Local Mazda Dealership Picking Our Pockets... Again !!

[CX5T Lover]

Just received from my local Mazda dealership a: "Your Mazda is due for a scheduled maintenance" reminder card in the mail today. It started off with: "Nothing keeps your 2015 Mazda CX-5 performing at its best like scheduled maintenance. Our records show that your Mazda has about 4,300 miles on it and is ready for the following service... '5,000 mile Vehicle Service' which includes"...

*Replace engine oil & oil filter
*Lubricate all hinges, locks & latches
*Rotate tires & check for wear
*Complete a multi-point inspection

Included as part of the brochure was a $51.88 minor maintenance coupon (regular price being $58.88, but only if regular oil is used... then it's $68.88 for the better(?) oil), plus tax.

The Mazda 2015 CX-5 Owner's Manual, under the heading of "Maintenance & Care, Scheduled Maintenance", on page 6-5 clearly states the maintenance interval is 7,500 miles... and not 5,000.

I find it interesting that the dealership is suggesting that I now need my 7,500 (I mean 5,00) mile oil changed, yet again I can see why... and it has nothing to do with keeping my vehicle in tip top shape as far as I'm concerned.

By having the vehicle maintenance done 2,500 miles before it's indicated in the owners manual, the dealership automatically picks up a extra "owner paid for maintenance" every 15,000 miles, or in this case $70.00 or more.

Multiply this amount times the number of vehicles they've sold and it comes to a nice chunk of $$$ in the dealership's pocket. Add this to the usual (additional) parts and service that the dealership finds that's needed(?) to be done before you take possession of your beloved vehicle and it now amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Am I reading this whole situation wrong... or is it just me? Why would my dealership want me to follow their maintenance schedule when the Mazda corporation says differently?

CX5T Lover

 

[paris1]

You need to re-read the maintenance section of your owners' manual starting at page 6-4. It shows two maintenance schedules for North American vehicles. Schedule 1 (with service intervals of 7500 miles) for owners who basically do nothing but flat freeway driving in temperate climates on non dusty roads and Schedule 2 (with service intervals of 5000 miles) for the rest of us who live in real world conditions. Most dealers assume that you fall into the latter group and prompt their customers to service their vehicles accordingly. If you want to stretch your interval to 7500, that's your business, but I don't see any reason to get all wound up over something like this. BTW: the subject of oil change intervals has been beaten to death on this and other forums since the dawn of time. A simple search will turn up all manner of post on the subject.

 

[ocinsomniac]

That is why I do my own oil changes, and most of the PM myself. Every once in awhile I'll bring it in for a tire rotation when I don't feel like getting out my floor jack, and throw a bone to the service dept, just so they don't forget who I am. I keep a record on a spreadsheet of everything I've done with receipts, dates & mileage according to the owner's manual. Otherwise they will nickel & dime you to death with their "XXXXX Mile Service"(s) and they often establish their own "Recommended Service Intervals" which are more frequent than the manufacturer and owner's manual recommends. All a ploy to dig deeper & deeper into one's pockets.

Yeah, for the most part, I try keep the role of the dealer's service dept limited to warranty work.......

 

[GP 2004]

In my shopping for my new Mazda, I emailed dealers and then called the dealers that interested me. One of the perks that I was looking for in the bargaining process was free service included in the price. For next time, remember to ask for free service for a year. I was able to get that, and it swayed me buying from one dealer to a different one.

 

[Sekmor]

I don't know, are they over selling or just trying to help with your maintenance?
We do the 5000 mile / 8000 kms service, and we too get these things in the mail. I'm assuming our car is listed at the dealer and this is just a computer generated reminder, guessing at our mileage. Then an admin person mails out the little brochure.
Whether you use it or not is up to you. Personally I watch my own schedule, but there are lots of people out there that are thankful for the reminder.

 

[CX5T Lover]

Oil Change? Not At All.

You need to re-read the maintenance section of your owners' manual starting at page 6-4. It shows two maintenance schedules for North American vehicles.

I did... and I fall under Schedule 1.

Most dealers assume that you fall into the latter group and prompt their customers to service their vehicles accordingly.

Considering where I live and the minimal amount of miles I put on the vehicle each month (2,200 for the past 3 months, or roughly 25 miles a day), I sure don't fit under schedule 2.

If you want to stretch your interval to 7500, that's your business, but I don't see any reason to get all wound up over something like this.

I wasn't looking to "stretch" anything. After all, I was only looking to follow what the operator's manual stated per my specific set of circumstances.

As far as: "Getting wound up over something like this"... I wasn't. I was just pointing out the difference of what my dealership wanted me to do... and what Mazda Corporation suggested.

BTW: the subject of oil change intervals has been beaten to death on this and other forums since the dawn of time. A simple search will turn up all manner of post on the subject.

Unfortunately you missed the whole point of my post. It wasn't about "oil changes", per say, but rather what I felt was the dealership trying to slyly put a few more bucks $$$ into their pocket... especially when older Senior Citizens receiving a dealers notice like this one and then think it's necessary for the unneeded(?) service.

