2016 Mazda CX-5 2.5L 70.7 mi; Mobil Adv Full Synthetic 5w-30 2.3k mi

[researcher]

This is from a recent oil lab test for my friend's 2016 Mazda CX-5. The original test #1 was from the previous owner before my friend bought the vehicle. Have no idea what oil was used but thinking it was 0w-20. I switched them over to using M1 Adv Full Syn 5w30. They also had the oil for test #2, in there for 6 months, and I'm thinking that's why the fuel dilution went up. Having them do 4 month intervals going forward (lots of short trip driving). So what does everyone think? I didn't think it was that bad..

oh and the oil filter is a Mazda 1WPE-14-302, engine air filter Mazda (the #1 test was using a Carquest branded filter, (silicon was higher)

 

[himemsys]

Is this engine known for being a fuel diluter?

If they're only doing 2300 miles in 6 months, then dropping to 4 months doesn't make sense to me. The rest of the report looks normal. Personally, I'd stick with 6 month intervals or 4000 mi, whichever comes first.

Or, what I do on our CRV (which also has high fuel dilution) is isolate the cold weather oil so none of the extra fuel dilution during winter carries over into the warm months. I will change the oil when winter hits (usually Nov-Dec here), then change it again in early April. That way the April to November run is all in mild to hot weather while the extra fuel dilution that happens in winter is isolated in a shorter oil change interval.

 

[fantastic]

It looks good except for the obvious fuel dilution. Metals look good though. Keep testing or bump up to 0w-40 so they can ride out the OLM or CX5 OEM interval w/o going too low on viscosity.

 

[Urshurak776]

This engine is not a known fuel diluter. That being said, any GDI engine that short trips constantly, especially in cold weather, will exhibit some amount of fuel dilution. This case is a LOT though. You may have something else going on. Run a couple of tanks of gas, heavy in fuel injector cleaner with PEA (important) and see how that goes.

 

[duck__dodgers]

don't forget cylinder deactivation. was the 6-month interval determined by the oil minder?

If oil minder says 6 months, I'd say don't worry about it----but shorten the interval if they intend on keeping the car for a long time (I pray to the gods of short OCIs every 6 months and 3,500 miles for our short-trip Mazda Skyactiv)....

i can smell the small, but noticeable, fuel dilution after draining oil that has <4,000 fall-winter miles.

 

[researcher]

It looks good except for the obvious fuel dilution. Metals look good though. Keep testing or bump up to 0w-40 so they can ride out the OLM or CX5 OEM interval w/o going too low on viscosity.

nice idea about the 0w-40, I was already thinking of a 0w-30, to put up with the thinning of the viscosity! I've seen metals on this engine a lot worse than this.. It's why I wasn't too worried about the fuel dilution. I just keep thinking it's the short trips causing it. Plus it was winter.

@himemsys It was definitely during winter when this oil interval happened. I like the part about dumping the oil from winter as soon as winter is over. And from my research it's not a big fuel diluter.

@Urshurak776 I did dump in BG's 44k fuel cleaner last fall, didn't do a 2nd one though. It did improve the fuel economy doing that. I'll think about doing a 2nd treatment if the next (summer) oil test doesn't show the fuel dilution down from 5%

don't forget cylinder deactivation. was the 6-month interval determined by the oil minder?

If oil minder says 6 months, I'd say don't worry about it----but shorten the interval if they intend on keeping the car for a long time (I pray to the gods of short OCIs every 6 months and 3,500 miles for our short-trip Mazda Skyactiv)....

i can smell the small, but noticeable, fuel dilution after draining oil that has <4,000 fall-winter miles.

This model doesn't have cylinder deactivation. The 6 months was determined by a calendar, the oil minder was set for time, not usage. And your thought of shorter oil change intervals is what I was thinking too. I could smell more gas in the oil before the sample was sent off. Had that sweet, pungent odor more than what I'm used to with my port injected engine. They do plan on keeping the car for a long time.

The one thing I was impressed with was the wear metals, looking up other SkyActiv 2.5L engines of this era (non-turbo, non-cylinder deactivation) this report was showing an engine in good shape.. Now to deal with the fuel dilution.

 

[Urshurak776]

nice idea about the 0w-40, I was already thinking of a 0w-30, to put up with the thinning of the viscosity! I've seen metals on this engine a lot worse than this.. It's why I wasn't too worried about the fuel dilution. I just keep thinking it's the short trips causing it. Plus it was winter.

@himemsys It was definitely during winter when this oil interval happened. I like the part about dumping the oil from winter as soon as winter is over. And from my research it's not a big fuel diluter.

@Urshurak776 I did dump in BG's 44k fuel cleaner last fall, didn't do a 2nd one though. It did improve the fuel economy doing that. I'll think about doing a 2nd treatment if the next (summer) oil test doesn't show the fuel dilution down from 5%



This model doesn't have cylinder deactivation. The 6 months was determined by a calendar, the oil minder was set for time, not usage. And your thought of shorter oil change intervals is what I was thinking too. I could smell more gas in the oil before the sample was sent off. Had that sweet, pungent odor more than what I'm used to with my port injected engine. They do plan on keeping the car for a long time.

The one thing I was impressed with was the wear metals, looking up other SkyActiv 2.5L engines of this era (non-turbo, non-cylinder deactivation) this report was showing an engine in good shape.. Now to deal with the fuel dilution.

I would grab two bottles of fuel injector cleaner, and do back to back tank fulls.

Worse case, you my have an injector issue. Not a bad job to change them out, but try the back to back tank fulls of injector cleaner. Maybe try Chemtool B12 (Berrymans.) That stuff is proven to work.

https://a.co/d/g1dlpw6

 

[fantastic]

nice idea about the 0w-40, I was already thinking of a 0w-30, to put up with the thinning of the viscosity! I've seen metals on this engine a lot worse than this.. It's why I wasn't too worried about the fuel dilution. I just keep thinking it's the short trips causing it. Plus it was winter.

Agreed, very low wear metals & a 0w-30 Euro oil could work too perhaps. Let us know how it goes.

 

[researcher]

Agreed, very low wear metals & a 0w-30 Euro oil could work too perhaps. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks..Will definitely post how it goes.