1st Oil Change

[Unobtanium]

These Mazda Skyactiv engines are built in Hiroshima, Japan on very new, precision heavy industrial machining equipment. Modern, state of the art stuff. You have never owned a car built to such high engineering tolerances and thus, there is no need to change your oil at 585 miles. That's ridiculous. These are not the same as "American Iron" that was built in the 70's and 80's on old, worn-out and antiquidated machining equipment. We used to joke that the owner got to do the final machining in the first 5,000 miles of ownership.

Unless you have money to burn, just change it at 5,000-7,500 miles. Based on the thread where you are reluctant to buy winter tires because of the small amount of additional expense, I'm guessing you don't have money to burn.

Indeed, I used to make around 6 figures, but make around half that, now. However, ironically, I "feel the same". I do, however, weigh certain purchases more heavily now, but I am FAR HAPPIER than I was living where I used to, and I'd take the pay-cut any day of the year to be where I am right now.

That said, oil changes are not that expensive, and I was talking about my Z06, not this vehicle.

I have read up on this motor, and am VERY impressed with all that has been done! Sure, it's still going to produce more wear metal in the first few hundred miles than in the rest of its life, but I doubt it matters so much, really. I doubt it mattered a whole ton in my Z06.

Anyway, I never would have DREAMED that anyone would dump the level of R&D into these motors that Mazda has. That's unheard of in America. In America, you dump money into "Halo cars", like the Z06, the Viper, FGT and GT500, etc. Not econo-suv's. So it caught me off guard when I read all about the things that went into making my motor. Also, there is a ton of win to be found in buying metal products made on new machinery. Pretty heavy into Class III items and firearms in general, and I can't tell you how many times a great manufacturer has let tolerances slip to the point that Uncle Sugar has threatened contracts due to loose tolerances secondary to worn machining tools. That right there is an easter-egg for this motor, IMO

 

[yrwei52]

... Anyway, I never would have DREAMED that anyone would dump the level of R&D into these motors that Mazda has. That's unheard of in America. In America, you dump money into "Halo cars", like the Z06, the Viper, FGT and GT500, etc. Not econo-suv's. So it caught me off guard when I read all about the things that went into making my motor. Also, there is a ton of win to be found in buying metal products made on new machinery. Pretty heavy into Class III items and firearms in general, and I can't tell you how many times a great manufacturer has let tolerances slip to the point that Uncle Sugar has threatened contracts due to loose tolerances secondary to worn machining tools. That right there is an easter-egg for this motor, IMO

This is the reason why I persuaded my wife getting our first Mazda instead of a Lexus RX she always wants. I believe SkyActiv Technology actually works. The longevity should be fine as it mainly based on the principle of higher compression ratio for better efficiency. It's harder, as you mentioned, to do this way as it's a new innovation than adding a turbo charger and CVT like most other automakers did with existing technologies. SkyActiv is easier to make it more reliable than turbo and CVT setups. And I think it's a better way to meet CAFE fuel efficiency standard in the future.

 

[Unobtanium]

This is the reason why I persuaded my wife getting our first Mazda instead of a Lexus RX she always wants. I believe SkyActiv Technology actually works. The longevity should be fine as it mainly based on the principle of higher compression ratio for better efficiency. It's harder, as you mentioned, to do this way as it's a new innovation than adding a turbo charger and CVT like most other automakers did with existing technologies. SkyActiv is easier to make it more reliable than turbo and CVT setups. And I think it's a better way to meet CAFE fuel efficiency standard in the future.

All an engine is, is an air-pump. The Sky-Active air-pump compresses air more. This means it can fit a greater mass of air in its cylinders, without adding diameter or stroke or rpm to said cylinders or their operation. Means more fuel can be mixed. Means more power without adding anything else to the equation aside from engineering, and engineering has no weight or parasitic rotation assy. loss.

The only other way is forced induction, which adds a TON of parasitic loss (Supercharger), or heat and more parts to break (turbocharger).

I agree 100% that SkyActiv is a step in a good direction. I'm still just shocked they put it in a toaster on wheels, compared to something sexy, like say, the new RX-9 or something. Typically "halo technologies" are pioneered in "Halo vehicles", such as the plasma-cylinder linings Ford leased to Nissan for the GT-R (as well as used in the GT500). Or the MRC suspension that GM leased to Ferrari, which they piloted with the Corvette. Or the hybrid technology that Porsche is pimping in their 918.

But here is Mazda, putting an absurdly advanced motor in the most mundane segment they could find: The sub-30K CUV.

That said, the sub-30K CUV fits my needs and budget at this stage in life, and I am darn impressed with all that they shoved in that wrapper! It was also a great move on Mazda's part, considering CAFE, and Mazda's penchant for horribly inefficient (emission wise) rotary engines, and the promise of an RX-9 "soon", as well as the fact that the CUV an sub-$30K "family car" segment that they piloted this engine in, is also a massive customer base. I like that: Let's put our new tech in EVERY driveway, not just the rich guy's!

It's solid, intelligent marketing, I think. If a bit less sexy.

Anyway, I am extremely impressed with what I've learned about SkyActiv. Very pleased with the choice I made so far! Even if I leapt before I looked! This seems like I landed well!

 

[inlinev]

But here is Mazda, putting an absurdly advanced motor in the most mundane segment they could find: The sub-30K CUV.

the compact SUV market is one of the fastest growing segments, and the current gen CX-5 is the second best selling vehicle for mazda, behind the 3. So yea, i think they made the right call...

