New member seeking input on a Mazda 3

[Alaskanmont]

Hello everyone, been lurking for a while and finally decided to join.

My wife and I purchased a used 2009 Mazda 3 (2.0 4-cylinder) about a year ago. It had 30,000 miles when we purchased it. We had purchased the "maintenance" package with it (not one of my best decisions, as I enjoy doing work on vehicles). We have previously taken it in to the dealership for two oil changes in the last year (5,000 mile OCI). We put 10,000 miles on it in the last year. First time the dealer put 5w30 oil in it and the second time they put 5W-20 bulk oil in it. No problems with either as it does not burn or leak any noticeable amounts of oil between changes.

I have recently opted out of the maintenance package (will get a refund) and will be doing all the oil changes / services my-self. I plan on using the factory Mazda oil filters (purolator from what I have read) and Motorcraft 5W-20 Semi-synthetic oil. I plan on keeping the changes at 5,000 OCI. The car makes frequent shot trips as most of the trips are with-in 5-10 miles of our home. It does occasionally get taken on the highway a couple times a month. We do live in southwest Florida so its hot and humid for the most of the year.

Does this maintenance schedule seem reasonable for what I have described above? Any input is appreciated.

 

[Hermann]

Seems like a good plan. 5000 miles is a good interval for a syn blend or dino. Good luck with your Mazda. Zoom-Zoom

 

[QuietPortage]

You're on the right track as long as 5w-20 is the right weight for that car.

 

[Alaskanmont]

5W-20 is the weight listed from Mazda in the owners manual and oil filler cap on the engine.

 

[QuietPortage]

Originally Posted By: Alaskanmont
5W-20 is the weight listed from Mazda in the owners manual and oil filler cap on the engine.

Then you're good to go. Enjoy.

 

[bustednutz]

I used every brand under the sun for my 07' Mazda 3. In 6 years of ownership it never saw the dealer once for any maintinence or warranty work at all.
I used both 5w20 and 5w30. Mine was the 2.3L with cartridge filter.
My MX-5 has the same 2.0 as you have with a spin on filter.
Also run all brands and weights in that one as well. I use Wix, Mobil 1, or Purolator filters.....whatever is on sale. Extremely reliable motor!!

 

[crazyoildude]

Welcome to Bitog...
5000 is a good number... I do 6000 or 6 months whatever comes first on dino..

 

[tig1]

You have the Duratech engine as both of my cars and I use Mobil 1 0w20. If you are driving 10K a year then one change a year with the 0-20AFE and a MC filter(I use them) and you will be all set.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: Alaskanmont
Hello everyone, been lurking for a while and finally decided to join.

My wife and I purchased a used 2009 Mazda 3 (2.0 4-cylinder) about a year ago. It had 30,000 miles when we purchased it. We had purchased the "maintenance" package with it (not one of my best decisions, as I enjoy doing work on vehicles). We have previously taken it in to the dealership for two oil changes in the last year (5,000 mile OCI). We put 10,000 miles on it in the last year. First time the dealer put 5w30 oil in it and the second time they put 5W-20 bulk oil in it. No problems with either as it does not burn or leak any noticeable amounts of oil between changes.

I have recently opted out of the maintenance package (will get a refund) and will be doing all the oil changes / services my-self. I plan on using the factory Mazda oil filters (purolator from what I have read) and Motorcraft 5W-20 Semi-synthetic oil. I plan on keeping the changes at 5,000 OCI. The car makes frequent shot trips as most of the trips are with-in 5-10 miles of our home. It does occasionally get taken on the highway a couple times a month. We do live in southwest Florida so its hot and humid for the most of the year.

Does this maintenance schedule seem reasonable for what I have described above? Any input is appreciated.


First, welcome aboard!
I like it! I'm sure your car will too! Welcome back to the wonderful world of oil changes! I had back surgery and it killed me to have someone else change my oil...

 

[randomhero439]

For your Mazda:
5w-20 with conventional or syn-blend and a quality filter - 5,000 or 6 months
5w-20 with synthetic and a extended performance filter - 10,000 or 12 months

Sounds like your on the right track!

 

[T_CUDA]

I think u r on the right track, but i think there are better filter options like a Pure-one

 

[KrisZ]

You're good to go with your plan, but I would also look into using Motorcraft Filter (FL-910S). It is a very well made filter, with silicone anti-drain back valve that will be cheaper and more readily available than Mazda's OEM one. I've used this filter for most of my car's life along with few Mazda's OEM oil filters and Pure Ones and could not hear any difference during cold starts, i.e. no extra tapping noises between them.

I used all sorts of brands of oils, conventional and synthetic in 5w20 and 5w30 form in this engine and honestly could not for the life of me tell the difference between them, even during the coldest morning starts. When the car was under warranty it saw synthetic and conventional oil changes at about 5k miles with few runs of 6-7k miles on synthetic, but since about 50k miles I've been using conventional exclusively at 5k OCIs with great results. The car recently turned over 100k mark with no oil leaks, no noticeable, on the dipstick, oil consumption, no visible sludge or varnish and no change in fuel economy (I track my gas mileage for every tank).
This engine is not very picky about oil, that's for sure given a conservative OCI.

Also, I would look into changing the ATF if it's an auto transmission.

 

[Alaskanmont]

It is an auto transmission, changing the transmission fluid is on my list of things to do also. I'll be posting a question in the other section of the foum regarding the "Mazda M-V" fluid that it calls for.

Thanks for all the input, it is appreciated.