Engine Oil change - Where and synthetic oil vs standard

[icpeanuts]

My Mazda5 is up for an 3000 mile Oil Change.

Should I go to the dealership for the Oil Change? or please recommend a good .
How much would a oil Change at a Mazda dealer cost? Should I go with synthetic or standard? What would synthetic oil change cost?

I have a 2010 Mazda5, is there a 3000 mile Checkup at the dealership? how much would something like that cost?

Thanks

 

[erick pina]

I have a coupon for $12.95 at the dealer.but they run for about $35.00 and I take my own oil.

 

[flcruising]

Oil change interval is 5k minimum. Here's the schedule in the '08 Owner's Manual. Check yours, it will be in there too.

View attachment Maintenance and Care.pdf

 

[Heat]

The problem with the dealership is that you will be waiting there for an hour or so while they do the change plus travel time to and from the dealer. Or you can go to a quick lube place, but then you are trusting that they will remove the bottom engine shield correctly, not overtighten (or strip) your oil pan plug, and then put the engine shield back on correctly (I wouldn't worry about the dealer messing this up, they do it all the time).

As for how much your dealer charges, each one is different. Call them and ask.

Though consider doing it yourself, it's about a 15 minute job (total) and you know that it's done right. And it's cheaper - I use Mobil 1 in my Mazda5 since I have a manual transmission and the manual transmissions run at higher RPMs, the cost is a little under $30. I could save $10 off of that by using Castrol GTX (normal oil).

 

[thaxman]

DIY. You are in control. Nothing like finding your oil light goes on 20 mi down the road, pulling over and seeing a trail of oil behind you. Or going in for a later oil change and the manager comes to you with a stripped out plug from your last change, which of course, they deny they are responsible for. Dealer is not immune to this, either. Every shop has that guy that does things his way, like using an impact on a steel bolt going into an aluminum block.

 

[Silentnoise713]

My Mazda5 is up for an 3000 mile Oil Change.

Should I go to the dealership for the Oil Change? or please recommend a good .
How much would a oil Change at a Mazda dealer cost? Should I go with synthetic or standard? What would synthetic oil change cost?

I have a 2010 Mazda5, is there a 3000 mile Checkup at the dealership? how much would something like that cost?

Thanks

Given the nature of your questions, I assume you are not a hands on car person. I would not advise you to work your car yourself unless you have the time, desire, and space/tools to work with. If no, just take it to any shop to do. Routine oil changes should be all you need if you follow your maintenance. Oil change is a basic service that ANY shop will do just as good or as bad of a job. Chances are the shop will let some young gun do this routine service and not the lead tech so your results will vary.

Standard motor oil along with a good oil filter is fine for your daily use at 5K intervals. Synthetic would be good if you drive the car hard or in harsh conditions, which I dont think you will, or if you want extended oil change intervals; but this comes at a premium. Standard oil changes can vary from $15-$30, depending on where you go. I say just go WalMart for basic oil change.

You do not need a 3000 miles check up, unless you notice something unusual with the car. And if you do, you should bring it in to be checked under your warrant not out of pocket.

 

[Robotazky]

DIY. You are in control. Nothing like finding your oil light goes on 20 mi down the road, pulling over and seeing a trail of oil behind you. Or going in for a later oil change and the manager comes to you with a stripped out plug from your last change, which of course, they deny they are responsible for. Dealer is not immune to this, either. Every shop has that guy that does things his way, like using an impact on a steel bolt going into an aluminum block.

Same thing with the impact on the lug bolts on the hubs. It kills me to see them start the bolts with an air tool.

I would like to add that I have driven away from a garage and felt/heard the plastic cover on the bottom ripping off of my MX3 and turned around to see it shattered in the road. I hate MOST mechanics. The part that upsets me is when you tell them not to do things that commonly cause mistakes and they look at you like you're an idiot and turn around and do something else really idiotic and tear the car up. Burns me up.

 

[Robotazky]

Given the nature of your questions, I assume you are not a hands on car person. I would not advise you to work your car yourself unless you have the time, desire, and space/tools to work with. If no, just take it to any shop to do. Routine oil changes should be all you need if you follow your maintenance. Oil change is a basic service that ANY shop will do just as good or as bad of a job. Chances are the shop will let some young gun do this routine service and not the lead tech so your results will vary.

Standard motor oil along with a good oil filter is fine for your daily use at 5K intervals. Synthetic would be good if you drive the car hard or in harsh conditions, which I don’t think you will, or if you want extended oil change intervals; but this comes at a premium. Standard oil changes can vary from $15-$30, depending on where you go. I say just go WalMart for basic oil change.

