MS3 Oil change(s)

[Hellotalkie]

Got new keys! Had an oil change done at the dealership.

They strongly recommended against synthetic oil, which I found a bit odd, since it being a somewhat performance turbo engine.

I have the mazda care plan, dealer oil changes covered (I might cancel this plan).

They don't use Synthetic oil. They use standard Napa oil. The guy said something about synthetic being too thin and getting into areas of the engine where oil shouldn't be going? How it'll affect the turbo later down the road?

Anyways, suggestions? My manual says use 5w-30 standard. Speed forums are calling for synthetic. What to follow?

 

[desy]

I'd suggest that's BS its not too thin, its API rating is its rating
More likely is they want you coming back frequently and if you reduce your intervals there is less chance to sell you something else

 

[Jimzz]

"synthetic being too thin and getting into areas of the engine where oil shouldn't be going? "


Facepalm. Contact Mazda Corp and ask them that. Tell them the dealer that told it as well.

But yes I would use a Syn 5w30 oil myself.

 

[Meghan54]

With a turbo, synthetic oil would be the only thing I'd run in it.

And that "too thin" crap is exactly that.....BS crap.

 

[LTC8K6]

Why would you doubt the owner's manual?

Use conventional 5W-30.

 

[Meghan54]

Why would you doubt the owner's manual?

Use conventional 5W-30.

His manual doesn't say conventional, just 5W-30.

Now, the SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.0 and MZR 2.5 models require 0W-20 synthetic, but the MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo simply says oil with a viscosity of 5W-30. Nowhere does it say no synthetic or conventional only.

 

[LTC8K6]

His manual doesn't say conventional, just 5W-30.

Now, the SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.0 and MZR 2.5 models require 0W-20 synthetic, but the MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo simply says oil with a viscosity of 5W-30. Nowhere does it say no synthetic or conventional only.

If it required synthetic 5W-30, it would say so, it says synthetic for the other engines.

It says to use Mazda Genuine Oil 5W-30 in the Turbo.

 

[LTC8K6]

MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo
U.S.A. and CANADA
5W-30 recommended:
Mazda Genuine Oil is used in your Mazda
vehicle and is the recommended 5W-30
lubricant. Mazda Genuine 5W-30 Oil is
required to achieve optimum fuel
economy.
Recommended viscosity: SAE 5W-30

 

[LTC8K6]

It's probably a blend anyway.

 

[JCH13]

I have used nothing but synthetic in mine and it's been fine. Sythetic oil issues are pretty much 'old mechanics wives' tales. I won't go into the details on this unless someone is REALLY interested.

I would not want conventional oil used in my MS3 because of it's relatively demanding engine in terms of heat and abuse. Especially when considering the evidence in many exploded MS3 engines are from oil starvation issues at low RPM/high boost.

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't think anyone here is saying synthetic is bad.

The owner's manual just does not appear to recommend or require it for the turbo.

 

[LTC8K6]

His manual doesn't say conventional, just 5W-30.

Now, the SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.0 and MZR 2.5 models require 0W-20 synthetic, but the MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo simply says oil with a viscosity of 5W-30. Nowhere does it say no synthetic or conventional only.

IIRC, all 0W-20 is synthetic or a blend.

 

[pauldun170]

I'm tempted to say "Buy the cheapest oil that satisfies the manufacturers recommendation unless you live in parts of the north where sub-zero temps are very common or if this is a track car."

If you change your oil when you are supposed to, that Mazda 2.3 will probably die of other causes before oil type has an effect.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Only had synthetic oil in mine and my dealership have never suggested regular for the speed3.

 

[thescreensavers]

Recommendations By Manufactures aren't always the greatest...

Its well known that Resource Conserving oils will break down due to turbo heat. Also GF-5 Oil are practically made to shear for MPG.

Rotella T6 is very popular as it holds its viscosity and isn't Resource Conserving so holds up to the heat very well. . Quick Search shows me that T6 is a popular choice for the MS3 as it is for Subbies.

German Castrol 0W30 and M1 0W40 are very popular and good oils since these are Euro Spec oils which are not made to shear down for MPG.


Personally since the words in my manual say "5W30 is REQUIRED" I went with 5W30 Motul X-Clean 8100 which meets my Manuals API SM Requirement and has Euro Specs so it should hold up to heat, reading other peoples UOA's it does.

 

[Danimal1209]

Recommendations By Manufactures aren't always the greatest...

+1

My turbo eclipse gsx suggests platinum plugs, but copper has been proven to work much much better.

Also, I have been using synthetic in my gsx for the last 60k miles (how long I've owned it) and never had any issues with the turbo. And I beat on the thing.

 

[LTC8K6]

Only had synthetic oil in mine and my dealership have never suggested regular for the speed3.

Do they make more money on a synthetic oil change?

