- Joined
- Aug 8, 2025
- Messages
- 2
Hello all,
I've been an occasional reader on BITOG, but after picking up a new CX-5 N/A 2.5L (no cylinder deactivation), I have found myself with some questions I'm hoping to get some advice on. My previous vehicle was a Mazda 3 with the 2.0L N/A SkyActiv. Bought used but did 7,000km (~4350mi) average OCIs (shortest OCI usually around 6000km, longest being 8300km) with OEM filter and Kirkland Synthetic 0W-20. I have never conducted a UOA on this vehicle but from when I purchased used to 300,000km, it never burnt oil and ran smooth on the Kirkland oil (my subjective opinion)
From what I understand, the Mazda OEM oil has high moly content in it. Local dealership uses bulk oil and does not pour from the 1qt jugs but not sure if the bulk oil they have is specially formulated for Mazda (to replicate the 1qt jugs). Cost is ~$30 cad / 1qt of Mazda Genuine 0W-20 - far too expensive for me. I plan to use OEM filters, and maintain the 7,000km OCI as I have been doing - hoping to get to 300k KM with this one as well...Based on searching on BITOG and elsewhere, I have narrowed some options to:
- Castrol Edge EP 0W-20 (gold container)
- Mobil1 EP 0W-20 (AFE or ESP is also available, but I'm a bit confused on all the differences)
- Stick with the Kirkland 0W-20
Another friend with a newer 3 uses Liqui Moly Molygen New Generation 0W-20 but this is about double the price of Castrol or Mobil, and about 4x the price of the Kirkland, so I would try to avoid this unless absolutely necessary.
Aside from suggestions on which oil to use, few questions:
- Should I be concerned about moly content? Is it necessary? Or am I overthinking this and can stick to Kirkland.
- Do I need to use Mazda OEM for my first OC, or can I switch at that point? Planning to do the first at 1500KM, then 6500-7000KM OCI after that.
Thank you
I've been an occasional reader on BITOG, but after picking up a new CX-5 N/A 2.5L (no cylinder deactivation), I have found myself with some questions I'm hoping to get some advice on. My previous vehicle was a Mazda 3 with the 2.0L N/A SkyActiv. Bought used but did 7,000km (~4350mi) average OCIs (shortest OCI usually around 6000km, longest being 8300km) with OEM filter and Kirkland Synthetic 0W-20. I have never conducted a UOA on this vehicle but from when I purchased used to 300,000km, it never burnt oil and ran smooth on the Kirkland oil (my subjective opinion)
From what I understand, the Mazda OEM oil has high moly content in it. Local dealership uses bulk oil and does not pour from the 1qt jugs but not sure if the bulk oil they have is specially formulated for Mazda (to replicate the 1qt jugs). Cost is ~$30 cad / 1qt of Mazda Genuine 0W-20 - far too expensive for me. I plan to use OEM filters, and maintain the 7,000km OCI as I have been doing - hoping to get to 300k KM with this one as well...Based on searching on BITOG and elsewhere, I have narrowed some options to:
- Castrol Edge EP 0W-20 (gold container)
- Mobil1 EP 0W-20 (AFE or ESP is also available, but I'm a bit confused on all the differences)
- Stick with the Kirkland 0W-20
Another friend with a newer 3 uses Liqui Moly Molygen New Generation 0W-20 but this is about double the price of Castrol or Mobil, and about 4x the price of the Kirkland, so I would try to avoid this unless absolutely necessary.
Aside from suggestions on which oil to use, few questions:
- Should I be concerned about moly content? Is it necessary? Or am I overthinking this and can stick to Kirkland.
- Do I need to use Mazda OEM for my first OC, or can I switch at that point? Planning to do the first at 1500KM, then 6500-7000KM OCI after that.
Thank you
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