2016 CX-5 Oil Change Frequency

4k interval is what I'd do and full synth. 7,500 is ok if you don't mind a little wear.


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One would need to do an oil analysis to determine if extended intervals were allowing any wear.

Synthetic can go far longer than dino. I have been doing extended changes for over 15 years and my motors have held up fine. They have not exhibited any noticeable oil consumption issues.

You would be amazed at how long they run some of the Amsoil products in the large diesel powerplants.
 
My 2014 CX5 states to use 0w20 oil. There is NO standard dino oil that meets that viscosity requirement. So your choice is synthetic or possibly a Blend. Therefore, the manual OC recommendation is for a syn or blend oil. You will NOT get Mazda Special Moly oil changed for $40 and most dealers in my area don't even stock it. Ed
 
One would need to do an oil analysis to determine if extended intervals were allowing any wear.

Synthetic can go far longer than dino. I have been doing extended changes for over 15 years and my motors have held up fine. They have not exhibited any noticeable oil consumption issues.

You would be amazed at how long they run some of the Amsoil products in the large diesel powerplants.

I've been doing my own oil changes for the last 30 years and I notice an increase in engine noise and feel. Yes you're right, but it makes the car run better so it must be better... My 1 cent. Ya'll can do whatcha want... :)


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My 2014 CX5 states to use 0w20 oil. There is NO standard dino oil that meets that viscosity requirement. So your choice is synthetic or possibly a Blend. Therefore, the manual OC recommendation is for a syn or blend oil. You will NOT get Mazda Special Moly oil changed for $40 and most dealers in my area don't even stock it. Ed

I just did an oil change on my CX-5 with the Mazda moly GF-5 for $40 (including filter and delivery). It took less time than driving to one of those speedy oil change shops and far less than the dealer. I bought three oil change kits on-line, all OEM parts. Super easy.

I'm averaging just over 6,000 miles between changes but I'm sure I could go longer. Ironically, my best MPG since new was the last tank with the old used oil so it must still be slippery. Over 38 MPG and 521 miles on the tank, pretty good for an AWD CUV!

I think the molybdenum is the slickest stuff since electric starters!
 
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After mine is broken in, over 5k, I plan on using full synthetic at 8k intervals. I want to say I saw where Mazda says you can go 10k with their oil & filter, but from my experience at 8k in a 4 or 6 cylinder the oil will be pretty dirty. If you are cheap and run a conventional oil, I'd only go for 5k.
 
After mine is broken in, over 5k, I plan on using full synthetic at 8k intervals.

CX-5's come with full synthetic.

I want to say I saw where Mazda says you can go 10k with their oil & filter, but from my experience at 8k in a 4 or 6 cylinder the oil will be pretty dirty. If you are cheap and run a conventional oil, I'd only go for 5k.

Oil color is not a good indicator of oil condition. Dark oil is not necessarily bad. You need an oil analysis to determine how much protection used oil retains.
 
Analysis on an 8K mile OCI on my wife's 2.0l CX-5 wasn't pretty. Fuel saturation was high. This, however, is due to driving habits or operational conditions, which is why Mazda recommend a 7500 OCI only under certain conditions.

For my latest UOA, I chose a 7500 mile OCI, but this time with many more highway miles than previously. Verdict is still out on that sample, but I suspect it'll look much better than the last.

You can utilize UOA to formulate your own OCI, based on your driving habits and operational conditions and how they play into your UOA results. Hopefully I'll be able to settle around 6K OCI on my wife's CX-5.
 
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Mike M., Yes I know Mazda used a Moly Full Syn. 0w20, but there are some cheap people that will still put conventional oil like a 5w20 or 5w30 in them. I'll stick with the full syn 0w20 myself. As far as oil color, of course a new light clearish oil has to be cleaner than dark brown or black oil. So without sending off used samples for testing, I don't feel it's a totally bad judge of oil. I'll probably change every 7500. Thanks for testing info saying 8k is probably too long.
 
As far as oil color, of course a new light clearish oil has to be cleaner than dark brown or black oil. So without sending off used samples for testing, I don't feel it's a totally bad judge of oil.

You are free to "feel" anything you want, but that has no influence on the facts.

Just like people who believe global warming is not caused by man doesn't change the fact that global warming is caused by man.
 
I haven't had a problem finding a full synthetic at the auto store locally (chicago area) for $30/5qt jug on sale. Something is always on sale. If it is $35, it usually comes with the filter for 'free' even though you pay $5 more for it (cost of the filter). I just got Mobil1 for $30 on sale with a filter for $35 and changed my oil yesterday for the third time at 16.5k (2.5k, 9k, 16.5k) and plan to continue at 7.5k per change. Finally put in my Fumoto as well. I look forward to my next change. Now if there was only a way to get that filter off and not get oil all over my hand/arm....

My only wish, design the filter mount so it drips away from me when I add/remove it.
 
In my experience, 7.5k is steep, especially for Mobil 1. Your mileage may vary...


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Did anyone measure how much oil was burned in 7500-1000 miles? Most people don't check their oil regularly. Some new cars (Porsche, Audi) burn oil like crazy and the company says it's normal.
 
In my experience, 7.5k is steep, especially for Mobil 1. Your mileage may vary...
I agree. Unless you're using Mazda Moly oil and OEM filter... 5K-mile OCI is agreed upon by most people here.
 
Did anyone measure how much oil was burned in 7500-1000 miles? Most people don't check their oil regularly. Some new cars (Porsche, Audi) burn oil like crazy and the company says it's normal.
According to recent Consumer-Reports, Audi's A3, A4, A5, A6 and Q5; BMW's 5, 6, and 7 Series and X5; and the Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester and Impreza are having problems of burning too much oil. Mazda CX-5 with SkyActiv-G engines seems doing fine on this. In fact, CX-5 SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel sold elsewhere may have oil raising issue... (whistle)
 
I know legend and lore says to change your oil and filter every 5000 miles, but does anyone have any objective evidence that doing so increases the life of the engine versus using the factory recommended interval, which is 7500 miles for my US '16. A Consumer's Report test many years ago suggested no benefit from more frequent changes, though engines and oil have changed a lot since I saw that report.
 
For all of my cars, my oci are done between 7-7.5k. For our 16 cx-5, I will be running Red Line 0w20 and the OEM filter.
 
I know legend and lore says to change your oil and filter every 5000 miles, but does anyone have any objective evidence that doing so increases the life of the engine versus using the factory recommended interval, which is 7500 miles for my US '16. A Consumer's Report test many years ago suggested no benefit from more frequent changes, though engines and oil have changed a lot since I saw that report.

I think it mainly depends on your environment as indicated in the car's manual. Consider that I currently live in the desert. There are temps of 110+ during some days in the summer with dust storms in the late summers here. Both are detrimental to my oil's ability to protect my engine. Hence I try to change my oil every 5000 miles. When I lived in San Diego where temps average perfect 77 degrees all year long I would change oil every 7000 miles. All approved Syn oils these days are good but environmental conditions need to be accounted for.
 
I know legend and lore says to change your oil and filter every 5000 miles, but does anyone have any objective evidence that doing so increases the life of the engine versus using the factory recommended interval, which is 7500 miles for my US '16. A Consumer's Report test many years ago suggested no benefit from more frequent changes, though engines and oil have changed a lot since I saw that report.

The manual actually has two service schedules. One says to change the oil every 5000mi, schedule 2. It has to do with the conditions in which the car is driven. In Wisconsin and the cold, it's schedule 2 for me, I suspect the same for those living where its very hot for a good portion of the year
 

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