You do not need a 3000 miles check up, unless you notice something unusual with the car. And if you do, you should bring it in to be checked under your warrant –not out of pocket.

Honestly, I think changing oil is easier than correctly jacking and securing a vehicle to keep yourself from getting hurt. People overlook a lot when it comes to safety. My fiancee's office manager just lost a husband to an incorrectly lifted vehicle. I think she said he used ramps without jacks and a ramp gave out. You should ALWAYS have a redundant jacking setup and pay careful attention that the jacks are positioned where they are supposed to be. My MX3 has caved in body areas underneath where the previous owner (idiot) jacked the car in the wrong places. He/she could've easily died doing that based on what I can see. Hell, maybe they did die and that's how it wound up for sale.

All that said, if jacking a vehicle correctly is unknown to you, I would advise not changing oil yourself. The rest is just unscrewing/screwing a couple of things and pouring oil into a hole with a fluid quantity stated in the manual. Pretty simple stuff. Not jacking your car correctly can easily maim or kill you.

 

[DKaz]

After I saw a mechanic use an air wrench to put my drain plug back on, I swore that was the last time they were touching any of my cars. (mad) They want you buying a new car every 4 years.

 

[jimp]

the only really hard part is dealing with the oil filter, its not hard labor, you just have to be careful not to break/crack/mame the oil filter housing which is made out of plastic. There are several good write-ups on how to change the oil in a 5 or a 3, since they are identical under the hood. do a search, and you should find some good write ups to help you decide whether you want to try it or not.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

if you can do it yourself, and have the time and supplies to do so, it is great. Me, i do exactly what erick says below.

I have a coupon for $12.95 at the dealer.but they run for about $35.00 and I take my own oil.

i dont trust "jiffy lube" types, but hopefully the dealership (i know the one i go to pretty well) will have experienced people that arent screw ups. Heck, if they are, most dealerships will fix problems they start.

Also, the manual for my 2008 5 says 5000 miles for the harsh condition oil change. i would at least wait till then unless you are having problems.

I dont know why people complain about a 30-40 dollar oil change. it costs more than that to fill up the tank with gas!

 

[Silentnoise713]

the only really hard part is dealing with the oil filter, its not hard labor, you just have to be careful not to break/crack/mame the oil filter housing which is made out of plastic. There are several good write-ups on how to change the oil in a 5 or a 3, since they are identical under the hood. do a search, and you should find some good write ups to help you decide whether you want to try it or not.

Another option: buy an oil filter relocation kit and a fumoto valve and have a local shop install it. Now you can now easily do oil changes without a mess.

http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=2869 (assuming the Mazda3's 2.3 is the same as the Mazda5's 2.3)
http://www.fumotousa.com/

 

[DKaz]

I might try out that conversion kit. The valve looks cool but how reliable is it?

 

[kyoshiro]

can people drain your oil in the parking lot with that valve? :S

 

[SuperJETT]

can people drain your oil in the parking lot with that valve? :S

Yes, just like they can with a wrench/ratchet currently.

 

[kyoshiro]

u would look suspicious with a wrench and ratchet tho
i'd be like slide under, pull, jet if its a valve. I say they add a lock to it.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I might try out that conversion kit. The valve looks cool but how reliable is it?

Look up reviews online

u would look suspicious with a wrench and ratchet tho
i'd be like slide under, pull, jet if its a valve. I say they add a lock to it.

Or you can simply not use one if you are so worried about it. There are worst things that people can do to you car and going under to drain oil is not likely to happen.



Side note: imaging if you do have these two mods and still take the car in to get an oil change

 

[icpeanuts]

Great advices, Thank you so much.

I thought oil change are every 3000 miles?

I will probably go to the dealer for the Oil Change. I will give them a call and see how much it would cost. I really do not mind paying the fee as long as it is reasonable, I just worry that the mechanic does a crappy job.

My previous car, Honda Accord was messed up by an improper Oil Change. I drove my car out and the Check Engine Oil light light up and I found a trail of Engine oil and my engine was messed up after that. All sort of problems started to happen.

 

[Robotazky]

Great advices, Thank you so much.

I thought oil change are every 3000 miles?

I will probably go to the dealer for the Oil Change. I will give them a call and see how much it would cost. I really do not mind paying the fee as long as it is reasonable, I just worry that the mechanic does a crappy job.

My previous car, Honda Accord was messed up by an improper Oil Change. I drove my car out and the Check Engine Oil light light up and I found a trail of Engine oil and my engine was messed up after that. All sort of problems started to happen.

and this is exactly why I hate "mechanics".

 

[AO928]

I have the valve on my car. Makes an oil change SUPER simple.