Strange Bulk Oil

[The Critic]

Had my friend's Mazda 3 serviced at the dealer today.

The advisor told me that I could either get their house "Mazda bulk" 5w-20 for $32.88 or upgrade to Castrol GTX Bulk for $38.88. Even though the GTX was more expensive, Castrol is offering a $7 mail-in rebate, so it's actually cheaper, but that's besides the point.

I opted for their standard bulk 5w-20. I watched the tech do the service and he allowed the oil to drain for nearly 10 minutes, so all of the old oil was gone. The new oil was from a bulk gun, as expected.

Now, the new oil has the color of brown maple syrup. Like, it is light to medium brown. This new oil looks like it has 1500 miles on it already.

bdcardinal told me that Mazda 5w-20 does not come in bulk, only quarts, so I am puzzled as to what may be coming out of the bulk gun. The only new oil I know of that is relatively dark is Quaker State 5w30 bulk.

Does anyone know what brand/model conventional motor oils are relatively dark when new? Not that it matters of course, as the oil gets changed every 3,000 miles on this car, but I am just curious.

 

[Nayov]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Not that it matters of course, as the oil gets changed every 3,000 miles on this car, but I am just curious.


Better run for cover because the chorus here will say that is "too soon."

When I worked at a dealer and garages we used the cheapeast [censored] and that was Citgo that came out of the guns.

 

[bdcardinal]

my dealer uses Motorcraft genuine bulk. we are also a mazda dealer and keep mazda in quart bottles for RX8s since all our bulk is synthetic blend or full synthetic and we are not allowed to use either on rotaries.

I havent seen Mazda bulk listed in their catalog, just quart bottles. Ford has multiple part numbers for the same weight for different sizes.

 

[Oldwolf]

Why didn't you ask?

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Oldwolf
Why didn't you ask?


Do you really think he would have gotten a straight answer?

 

[2003f7]

Citgo is cheap and dark.

 

[Eddie]

I don't accept bulk oil unless the bulk container states what it is. Too easy to get the incorrect oil IMO.

 

[Nick R]

The 76 Conventional 5W-20 that Jiffy Lube put in our expy was fairly dark for a new oil.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
The 76 Conventional 5W-20 that Jiffy Lube put in our expy was fairly dark for a new oil.


ConocoPhillips 76 is family to Motorcraft, so that may be the best guess. Personally, I would have asked the service counter what oil they use for bulk. I would rather hear their lies - versus being left-out in the dark with no answer.

Also, the original tank that houses the bulk oil may originally been something like Pennzoil. Never trust the label on those bulk tanks. What it says and what you get may be two different oils.

They generally do not change tanks / barrels when changing oil brands.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Bulk oil is good for the ride home as a flush.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
The 76 Conventional 5W-20 that Jiffy Lube put in our expy was fairly dark for a new oil.


ConocoPhillips 76 is family to Motorcraft, so that may be the best guess. Personally, I would have asked the service counter what oil they use for bulk. I would rather hear their lies - versus being left-out in the dark with no answer.

Also, the original tank that houses the bulk oil may originally been something like Pennzoil. Never trust the label on those bulk tanks. What it says and what you get may be two different oils.

They generally do not change tanks / barrels when changing oil brands.


I called and asked what they used before I took it there, they said 76.

 

[beast3300]

Could it be darker than expected because the oil filter wasn't replaced??? Does that Mazda have a canister or spin on filter?

 

[qship1996]

I bet that bulk oil is actually recycled oil bought for a very low price. I would have brought my own bottles of my favorite oil and WATCHED them pour them into the crankcase.

 

[ledslinger]

Wow! Synlube bulk oil.

 

[HWEaton]

Probably CAM2. CAM2 is a little on the amber side. Most likely their 5W-20 Semi-Synthetic.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Nayov
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Not that it matters of course, as the oil gets changed every 3,000 miles on this car, but I am just curious.


Better run for cover because the chorus here will say that is "too soon."

It took 5 1/2 months to rack up 3,000 miles. The maximum interval allowed by Mazda is 6mo/7,500 miles.

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: Oldwolf
Why didn't you ask?


Do you really think he would have gotten a straight answer?

The advisor said it was "OEM Mazda 5W20." The ADP receipt just says 5W20.

Originally Posted By: beast3300
Could it be darker than expected because the oil filter wasn't replaced??? Does that Mazda have a canister or spin on filter?


This particular Mazda 3 has the 2.0 engine, so it has a spin-on filter. I watched the tech install a new filter, so the filter was indeed replaced.

Originally Posted By: ledslinger
Wow! Synlube bulk oil.

Originally Posted By: qship1996
I bet that bulk oil is actually recycled oil bought for a very low price. I would have brought my own bottles of my favorite oil and WATCHED them pour them into the crankcase.

There's nothing wrong with recycled oil, if that's what it is. It is only the basestocks that are rerefined.

 

[beast3300]

Not related to the original question but what brand spin-on filter did they use?
------
To the original question, I forgot to comment that Citgo bulk as mentioned is fairly dark.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
Not related to the original question but what brand spin-on filter did they use?


Genuine Mazda.

 

[beast3300]

Hmmm, ok cool. I was just curious because the Focus has the same engine that the Ford dealer uses Motorcraft filters.

 

[Geonerd]

I bet the Quickie Lube joint is just trying to be 'Green,' and is voluntarily recycling some of the used oil they collect.