The manual also says this:

Turbocharger Information
The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides improved
operation and requires minimum additional maintenance. To get maximum performance
from your turbocharged engine, take note of the following tips:
l The turbocharged engine is designed for optimal operation with premium unleaded
gasoline (page 4-2). Do not use fuel with a lower octane rating. Extra fuel additives are
NOT recommended.
l Change the engine oil and filter using the turbo engine interval outlined in the
maintenance schedule (for your driving condition).
l Use only the recommended engine oil (page 8-21). Extra oil additives are NOT
recommended.
l After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to
cool the turbo before turning off the engine. Avoid simply shutting the engine off
abruptly after a hard or long drive. Damage to the turbocharger may result.
l Do not race or over-rev the engine when starting. This should not be done with ANY
engine, especially not with one that's turbocharged.
l Do not add any aftermarket devices to alter the engine's ignition timing, fuel delivery, or
turbo boost pressure. This may lead to serious engine damage and may void your
warranty.

Again, I don't think synthetic oil is bad for the engine at all and I have no idea why the dealer would say anything like that in the OP, but it's probably an unnecessary expense for daily drivers.

 

[Jimzz]

Do they make more money on a synthetic oil change?

The manual also says this:


Again, I don't think synthetic oil is bad for the engine at all and I have no idea why the dealer would say anything like that in the OP, but it's probably an unnecessary expense for daily drivers.

In this case they make extra money using the cheaper oil. The op paid for the "I have the mazda care plan, dealer oil changes covered". So they already have his money. So for the dealer they use the cheapest product that meets their contract.

Also he has a Turbo car. Turbo based cars are one of the few that really work better with a god syn oil.

 

[LTC8K6]

In this case they make extra money using the cheaper oil. The op paid for the "I have the mazda care plan, dealer oil changes covered". So they already have his money. So for the dealer they use the cheapest product that meets their contract.

Also he has a Turbo car. Turbo based cars are one of the few that really work better with a god syn oil.

Perhaps for the OP, but that reply was not to the OP.

If the mfg calls for conventional, then the plan is for conventional oil changes and the dealer wouldn't be making extra profit, except in general on such plans.

If you have to change the oil at the mfgs intervals anyway for the warranty, then synthetic is probably not actually benefiting the average daily driver.

It calls for changes at 5K or 7.5K miles depending on conditions, I believe. So if you drive it "hard" on the street, you can probably just go with the earlier 5K changes and conventional oil. That would be the adjustment I'd make, rather than purchasing synthetic oil.

It's the owner's choice, of course and I wouldn't tell anyone not to use synthetic oil in a conventional turbocharged engine, or tell them that it's bad to use it.

 

[Fritzo]

OK, I think I know what's going on here.

The guy doing the oil may be an old timer. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, synthetic oil was new and it has viscosity problems, causing seepage into o-rings and seals. Over the years that problem has been fixed, but some guys in the industry still hold on to that stereotype.

Truthfully, today's standard oil is so refined that it's nearly as good as synthetic, but the guy that said "don't use synthetic" may be holding on to outdated info- a lot like the people that thing artificial sweeteners cause cancer.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Finance guy would lower my rate to ~3.2% if I had bought the Mazda Plan. So I purchased the plan, it just made sense, less money to the bank, more money invested in the car. That's the only reason why I purchased the plan.

Anyways, I'm faxing Mazda a form asking to cancel the plan - and I don't think they are allowed to change my percentage rate as that was all verbal on how we got to that final rate.

I did two oil changes from Mazda and I'll probably start using T6. Especially moving back from California to Ohio, I'll definitely need to do the 5,000 intervals, rather than the 7500.

 

[stag3]

Got new keys! Had an oil change done at the dealership.

They strongly recommended against synthetic oil, which I found a bit odd, since it being a somewhat performance turbo engine.

I have the mazda care plan, dealer oil changes covered (I might cancel this plan).

They don't use Synthetic oil. They use standard Napa oil. The guy said something about synthetic being too thin and getting into areas of the engine where oil shouldn't be going? How it'll affect the turbo later down the road?

Anyways, suggestions? My manual says use 5w-30 standard. Speed forums are calling for synthetic. What to follow?

problem is right there, dealer oil changes covered. cost them nothing to put conventional oil in there compared to synthetic.

i ran conventional until about 10k miles then switched out and stayed synthetic. my dealer recommended synthetic for my 08 ms3

 

[punjabiplaya]

actually, for people with smoking turbos due to oil getting past the seals, 5w-40 fixes it. I see where they're coming from, but if you're not smoking, 5w-30 synthetic is what I'd go with. It is what I've gone with for 75,000 miles now.

 

[Pacfanweb]

The "too thin" and "getting into places where it shouldn't" comments tell me that whoever said that to you doesn't understand engines in the least.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Just a quick question about checking the oil. When should or can the oil be checked?