Dealer won't use synthetic oil - 2022 CX-5 Turbo

[sm1ke]

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Most car dealerships are privately owned entities, not owned by the car manufacturers themselves. That means that they (dealerships) can do whatever they want, as long as it doesn't breach whatever agreement they have with the manufacturer, and as long as it doesn't hurt or misrepresent the brand. So, the dealership can recommend a better oil, in order to offer a "premium" oil change that they can charge a bit more for. However, Mazda, as a brand, still does not require full synthetic oil for the 2.5T engine, and Mazda as a brand, has not released any TSBs or special service campaigns to advise owners to use full synthetic.

IMO, everyone should be using full synthetic if it's available to them. The cost difference between conventional and full synthetic is negligible, but the benefits are clear. Regardless of Mazda choosing not to recommend full synthetic for the 2.5T, I'll still use it for every oil change.

 

[RobertJT]

You are correct. I emailed my contact in Irvine Ca Mazda America. Mazda does not take a position on synthetic or non synthetic. They only specify SAE and API certified oil. I also use only full synthetic.

 

[SparkYellow]

Just want to add that my very old Mazda uses conventional oil 20w50 or 10w40. Castrol GTX is most popular. I have also ordered Amazon Basics 20w50 in the past. For my application, I add Lucas oil stabilizer to make it even thicker. Have you seen oil that comes out of the bottle like honey?

The Castrol website shows 5w20 and 5w30 in their GTX conventional oil lineup.

 

[leeharvey418]

I like to run hypoid gear lube in my crankcase, just to be safe.

 

[7eregrine]

These small displacement 4 cyl turbo engines, putting out over 200 HP, need fresh oil more often than you think. The tolerances are much tighter to begin with, so any kind of contaminants or sludge can destroy them. Then there's the turbo of course, which needs good clean oil. Lastly is the matter of the direct injection technology that's used now. It is a known problem that these engines all suffer from oil dilution to some degree.

My 330 hp supercharged, turbo charged engine does not suffer oil dilution to any noticeable degree.

 

[murky]

So far I've been kind of amazed at my dealer's behavior with regard to oil changes. I have the NA engine in my '23 CX-5 and when it came time for the first (free) service they agreed to use Mazda hi-moly synthetic oil, which I have always used in all my Mazdas with SkyActiv engines (3 to date). I told them to put the empties in the boot to verify they had complied, which they did. A couple of weeks ago the same dealer's service department called with an $99 service offer, which the car is just about in need of. I asked if that included the hi-moly oil and she said that their records showed that they had used it for the first service, so they would continue that at the promo price. She even stated that, in writing, in a confirming email. Considering I pay $87 from an online vendor for 5 qts of this oil and a Mazda filter for my Mazda 3 (which I service myself), I figured that was a pretty sweet deal!

One of the 4 or 5 times I visited the Mazda dealer with my 2018 CX-5, I can't remember what the visit was for but not an oil service, they told me that the oil level was too high and they removed some.

Days later I got an oil light on my dash. I checked the oil level and it was low. I filled it the correct level and never had another issue. They probably measured the level immediately after shutting off the engine or somethign.

Moral of the story is, I don't trust the dealer to do the oil change properly. Its much less expensive, takes less time, and is more convenient for me to change it myself. Plus I can use better materials and know the condition it was left in and if there was anything unusual to take note of.

 

[RobertJT]

I have three cars. I use 5W30 in all three. Full synthetic. Synthetic is not much more expensive than conventional. Worth the extra price.

 

[7eregrine]

and is more convenient for me to change it myself.

I stopped changing my own oil because it's more convenient to have my Indy do it. I drive somewhere. I wait an hour. I work while I wait. Done.
Instead of buying parts, crawling around on the cement, dealing with hot oil , and hope you don't spill any on the driveway!!!
... and then my favorite part: disposing of said oil.

So while I agree with you on principle...I don't agree it's specifically more convenient.
LOL

 

[RobertJT]

My problem is I don't trust the dealers and repair shops to put in my preferred 5W30 oil. They will tell you what ever you want to hear and then put whatever they have on hand.

 

[murky]

I stopped changing my own oil because it's more convenient to have my Indy do it. I drive somewhere. I wait an hour. I work while I wait. Done.
Instead of buying parts, crawling around on the cement, dealing with hot oil , and hope you don't spill any on the driveway!!!
... and then my favorite part: disposing of said oil.

So while I agree with you on principle...I don't agree it's specifically more convenient.
LOL

I do it in the garage where I normally park. I have a Fumoto valve and I don't use ramps or jack. The oil goes in a polypropylene milk jug and is set out with the recycling. Oil and filter together is about $30 bought when the price is good and stored in the garage. I put wing heads on the 2 screws to make them thumb screws so the only tool needed in the process is a flathead or pliers to pull the 2 pin clips for the cover. I can loosen the oil filter with my nitrile-gloved hand, but if not I have strap wrenches in the garage.

I only change the oil about once per year, so the hardest part is remembering to have everything in place and the sequence so I only have to crawl under once, or twice if I want to check for leaks before replacing the access cover.

Dealer requires an advance appointment during business ours. Wait to check in, wait to get started, 20+ minute drive each direction, list of dubious "needs" at ridiculous prices, etc.

I don't have a trusted Indy shop or mechanic. That would be nice. At least I could send family members to them and such.

 

[N7turbo]

If you keep oil for long periods, make sure to shake it up from time to time as the additives settle to the bottom. Once they form a sludge it's hard to get it mixed again.