SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

[AL Cx5]

Mr Speed Jr says the same thing. Shorter intervals = better.

I had seen those videos before and on the sludge issue, they had speculated that the wrong spec engine oil may have been used in the past.

In light/medium diesel engines running dpf’s it is particularly important to run a low/medium SAPS rated oil and sludging like in the video is one of the side effects if you dont.

I'm all for maintaining my cars.

I'm going to follow Mazda's oil grade and change intervals and document them.

I see no evidence to change oil/filters more often for the environment it operates. There is evidence these engines run well over 200k mi without any specific brand or type of oil. If it's SAE spec, it will work.

I see no evidence that fuel diluting the engine is the cause for premature wear or failures. This has been an educational exercise for me. This is my first DFI gas burner.

I'm willing to spend a few extra $$ on quality air and oil filters, more to satisfy my OCD tendency. We don't beat on this car or live on a dusty/dirt road. I'm confident by following the above the engine will last as long as we own this car. I would adjust fluid change intervals based on environment and driving habits.

 

[Fadkar]

Last 3k miles were mostly short trips (under 5 miles) so I was curious to see how the oil held up. Looks like it did just fine (2017 NA, California climate, Pennzoil ultra plat 5w30).

Question- if I only drive 3k miles every 6 months, is it safe to wait a few extra months to get closer to 5k miles? Not sure if the fuel in the oil would cause any issues if I went an extra 4 months on it.

 

[badanth]

You could change oil once per year and still be fine with that mileage.

 

[AL Cx5]

Last 3k miles were mostly short trips (under 5 miles) so I was curious to see how the oil held up. Looks like it did just fine (2017 NA, California climate, Pennzoil ultra plat 5w30).

Question- if I only drive 3k miles every 6 months, is it safe to wait a few extra months to get closer to 5k miles? Not sure if the fuel in the oil would cause any issues if I went an extra 4 months on it.

If it were mine, I'd go 5k miles on oil changes, regardless of the time interval. Oil has an infinite shelf life. Your oil test confirms you engine is not wearing outside of the norm.

3k miles and time oil change intervals are recommended to keep the service guys busy.

Per post 721, these engines are not failing from fuel dilution.and routinely run past 200 k miles.

I'm directing my OCD energy into something that matters.

 

[Mazdiod2]

I went two years once during the Covid days..... very low mileage but I try to get it out on the highway for a decent cruise every few weeks.
I was looking at my oil change log I keep on the back cover of the manual and I usually changed a bit over 4000 miles.

 

[propflux01]

If you want try the Amsoil Extended XL (next one after the OE ). Viscosity drop is because of the fuel unfortunately but that is not that much problem at 5k changes. The engine didnt mind..

I have seen a Turbo 2022 for sale with around 100k miles. Oil changes every 5k by the dealer. These engines are good if treated correctly.

It’s going to get Mobil one ESP 0w-30 on its next change. Still going to keep the 5K intervals.

 

[sm1ke]

I went two years once during the Covid days..... very low mileage but I try to get it out on the highway for a decent cruise every few weeks.
I was looking at my oil change log I keep on the back cover of the manual and I usually changed a bit over 4000 miles.

I think this is a key point of information. Longer OCIs are not problematic by themselves, it has more to do with the way the car's being driven (or in this case, not being driven) and the climate/conditions it's being driven in.

Depending on the climate, if the car is doing short trips only, where the engine doesn't get a chance to get up to normal operating temperatures, moisture can build up in the engine and condensation can make it's way into other systems. If it's rarely driven, that moisture can build up, but if you take it for a decent cruise every once in a while, that helps to burn off the excess.

This is why manufacturers specify both a mileage and a time interval for oil changes, and provide different schedules to cover the majority of the use cases for the consumers. It's a CYA (Cover Your A**) thing for the manufacturers at the end of the day.

 

[Mazdiod2]

It’s going to get Mobil one ESP 0w-30 on its next change. Still going to keep the 5K intervals.

That's supposed to be really good stuff, some people might say too good for only 5k miles but I would keep your intervals if you think that is best.

If it's rarely driven, that moisture can build up, but if you take it for a decent cruise every once in a while, that helps to burn off the excess.

Lately I've been trying to use a oil pan heater to get a head start on getting the oil temp up. I remember reading years ago it could take 4-5 hours of highway cruising to get the oil at a high, stable temperature, although I bet modern cars have a way to accelerate this. Also, I'm sure that a big v8 with a 6qt sump would be different than a Mazda.

 

[N7turbo]

You could change oil once per year and still be fine with that mileage.

