Owner denied warranty for being outside OCI by 600 miles and short tripping.

[Trav]

I only saw warranty denial based on OCI once and that over 30 years ago when a Chevy went 28K on one oil change and the oil pick up was sludged up tighter than a bulls backside in a hurricane. I cant see this, there is something not right with this story.

 

[Nessism1]

The owners manual makes reference to severe duty..."Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or driving regularly for short distances only." But what does COLD temp or SHORT distance mean?

Looking through the owners manual and the factory service manual for my Honda, and there is NO reference to severe duty cycle based on short/cold drive cycle. Just, follow the maintenance minder, which means 10,000 oil changes, or one year. I don't do this, though, but just saying.

Add me to the list of people that won't buy a new Mazda after learning about this situation.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Exactly my point. Thanks for the IOLM info.

If the "victim" in this storyline was going by the IOLM, and the IOLM is programmed to account for a host of parameters, then why would "severe service" be anything to even pay attention to? Why have a "severe service" conditional statement if the IOLM is doing its job? And if the "severe service" is so important and the IOLM is incapable of discerning severe conditions, why even have an IOLM???

Again, I'm not convinced this isn't just an exercise in vague "what if" scenarios, but the lesson to take from this is to read and learn about your warranty, read your owner's manual, and be ready to defend any choices you make. Be willing to go to the mat to argue your side; don't roll over. Fight the good fight. Don't let stupid vague double-talk override common sense.

I was looking in FIL's Renegade manual yesterday when I changed his oil. I know his severe service schedule is 4k but didn't remember if time frame also. When I put a window sticker on last time I put 4k and 5 months for some reason. No time is listed but it does say that the OLM may trigger as soon as 3500 miles based on driving conditions.

His never triggered before about 7500 miles but he still needed a new motor at 83k between oil burning and pistons / cylinder wall scoring. His motor was covered because he had the factory extended warranty and dealer did most of the changes prior so had documented history.

The OLM is now my window sticker and the notebook in glove box set for about 4k based on weather/ life schedules.

 

[kschachn]

Add me to the list of people that won't buy a new Mazda after learning about this situation.

Also add you to the list of people who believe anything they read on the Internet?

 

[Nessism1]

Also add you to the list of people who believe anything they read on the Internet?

Add me to the people that discredit your posts.

Actually, I've read a lot about Mazda 2.5 engines with poor blocks, causing coolant leaks. Also, a lot of 2.5 Turbo's with high oil consumption. Add in poor customer service, and owners are on shaky ground. You are free to do what you want, and so am I.

 

[wsar10]

I love our MAZDA(s) and will continue to.
I would not boycott MAZDA, I would boycott buying a DI Turbo for short tripping and using dealership oil changes... Your just asking for trouble from day one.

 

[AZjeff]

The problem is to the average non-BITOGer what could be better than an oil change at the dealer?

 

[wsar10]

The problem is to the average non-BITOGer what could be better than an oil change at the dealer?

I know, and you're EXACTLY right! Frankly, it should be to everyone... But to your point, many of us know better.

 

[alarmguy]

Add me to the people that discredit your posts.

Actually, I've read a lot about Mazda 2.5 engines with poor blocks, causing coolant leaks. Also, a lot of 2.5 Turbo's with high oil consumption. Add in poor customer service, and owners are on shaky ground. You are free to do what you want, and so am I.

Could you share your sources of information?

 

[edyvw]

We had that thread where oil is not reaching temperature higher than 150-160f. Apparently by design.
IMO, poorly designed engines and customers will pay for it.

 

[rijndael]

We had that thread where oil is not reaching temperature higher than 150-160f. Apparently by design.
IMO, poorly designed engines and customers will pay for it.

O

Thread 'Mazda CX-50 2.5S Winter Time Road Trip Engine Oil Temp Observations'

Jan 6, 2025

Just finished a holiday road trip (~700 miles one way) in my 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5S. Heading back home on Sunday with my OBD MX+ plugged in, I’m able to monitor all sorts of different parameters on my Mazda including actual engine oil temperature, not just the estimated oil temp. While I don’t know which sensor the data is coming from as Mazda has two oil temperature sensors, one in the ultrasonic oil level monitor and the other is the combination oil pressure/temperature sensor, either way its the actual temperature.

The ambient temperatures started out in the low 30s and only got colder...

• OneLonelyBurrito
• Replies: 70
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

• 

 

[edyvw]

O

Thread 'Mazda CX-50 2.5S Winter Time Road Trip Engine Oil Temp Observations'

Jan 6, 2025

Just finished a holiday road trip (~700 miles one way) in my 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5S. Heading back home on Sunday with my OBD MX+ plugged in, I’m able to monitor all sorts of different parameters on my Mazda including actual engine oil temperature, not just the estimated oil temp. While I don’t know which sensor the data is coming from as Mazda has two oil temperature sensors, one in the ultrasonic oil level monitor and the other is the combination oil pressure/temperature sensor, either way its the actual temperature.

