Flexible oil change schedule

[ALafya]

At least for 2015 Mazda 3 the manual says I can either have "fixed schedule" of normal (7.5K/6 months) or "severe conditions" schedule of (5K / 4 months). However, if you qualify for normal schedule, you can also choose a 3rd option: "Flexible schedule" where the car will tell you if you need to change the oil. This needs to be set in the maintenance app/oil-change. With this option, the interval is decided depending on your actual driving but can go as long as 10K / 1 year.
Our car came with the maintenance app set to fixed / off.

Has anyone been using Flexible schedule? What was your actual interval?
Do you have anything else to say about it?

 

[concept]

If "Flexible schedule" relies upon an algorithm that receives inputs such as driving duration, oil temperature, average engine rpm, etc, then that, in my opinion is what everyone should use. I haven't been using this setting, but may switch to it, just after my first oil change (at about 5000 miles).
My 01 Corvette had an oil life algorithm that was always active. I changed that car's oil, every 12 months (about 5000 miles). At that time, the "Oil life remaining" display showed 20% or so. My general rules are:

Low accumulated miles but sufficient DPD (Distance Per Drive) of 10 miles or more = Change oil per accumulated mileage or once per year, whichever occurs, first (My cars fall into this category.)

High accumulated miles and sufficient DPD = Change oil by accumulated mileage

Low accumulated miles and insufficient DPD = Change by accumulated time (months)

Dry, dusty environment = Change oil at shorter intervals

Frequent, heavy rain = Change oil at shorter intervals

 

[GrasshopperCO]

I didn't notice that before...I'll have to try it out after my first oil change.

 

[BrianM3GS]

If "Flexible schedule" relies upon an algorithm that receives inputs such as driving duration, oil temperature, average engine rpm, etc, then that, in my opinion is what everyone should use.

I agree. I would use this option if it were available for my model/year.

 

[Bruns]

I just change it every 6 months or 5,000 kilometres, regardless.
That's about the time the spanner light comes on anyway


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