Should I start using Synthetic Oil, Mobil 1?

I

icpeanuts

Member
Should I start using Synthetic Oil such as Mobil 1, I heard great things about that engine oil, but many said it should be use in older car. I have a brand new Mazda 5

What is the different is cost for the Oil change regular vs Synthetic, how much a typical Synthetic Oil and Filter change cost?

If I do it myself, how many bottles of Engine oil should I roughly use?

Thanks
 
I have 18,000 miles on my '09 and have tried several synthetics already. Mobil 1 is not what it used to be. I notice with conventional oils and Mobil 1 that I can hear just more mechanical noise over 3,000 miles on the oil. The oil looks decent, but I can just hear it more from the cabin. I recently tried Valvoline Syn 5w-20 and the oil has about 6,000 miles on it, looks really clean, and has kept the engine very quiet. I'm changing it this weekend just because the mileage is getting up there on the oil. It's probably not even in need of a change to be honest. I'm using Valvoline Syn again. It's also been really good stuff in my Focus. Both cars' oil looks like Mobil 1 with half the mileage on it.
 
Thanks for the response. I will do some reading. Are you changing the engine oil yourself or at a service station? How much did it cost you?

I will go with the Valvoline Synthetic. The engines change is 6000 miles, that means lasts twice as long, less visit to the service center. Even if it cost twice as much, it is basically the same cost and better for the engine.
 
Hey there! Qt. for qt. the synthetics are usually around double the cost of conventional oil.

If you are going to be changing the oil every 3-5k, then the benefits of synthetics are a bit wasted in my opinion. Now if you are intending on going 5-10k, then synthetics would be a good investment. However the math works out the same. (2cents)
 
does mazda (and mazda dealers) use ford synthetic blend? i thought that ford branded motor oil is a synthetic blend, but i could be wrong. i get free oil changes at my dealership, so i'm curious now...
 
mazdadude said:
Hey there! Qt. for qt. the synthetics are usually around double the cost of conventional oil.

If you are going to be changing the oil every 3-5k, then the benefits of synthetics are a bit wasted in my opinion. Now if you are intending on going 5-10k, then synthetics would be a good investment. However the math works out the same. (2cents)
Click to expand...

Can you use synthetics oil for 5 to 10k miles? would it hurt the engine? what are the downside of using synthetics for that long length?
 
oil discussions are a slippery slope. there are so many virulent opinions on the matter it's hard to reach any kind of consensus for the novice, or so-called professional for that matter.
so here's my opinion: while under warranty, I'm sticking to a 5K change interval w/ conventional oil. that's a 3-4 month interval for me. no need to spend the extra coin on synthetic (their main advantage is less breakdown allowing for longer change intervals while 'maybe' saving money by doing so).
 
icpeanuts said:
Thanks for the response. I will do some reading. Are you changing the engine oil yourself or at a service station? How much did it cost you?

I will go with the Valvoline Synthetic. The engines change is 6000 miles, that means lasts twice as long, less visit to the service center. Even if it cost twice as much, it is basically the same cost and better for the engine.
Click to expand...

It costs about $40 and I do it myself. I agree with others that there are many many opinions and very little science to the opinions when it comes to oil. YOu can submit used oil to analysis providers to see just how your oil is doing. I think Blackstone is a popular company. I personally do not like conventionals regardless of change interval. They break down at high temperatures more than synthetics. I don't have any proof whatsoever that this issue will translate to conventional oil decreasing engine life.

If you can afford it, get synthetics and test the oil if you really want to answer your own questions about it. Then come back and tell us what happens of course. :)
 
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It would be interesting to read what the oil change interval and oil recommendations are for the Mazda engines in other parts of the world.

mpvue, checking the manual I see an recommended oil change interval of 7500 miles for normal duty and calling for an SAE oil of weight 5w20, so you could save a few more coins. But you are right, oil changes is one of those topics that people seem to get quite argumentative about, I blame it on my European roots ;)
 
I used Mobil1 in my other vehicle since 20k miles. By 100k I had hydraulic lifter tap like nobody's business. I then switched to Walmart's Supertech and ran that for another 100k with little to no noise. When an oil change is due is the only time my lifters make noise now - right at 5k (not in the Mazda BTW).

I just shop the ads and stick to synthetic because of peace of mind if anything. I'm ok spending $20 to change my own oil with synthetic. O'Reilly ran a special a couple months back of 5 quarts of their house brand (all the certifications) and Mobil1 filter for $18. Picked up 20 quarts. Can't beat deals like that. I'm not partial anymore.

The manual describes extreme conditions which I follow as a 5k interval. Hot, Humid, Dusty - we live on a dirt road.
 
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Yeah, I forgot to mention to the OP, you have to have the starburst symbol on the oil bottle to keep the warranty people at Mazda happy. That symbol indicates API Certification. Make sure it's certified, not just specified. Big difference.

http://www.api.org/aboutoilgas/motoroil/

You have to have a bottle with the "Certified" starburst symbol. FWIW, my favorite oil is Redline 5W-20, but it's only specified, not certified, and thus will technically void the warranty. The day the warranty is up I will switch to Redline for good.
 
Last edited:
Phoenix42 said:
It would be interesting to read what the oil change interval and oil recommendations are for the Mazda engines in other parts of the world.

mpvue, checking the manual I see an recommended oil change interval of 7500 miles for normal duty and calling for an SAE oil of weight 5w20, so you could save a few more coins. But you are right, oil changes is one of those topics that people seem to get quite argumentative about, I blame it on my European roots ;)
Click to expand...

read carefully what they call 'normal' and 'severe'. the severe rating is actually closer to normal for lots of people; idling, stop and go, short trips, etc. it's our only car so it sees lots of different kinds of use.
 
Synthetic Blend

When I purchased my "5" in January '09 I asked the service writers if I could use Synthetic oil in mynew Mazda. They all said "NO", then when I had them
change the oil, they used synthetic blend. Go figure.

When they initially said don't use synthetic, I asked why. They all said the
engine was not set up for synthetic. I figured they didn't know what they were
talking about. This was confirmed when they used synthetic blend when they
changed the oil.

Living here in the desert southwest as I do, I'm for sure not going to go 5K miles between oil changes on regular oil.
 
Whatever your choice of oil (syn or con), change it and the filter at least every 5000 miles. The 2.3 is fairly high revving with a fairly light grade of oil, and would not stand up to either low levels or dirt. Changing twice a year or every 5K, whichever's first, is cheap insurance IMO.

I have often found synthetic priced below 20.00 for 4.5 litres (Valvoline and Castrol) so I stock up when its on sale.
 
I use the Motorcraft 5W-20 available at Wal Mart in the 5 quart jug, it costs $11 or so. I replace the oil every 5,000 miles, the filter every other change. 115,000 miles and still going strong.

BTW, forget the book, an oil change will use exactly 4 quarts whether you change the filter or not.
 
Rocket said:
I use the Motorcraft 5W-20 available at Wal Mart in the 5 quart jug, it costs $11 or so. I replace the oil every 5,000 miles, the filter every other change. 115,000 miles and still going strong.

BTW, forget the book, an oil change will use exactly 4 quarts whether you change the filter or not.
Click to expand...

Um, what? LOL
 
I put 4.5 quarts like the manual says and it's always dead on. If you don't change the filter it will take considerably less.
 
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