Absolutely. I do a yearly change in October at right around 5K miles.

 

[propflux01]

That's supposed to be really good stuff, some people might say too good for only 5k miles but I would keep your intervals if you think that is best.

Lately I've been trying to use an oil pan heater to get a head start on getting the oil temp up. I remember reading years ago it could take 4-5 hours of highway cruising to get the oil at a high, stable temperature, although I bet modern cars have a way to accelerate this. Also, I'm sure that a big v8 with a 6qt sump would be different than a Mazda.

Yrs, Ive heard the same. Going to find out in about 2 weeks. Got the jugs, and a Thailand Mazda filter waiting!

 

[Mazdiod2]

Absolutely. I do a yearly change in October at right around 5K miles.

I figure Halloween-Thanksgiving range is good, you get fresh oil for the winter ahead.

 

[N7turbo]

The best time is probably spring, to get max viscosity for the summer, and I'd be fine if fuel dilution lowered viscosity during the cold months, but I think the difference for me has to be pretty small, so I don't worry about it.

 

[sm1ke]

I change my oil twice a year, once in Sept/Oct before the winter, and once in April/May. That's usually when I'll swap out my winter/summer tire sets as well.

 

[Shortafoot]

I think this is a key point of information. Longer OCIs are not problematic by themselves, it has more to do with the way the car's being driven (or in this case, not being driven) and the climate/conditions it's being driven in.

Depending on the climate, if the car is doing short trips only, where the engine doesn't get a chance to get up to normal operating temperatures, moisture can build up in the engine and condensation can make it's way into other systems. If it's rarely driven, that moisture can build up, but if you take it for a decent cruise every once in a while, that helps to burn off the excess.

This is why manufacturers specify both a mileage and a time interval for oil changes, and provide different schedules to cover the majority of the use cases for the consumers. It's a CYA (Cover Your A**) thing for the manufacturers at the end of the day.

You are so correct. I just bought a 2016 and 2019 CX-5 for my daughter and wife. I am a proponent of longer OCI's in PORT INJECTED engines such as the ones I did own and presently drive. For folks like me who commute via the interstate with little stop and go traffic other than regular day to day traffic, I discovered that modern motor oils can EASILY GO 15,000 miles. Yep. I had a 2009 Ford Focus that I performed 12.5K,15K, 17.5K and a 20K miles OCI's up until 200K miles on the odometer. I then sold to my in-laws and they have put another 100K miles on it. My Scion XD has 188K on it and I average 15K OCI's on it as well and it is like new inside the valve cover.
I will stick to the Mazda recommended 7500 mile interval and will do UOA's to maybe stretch them a little. Glad to know that it appears that Mazda engineered a lot of the direct injection issues away that other makers suffer. My biggest fear was the fuel dilution and intake valve carbon build up but my research shows that even without port fuel injectors being added(like Ford, Toyota and Hyundai returned to their DI engines)the Skyactiv's don not seem to have these issues.

I will be running higher viscosity oils though. My first car I paid for was an '85 626 LX and have been a "Mazda Man" ever since. Glad to own two more!

 

[N7turbo]

I think longer OCIs for most of us who do stop and go driving only make sense with the updated GF-7 oils, which maintain their deposit and LSPI protection longer as the oil ages. And those things can't be easily measured in the used oil. At least not the usual analyses.

 

[jadmt]

I just looked at my records and I have changed oil 8 times in 35000 miles. seems like no matter how hard I try I just have a tough time with longer OCI's. I looked at my Jeep's records and 4X's in the first 8800 miles......good thing Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is always on sale at Amazon.....

 

[N7turbo]

good thing Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is always on sale at Amazon

I started buying it at Walmart. $30 and no risk of leaking jugs and a beat-up box.

 

[jadmt]

I started buying it at Walmart. $30 and no risk of leaking jugs and a beat-up box.

they have been coming well packaged inside a well padded box and inside that wrapped in plastic is the factory sealed boxes with fresh dates. I use both 5w30 and 0w20 and get 3 jugs for $71
my walmart does not carry Platinum plus for some reason.

 

[N7turbo]

I got 3 5 qt jugs thrown into an Amazon box with lots of extra room inside. Yeah. The box was stained from one of them leaking.

 

[jadmt]

I got 3 5 qt jugs thrown into an Amazon box with lots of extra room inside. Yeah. The box was stained from one of them leaking.

maybe enough people complained...as the Pennzoil box itself was in shrink wrap and factory glued shut. I should be good for a year or so between the 6 jugs...