First Oil Change surprise!

[MPTech]

We bought our new '13 CX-9 Touring at the beginning of July and drove it to Canada in August. Put 2,500 miles on it and REALLY enjoyed the trip and the car.
When we bought the car, the dealer offered a Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance, which includes 2 free oil changes the first year. They told me that should cover normal 5,000 mile service intervals.
I scheduled and took my car in this morning for it's first service @ 5,000 miles. As they were reviewing the services performed, I was notified that my vehicle / engine requires regular oil (not synthetic). I was a little upset, because I was told 5k and should have been 3k miles for recommended oil change. (I know, should have read the service manual. I also know that 5,000 is still perfectly acceptable). They informed that it would not void the warranty or anything, because the manual allows up to 7,500 miles, but I'm still a little upset.

and a question: Why is a 2013 vehicle requiring non-synthetic oil? I thought all manufacturers had gone synthetic years ago?? (they told me this was the only Mazda model that was not synthetic oil)

 

[jk240sx]

Mazda uses Castrol. dino Castrol oil is good for 7.5K max. bump up to synth. I get a rebate check from Castrol if i do service at mazda. rebates run from $7. to $20. every time i go to mazda for any service, castrol sends me a check. i was just in for a warranty issue and castrol send me a check for $20.00. Castrol is the good goods, been running it for 25 years. Nissan recs Castrol too.

 

[kornholio]

How is it that you get this type of deal. How much do you pay for an oil change. The dealer i go to uses mazda oil from the bottle. Is this rebate program apply to all mazda dealers or just where you are at.

 

[nsbio]

The dealer that I go to uses Mobile oil

 

[MPTech]

and a question: Why is a 2013 vehicle requiring non-synthetic oil? I thought all manufacturers had gone synthetic years ago?? (they told me this was the only Mazda model that was not synthetic oil)

Can we get this post back-on-track: Why does the CX-9 require traditional (dino) oil?

btw: my dealer used Valvoline

 

[kornholio]

Isn't this a ford duratec engine? Does ford use synthetic in these engines in their cars? If not that is probably the reason why mazda uses dino oil.

 

[cpb406]

Does the 2013 owner's manual state synthetic is not acceptable? The 2012 requires API Performance Level SM designation which Mobil 1 has. I use it. Neither the 2012 owner's nor workshop manual make a statement about using synthetic oil.

 

[ceric]

The manual does not "Require non-synthetic oil".
It does not require synthetic either.
Mazda does not care whether you use synthetic or not.
Mazda, however, might have problem with you if you prolong the interval to 10K with synthetic.
If you want to do that, wait until your powertrain warranty expires.

In short, you can use synthetic, but you need to keep the change interval.

 

[Veilside1]

It appears misinformation is rampant on this topic as evidenced by some of the posts. Hopefully i can clear some of it up.

First, the owners manual Oil Recommendations are simply an SAE grade ( 5w-20 ), an API service designation ( SM ), and an ILSAC designation ( GF-4/GF-5 ). There is no mention of any specific requirement for conventional oil ( refined dino juice ), or synthetic ( highly refined dino juice ). One may choose to use either, but the service intervals do not change.

A few words on "synthetic" oil: when it first appeared on the market it truly was a notably different product than convention oils of the time. The base oils were higher quality and a higher proportion of PAO's and Esters were utilized ( these are the synthetic portions.) In the early 2000's the government, prompted by the oil companies, changed the definition of what could legally be marketed as synthetic oils. In essence, a manufacturer can use a more highly refined base oil with less impurities and call it synthetic. But it's still dino juice.

There are currently about 3 groups of motor oil:
Group 3 = dino juice.
Group 4 = more refined dino juice with less impurities and a better additive package.
Group 5 = same base oil as group 4, but the addition of those synthetic elements mentioned above, and the better additive package.

You'll notice this in the marketplace as below using popular brands, group 3,4,5:

Pennzoil Yellow Bottle, Pennzoil Platinum, Pennzoil Ultra.
Mobil Super, Mobil 1, Mobil 1 Extended Performance.
Castrol GTX, Castrol Edge with Syntec, Castrol Edge with Titanium.
Valvoline Conventional, Valvoline Durablend, Valvoline Synpower.

Yes there are a myriad other incarnations of brands, but those are the ones that readily come to mind. Of note, you'll also find high mileage oils on the shelves. These simply have a higher proportion of detergents to clean your oil passages. These aren't really a necessity unless you haven't done regular oil changes in the life of your engine so far, or if you've bought a used car with a questionable service history.

Getting back on topic. Every passenger car motor oil sold today dino or synthetic will meet the above specs required by Mazda. Of note also, these specs are backward compatible. The latest API service designation is SN, preceded by SM and SL. And the latest ILSAC energy conserving grade is GF-5.

There a few vehicles which specify the use of synthetic oil, and are filled as such from the factory. Most notably are the BMW M Models which require Castrol TWS 10w-60, made by Castrol for BMW.

Mazda does recommend 0w-20 oil for many of it's new Skyactive engines but only REQUIRES it if you want the best gas mileage. Of note here is what they are NOT directly saying. Because even though they don't require the 0w-20, this engine oil grade is only available in synthetic formulation.

 

[fife78]

The answer is simple economics. The dealer is not making any money off you on those Complimentary oil change services, but they still have to pay techs and buy filters and oil. Conventional oil is less expensive than synthetic, thereby cutting the dealer's costs. That's why you were "told" that your car requires conventional oil. Always RTM and use manufacturer recommended/approved products.