The ambient temperatures started out in the low 30s and only got colder...

• OneLonelyBurrito
• Replies: 70
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

• 

Yes, that.

 

[OneLonelyBurrito]

Yes, that.

O

Thread 'Mazda CX-50 2.5S Winter Time Road Trip Engine Oil Temp Observations'

Jan 6, 2025

Just finished a holiday road trip (~700 miles one way) in my 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5S. Heading back home on Sunday with my OBD MX+ plugged in, I’m able to monitor all sorts of different parameters on my Mazda including actual engine oil temperature, not just the estimated oil temp. While I don’t know which sensor the data is coming from as Mazda has two oil temperature sensors, one in the ultrasonic oil level monitor and the other is the combination oil pressure/temperature sensor, either way its the actual temperature.

The ambient temperatures started out in the low 30s and only got colder...

• OneLonelyBurrito
• Replies: 70
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

• 

We had that thread where oil is not reaching temperature higher than 150-160f. Apparently by design.
IMO, poorly designed engines and customers will pay for it.

The engine failure occurred on the 2.5T engine, so that oil temp thread is not relevant since the 2.5T does have a engine oil cooler/warmer

 

[edyvw]

The engine failure occurred on the 2.5T engine, so that oil temp thread is not relevant since the 2.5T does have a engine oil cooler/warmer

I am talking about greater point.
Any manufacturer that declines warranty bcs. 600mls over OCI, is hiding something. 5k OCI is extremely conservative OCI, not pushing limit, which apparently Mazda think it us the case.
As I stated before, that oil temperature, if by design, is hiding deeper problems.
If Mazda is declining warranties bcs. 600mls over OCI, that means it is happening more commonly than we are aware.
Engine should do 10k OCI in 2025 without any sweat.

 

[AZjeff]

194 posts still wanting to believe this true.

 

[kschachn]

Could you share your sources of information?

You may be waiting a while.

 

[JHZR2]

The owners manual makes reference to severe duty..."Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or driving regularly for short distances only." But what does COLD temp or SHORT distance mean?

Looking through the owners manual and the factory service manual for my Honda, and there is NO reference to severe duty cycle based on short/cold drive cycle. Just, follow the maintenance minder, which means 10,000 oil changes, or one year. I don't do this, though, but just saying.

Add me to the list of people that won't buy a new Mazda after learning about this situation.

Yeah but does your Honda have a service indicator? If so, some onus falls on the “trust the indicator”.

Does the Mazda have the same indicator/algorithm? Just stating a 5k mile oci seems a bit old…

 

[DuckRyder]

I take no real position on the veracity of this particular account, there are some odd things (like it seems as if the poster rolled over fairly easily) however i could easily see it being true.

Way back in the day we denied warranty on stuff where it was clearly neglected, but it had to be pretty obvious. Even then some extended warranty companies would seek records.

We also had a guy who got a little brazen after a significant number of transmissions in a GN. He came in with a dial in on the windshield and when pushed he said it was from a stereo completion (because you know dealership employees are all stupid and none of us have ever been to a drag race or sound off). He got that transmission, but the next time Buick had a picture of it coming of the line at Commerce drag strip.

Now days the information is easier to come by, the car can tell on you. Any company would be remiss in not using available information to deny a warranty claim that wasn't legitimate. The morel, ethical, societal question is where is the line for legitimate - is it 600 miles over a 5000 mile interval and working a short trip from home, or is it slicks at commerce?

I mean you take your VW in for a recall and the flash counter doesn't agree you're TD1 flagged, take your Duramax or Power Stroke in with a blown motor you can bet they are going to download the PCM and if it shows any sign of being tuned consider yourself lucky if they let it go... I'm sure they aren't the only three.

 

[Nessism1]

Yeah but does your Honda have a service indicator? If so, some onus falls on the “trust the indicator”.

Does the Mazda have the same indicator/algorithm? Just stating a 5k mile oci seems a bit old…

Yes, my Honda has a "maintenance minder". It does not account for short trip, though. I still say that Mazda's maintenance info is lacking; it doesn't define "short trip" or "cold". If this story is actually true, and they denied coverage based on 600 too many miles, I'd be looking for a lawyer.

 

[wemay]

Add me to the people that discredit your posts.

Actually, I've read a lot about Mazda 2.5 engines with poor blocks, causing coolant leaks. Also, a lot of 2.5 Turbo's with high oil consumption. Add in poor customer service, and owners are on shaky ground. You are free to do what you want, and so am I.

We're all free to make decisions based on whatever reason(s) we choose. But you didn't mention any of these^ as being the reason you're crossing Mazda off your list. You said...

"Add me to the list of people that won't buy a new Mazda after learning about this situation."