My 2015 CX-5, 2.0L 6M/T is using / losing nearly a quart of oil in 3000 miles. I have black deposits around each tailpipe that make it look like I'm running a diesel. My local dealer thinks this is 'within normal limits' for oil usage. I totally disagree. An independent mechanic suspects a flaw in the emissions control system (PCV valve?) that is letting vaporized oil droplets be sucked into the exhaust instead of being recirculated. The car only has 17,500 miles and is still under warranty so I want to convince the dealer to address the problem before turning to the independent. Anyone have this problem . . . or a suggested answer?
CX-5 excessive oil use
- Thread starter usmc6990
- Start date
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
1) PCV could be the issue.
2) If you do a lot of engine-braking, 1 quart per 3K miles is something I would be okay with, presuming you flog it from time to time.
3) No-matter how you drive it, the cut-off for a warranty claim is usually 1quart/1K miles, for most manufacturers. 1 quart/1500 miles would be an exception and not the rule.
4) What oil are you using? OIL MATTERS! I've played this game before in engines with low tension oil rings and aggressive PCV systems. Even using same weight on the bottle, different brand, massive differences can be noted.
5) All tail pipes get black on them. It's probably because the engine runs rich as a pig when you cold crank it every day as much as anything else.
Try a different brand. I got better oil mileage with Pennzoil Platinum or Mobile 1 than with the Mazda Moly. Although 1 quart in 3k miles does seem excessive compared to what most people are getting here. No chance of it leaking out anywhere?
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
Prolly see a quart in the drive-way, I'd think...if not, at least slicked back on the underbody. 1 quart per 3K really isn't bad to be honest. I know it sound bad, and is not desirable, but it's really not "bad", and it won't get OP a new motor.
My wife (aged 62!) is the normal driver and she drives 'like a little old lady'. Virtually no engine braking and no flogging, ever! It's only had Mazda 0-20 factory oil installed by the dealer - to which I have taken it out of an abundance of caution during the warranty period to make sure there is no question about the quality of service if there is ever a warranty claim. Also, very little cold cranking: car is normally used 2 or 3 times a week, started once to make a 6 mile trip and once to come home. Twice a month it goes out on a 100 mile round trip at highway speeds. The black tailpipes bother me because the pipes on my 2010 Civic 1.8L and 2011 F-150 3.7L are clean enough to eat off of - all running same gas.
Thanks!
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- 2014 QX70 AWD
yeah, as uno stated the engine runs rich on a cold start to help heat up the catalytic converters. we all have black soot on the tips.
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
I would urge you to try Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy or whatever it's called. Penzoil Platinum is also a good oil, as is the PP Ultra Platinum
Unless you modified it, the CX-5 will engine brake by itself. It has a tendency, set Cruise and observe on downhill. I dont know if its a good thing in the long run, I engine brake as well, pull it upto 3rd sooner and then swap back to D. No scientific reason but I think it saves me gas. Lol.
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- Denver, CO
This. Just looked at mine the other day.
Negative on the leak - car parks in exact same spot - marked by a brick! - in the driveway and I have not found a single leaked drop. That would have been too easy!! I was planning on switching to Castrol Syntech or Castrol GTX Magnatech once warranty expires. Any thoughts on Castrol?
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
The Magnatech seems to be getting good reviews from Ecoboost Ford owners on the BITOG forum. Really, it's hard to find a crappy top-shelf synthetic now days.
paging_drburgos
Member
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- 2017 Mazda CX5 GT - Premium
Maybe your car was an RX-8 in it's former life?
There're plastic panels under the engine which would catch it first, you wouldn't necessarily have to see it on the drive way....
It's a little unusual for the skyactiv to burn any oil. If anything, everyone (mostly in cold places) complains about their oil rising due to fuel dilution.
The somewhat black tailpipes (within reason) are normal. The engine is direct injection and it produces more soot (especially on cold start) than older gasoline engines.
Your driving habits sounds fine.. but maybe you should flog it once in a while!
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- Plano, Texas, USA
Castrol Edge, not Syntech (replaced by Edge) or GTX (not a full synthetic oil), is an excellent oil and also recommended by Mazda. I suggest you asking your Mazda dealer and find out what kind of oil they actually use. Mazda dealers don't use Mazda moly oil and they'll use the cheapest bulk oil they can find.
Unobtanium has said it all. 3,000 miles per quart is not going to get any attention from Mazda dealer or even Mazda North American Operations. The guide line is 1,000 miles per quart. My 2001.5 VW Passat 2.8L V6 is burning a quart of oil for 700~1,000 miles since new. I fought with VWoA for engine repair to no avail. I guess you're just unlucky to get an inferior SA-G 2.0L engine which is burning more oil than the most. Or it could be someone abused your CX-5 during the test-drive before you bought it. Like everybody else has said, try different 0W-20 full synthetic oil such as Castrol Edge and see. Try to use OEM oil filter too as the filter for our SA-G has different flow rate than the most.
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
"abuse" during test drives doesn't cause oil burning issues. It will seat the rings very well and mitigate that. What it DOES cause, can be bearing wear (cams, crank, etc.) as well as clutch wear (hotspots, etc.) and to a lesser extend wear on the differential and brakes and axle bearings, transmission shaft bearings, etc. basically EVERYTHING BUT the rings. I suppose in an EXTREME Case it could harm the rings, but that would be rather insane levels of abuse.
No significant change. It's a low mileage car and has been taken in on the 6 month interval schedule instead of on miles. Each service (total now of 5) has been around 3250 miles, plus/minus a few hundred. Dip stick consistently shows the level being down between 3/4 and 7/8 of a quart (ie., distance between the two holes on the stick).
I've found reading the dipstick to be really tricky. Also, the car comes with the fill level between 1/2 and 3/4 full (between the holes). Don't know if your dealer is filling to the top full mark.
However, if you've been able to confirm accurate readings, then it may just be that particular engine you ended up with. 3000 miles is still considered (by the mfr) to be within spec. Some engines just use a bit more. I've had my share of those.
However, if you've been able to confirm accurate readings, then it may just be that particular engine you ended up with. 3000 miles is still considered (by the mfr) to be within spec. Some engines just use a bit more. I've had my share of those.
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
My 2001 6 speed ls1 car used about 1 quart every 2500 with Mobil 1 5-30EP. Moved to 0-30 German Castrol, and it dropped to 3/4 per 4500mi. It stayed the same and was rock solid for 149k miles when I traded it in.
