sparkles in it. I assume the oil was changed very infrequently prior to my ownership, though, under the valve cover is surprisingly sludge free.

If this was your car, what engine oil would you run?

 

[That John dude]

If it was mine I’d run Valvoline Restore and Protect, but if high mileage is what you want I’d run Valvoline synthetic high mileage.

 

[JavierH19]

I initially changed it after purchasing the car, the oil had a good amount of sparkles in it. I assume the oil was changed very infrequently prior to my ownership

I'm using 0/5w-40 in it if it was on my driveaway. Could use M1 Full Synthetic 10w-40 High Mileage if you want. I used 40 grade in 3 new engines when still under factory warranty calling for 20 anyway when they had no issue except the 2021 escalade which burned a bit of 0w-20 but the honda and mitsu didn't burn or shed metal. Still I used thicker and all 3 quieted down a lot.

But with metal in the oil I'm not chancing it, I'm using 40 grade and changing at under 5k. Cut the filter open next time. I've never owned an engine that had sparkle in the oil and on every vehicle when I change the oil I shine a strong flashlight on the drain pan to see if anything reflects back.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

ST HM 5w30 syn, or any other HM syn that's on sale.

With Mazda, the biggest problem is rust

 

[JohnnyG]

Valvoline Restore and Protect

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5w30

 

[SilentType]

Supertech 10W40, and a Supertech ST3614 filter for 500 mile OCI. Cut the filter to check for sparkles. Lather rinse repeat as needed till the sparklies are gone.

 

[Plumb Bob]

This one is suitable for low, mid, and high mileage vehicles, while providing the industry's most stringent protection. All at an incredibly low price.

Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Boy I sure wish Mazda still offered a manual in all models.

 

[YZJB]

Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30

 

[fantastic]

Gives a whole new meaning to "MiniVan".
I voted for Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30

 

[Patman]

There was an interesting Mazda5 that I used to see near my old workplace

 

[Revving2Redline]

I like the Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 with Motor Oil Saver LM. Run it again without the LM, but use Schaeffer's #132 EP Moly on the next run. Then two runs of Valvoline Extended Protection High Mileage 5w30 with Schaeffer's 132 then after 20k, go back to Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 & LM Motor Oil Saver.
Run a bottle of pea fuel system cleaner every 20k, spray out throttle body with Lucas black bottle throttle cleaner and drqin or siphon transmission fluid out.

 

[T_Mart]

Boy I sure wish Mazda still offered a manual in all models.

Me too! As a dad with kids, I was really looking for a modern manual transmission vehicle that would be fun to drive and do family duty. I work from home and don't drive too too much but I love driving and when I do I want to enjoy it. It is sad we have virtually no modern options for manuals in "normal" family type vehicles.

 

[T_Mart]

Valvoline Restore and Protect

I have a jug of Restore and Protect 5w20 that I never used for my last car. I'll probably throw this in.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Me too! As a dad with kids, I was really looking for a modern manual transmission vehicle that would be fun to drive and do family duty. I work from home and don't drive too too much but I love driving and when I do I want to enjoy it. It is sad we have virtually no modern options for manuals in "normal" family type vehicles.

You can still get a Mazda 3 and a Miata with the stick but none of the other models.