CX5T Lover

 

[inlinev]

You need to re-read the maintenance section of your owners' manual starting at page 6-4. It shows two maintenance schedules for North American vehicles. Schedule 1 (with service intervals of 7500 miles) for owners who basically do nothing but flat freeway driving in temperate climates on non dusty roads and Schedule 2 (with service intervals of 5000 miles) for the rest of us who live in real world conditions. Most dealers assume that you fall into the latter group and prompt their customers to service their vehicles accordingly. If you want to stretch your interval to 7500, that's your business, but I don't see any reason to get all wound up over something like this. BTW: the subject of oil change intervals has been beaten to death on this and other forums since the dawn of time. A simple search will turn up all manner of post on the subject.

Almost everyone falls under schedule 1. With longer oil change intervals dealership and small garages are losing a revenue source. The second schedule is in there as mainly a concession from the manufacturers to the dealers.

 

[DBLXX]

Life is too short.

Toss the flyer and crack open a cold beer

 

[littlebear]

ALL DEALERSHIPS and ALL CAR MANUFACTURERS do this. Whether it's a Toyota, GM, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Honda, THEY ALL DO IT.

 

[piotrek91]

I did... and I fall under Schedule 1.
Considering where I live and the minimal amount of miles I put on the vehicle each month (2,200 for the past 3 months, or roughly 25 miles a day), I sure don't fit under schedule 2.

Schedule 1 requires maintenance to be done every 6 months OR 7500 miles.. since you'll only drive 4,400 miles in 6 months you should, in theory, be servicing your car every 6 months.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Schedule 1 for me.. I've done extended oil changes the last 15 years or so with no issues. I haven't done a dino 3-4K change since I was a kid.

Anyone know what the intervals are for petrol models in Europe?

 

[123373]

Wait until they tell you they need to change your plugs at 30,000 miles!

 

[yrwei52]

In my shopping for my new Mazda, I emailed dealers and then called the dealers that interested me. One of the perks that I was looking for in the bargaining process was free service included in the price. For next time, remember to ask for free service for a year. I was able to get that, and it swayed me buying from one dealer to a different one.

Free oil change from Mazda dealers means you get unknown brand of dino oil. Totally not worth it!

 

[yrwei52]

Schedule 1 for me.. I've done extended oil changes the last 15 years or so with no issues. I haven't done a dino 3-4K change since I was a kid.
Anyone know what the intervals are for petrol models in Europe?

They use flexible OCI mostly. Or 12,500 mile / 12 month OCI with Mazda Supra 0W-20 or Mazda Ultra 5w-30 oil on SA-G 2.5L and 2.0L.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Anyone know what the intervals are for petrol models in Europe?

Looks like up to 12 months or 12.5K miles. The equivalent of Schedule 2 is 6,250 miles or 6 months.

http://idn.tweddle.com/media/mazda/60b1a_CX-5_8DV5-EE-14L-R_Edition1_web_OM_LR.pdf

Interesting on the spark plug interval:

 

[andyg]

Almost everyone falls under schedule 1. With longer oil change intervals dealership and small garages are losing a revenue source. The second schedule is in there as mainly a concession from the manufacturers to the dealers.

This statement is based on what? You feel most of America (or the world) drives only on highways and no severe conditions? I completely disagree. Mazda sends me emails all the time. Most have coupons for service. Its just a suggestion, and good business. If you dont want to go there when they suggest, dont go. Its that simple

 

[Unobtanium]

This statement is based on what? You feel most of America (or the world) drives only on highways and no severe conditions? I completely disagree. Mazda sends me emails all the time. Most have coupons for service. Its just a suggestion, and good business. If you dont want to go there when they suggest, dont go. Its that simple

No! It's a conspiracy! All a plot, you see!

 

[GP 2004]

Free oil change from Mazda dealers means you get unknown brand of dino oil. Totally not worth it!

NO! Castrol 0W-20 as prescribed by Mazda! Suitable for maintenance contracts and Mazda warranty.

 

[Sekmor]

Free oil change from Mazda dealers means you get unknown brand of dino oil. Totally not worth it!

I'm pretty sure the dealer is using oil that is warranty approved and meant for your CX5.
Our dealer uses Mazda full synthetic 0W20, that comes in a 1L jug. They tell me that is all they use in the Skyactives. The first 2 oil changes were free, and when I asked about the oil, they gave me one of the jugs that still had a bit of oil left over. (can't use the full 5L).

 

[yrwei52]

Free oil change from Mazda dealers means you get unknown brand of dino oil. Totally not worth it!

NO! Castrol 0W-20 as prescribed by Mazda! Suitable for maintenance contracts and Mazda warranty.

Many Mazda dealers use crappy oil for "standard" (or free) oil change unless you ask for Mazda Moly oil or Castrol oil with additional cost.

From OP:

"Included as part of the brochure was a $51.88 minor maintenance coupon (regular price being $58.88, but only if regular oil is used... then it's $68.88 for the better(?) oil), plus tax."