 

[Unobtanium]

Got that magic mazda juice in my crank case today. Curious if mileage improves.

 

[Dmac43]

Did my 1st change at 3k with Amsoil... Gas mileage still similar, will hold off on opinion till I take another highway trip...
Seems about 2 MPG better around town, but here in Orlando there are many times that you need to lead foot to keep the idiots from boxing you in...

 

[inlinev]

Got that magic mazda juice in my crank case today. Curious if mileage improves.

Did my 1st change at 3k with Amsoil... Gas mileage still similar, will hold off on opinion till I take another highway trip...
Seems about 2 MPG better around town, but here in Orlando there are many times that you need to lead foot to keep the idiots from boxing you in...

How did you quantify this? I wonder why Mazda didn't think of this, as a 2mpg increase would be a significant change to their CAFE rating. I've never heard of oil returning almost a 10% increase in mileage.

 

[Dmac43]

Probably due to breaking in as the mileage does seem to get better over time.
I quantified by filling my tank andrunning it almost dry then dividing the gallons by mileage

 

[Bob-Loblaw]

Ok I'm sitting at 4,800 miles and getting ready to take the car in before embarking on vacation. I've been off the grid for a while so I'm hoping someone can tell me the latest updates to ask the dealer to perform. I read a bit about how to manually install a firmware update but I figured I'd just ask the dealer to do it since I'm going there anyway.

Also, I think there was a TSP for fixing the non-shuffle problem when listening to music on a flash drive (so it doesn't play the songs in the same order every time). Does anybody have the TSP # I can reference? Anything else I should ask about?

Still absolutely loving the car and taking great care of it. My family jokes that they are uncomfortable in the car cuz I'm so anal about it and it still looks like it did when I drove it off the lot, if not better thanks to the gloss coat. Hope everybody is enjoying their 16' as much as I am.

 

[yrwei52]

Ok I'm sitting at 4,800 miles and getting ready to take the car in before embarking on vacation.

Make sure to ask what kind of oil your dealer will use. I'd ask for Mazda moly oil if I were you.

 

[urban_]

Ok I'm sitting at 4,800 miles and getting ready to take the car in before embarking on vacation. I've been off the grid for a while so I'm hoping someone can tell me the latest updates to ask the dealer to perform. I read a bit about how to manually install a firmware update but I figured I'd just ask the dealer to do it since I'm going there anyway.

Also, I think there was a TSP for fixing the non-shuffle problem when listening to music on a flash drive (so it doesn't play the songs in the same order every time). Does anybody have the TSP # I can reference? Anything else I should ask about?

Still absolutely loving the car and taking great care of it. My family jokes that they are uncomfortable in the car cuz I'm so anal about it and it still looks like it did when I drove it off the lot, if not better thanks to the gloss coat. Hope everybody is enjoying their 16' as much as I am.

Bought mine in April, and I'm still the same way. I love the '16 GT.

 

[Bob-Loblaw]

Make sure to ask what kind of oil your dealer will use. I'd ask for Mazda moly oil if I were you.

Ok will do. I think the moly oil is extra iirc, any idea how much more expensive it should be?

And I will definitely make sure they DO NOT wash the car!

 

[adgjqetuo]

You guys are so particular

Drive and enjoy her!

On an unrelated note, ours hit 10,000 yesterday (drive)

 

[Bob-Loblaw]

Make sure to ask what kind of oil your dealer will use. I'd ask for Mazda moly oil if I were you.

I called 2 dealerships today and both said they didn't carry the Mazda Moly oil and sounded like they had never heard of it. They said they only carry what Mazda recommends, Castrol. I'm in a warm climate (so cal) so I'm wondering if it's a big deal. I've read the Moly oil is better for cold starts but I garage my car so I never really have that problem.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I called 2 dealerships today and both said they didn't carry the Mazda Moly oil and sounded like they had never heard of it. They said they only carry what Mazda recommends, Castrol. I'm in a warm climate (so cal) so I'm wondering if it's a big deal. I've read the Moly oil is better for cold starts but I garage my car so I never really have that problem.

You might see if they can find this PN in their system for the oil.

0000-G5-0W20-MQ

IMO benefits in all temps having Moly in the oil

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/moly-basics/

 

[yrwei52]

Make sure to ask what kind of oil your dealer will use. I'd ask for Mazda moly oil if I were you.

I called 2 dealerships today and both said they didn't carry the Mazda Moly oil and sounded like they had never heard of it. They said they only carry what Mazda recommends, Castrol. I'm in a warm climate (so cal) so I'm wondering if it's a big deal. I've read the Moly oil is better for cold starts but I garage my car so I never really have that problem.

Try to call parts first and see if they have Mazda oil in stock. Use part number 0000-G5-0W20-MQ Kedis82ZE8 provided. Sometimes service department has no clue their parts has Mazda oil. A cheaper way is you order the oil change kit (Mazda SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY Oil Filter, Drain Plug Washer and 5 Quarts of Mazda 0w20 Moly Oil) online for $39.32 at Med Center Mazda (just make sure to order three for over $100 to avoid expensive shipping) and take the kit to dealer for oil change. Or you can always DIY as oil change on CX-5 is so easy!

My dealer uses a brand of oil I've never heard of it (I'll find out next time I stop by). I've seen several members here say their dealer service had not heard Mazda moly oil. It seems, like Mazda Extended Confidence, Mazda North American Operations are making no effort to encourage their dealers selling one of the best oil well suited for SkyActiv engines.