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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair
4532 messages, Last post on Nov 16, 2009 at 2:06 PM
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Replying to: ru03j89 (Sep 16, 2007 1:42 pm) If you are going to use regular (conventional) motor oil, which should be fine if you change it regularly, it will be cheaper than synthetic oil, like Mobil 1. Synthetic oil doesn't break down as fast as regular oil and therefore you can safely go a little longer between changes. 5,000 miles or even 7,500 miles should be no problem - just check the level periodically, at least once a month, and make sure it doesn't get below the lower mark on the dipstick. And never add too much oil to bring it above the higher mark on the dipstick. Keep it right in between and you'll be fine. The difference between the low and high marks is roughly a quart, so if you do have to add some it will probably require less than a whole quart. This advice on checking oil applies to both the conventional and synthetic types. If you've never checked and added oil before and are unsure how to do it, have the dealer or an experienced driver show you how. For the first service it's probably a good idea to bring it in at the 3,750 mile mark just to make sure everything is functioning as it should. If you stay with conventional oil then you also may want to maintain the 3,750 mile interval from then on, and you should get many trouble free miles out of your car. Regular maintainance is cheap compared to letting things slide and having to pay for a major repair. Get familiar with what it says in your owners manual so you don't end up accepting unnecessary servicing things the dealer recommends - many of these are a waste of (your) money which the dealer profits from. Just have him do what is recommended in your owners manual so that your warranty stays in effect. Good luck! |
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Replying to: ru03j89 (Sep 16, 2007 1:42 pm) they told me to go back at 3750 mile?? also what is synthetic oil? sorry if my questions are really dumb. I am a new driver thanks Your questions for a new driver are very normal and you have to learn sometime. Keep in mind that car dealers do not always do what is best for your car. Even worse the ones doing free maintainance. Yes you need to follow their requirements for the sake of the warranty but let's say you live in a city with a ton of traffic and pollution, lots of stop and go traffic, or you haul a lot of stuff all the time. You are far better off to change your oil more frequently because those conditions are harsh on your engine. What I would suggest is that you use Dino oil (regular oil) and change your oil at 1,000 miles. Then change it next when the dealer says to, then every 3,000 miles with Dino oil. After 10,000 miles or so the engine is mostly broken in and you can run synthetic oil. Synthetic oils will help the engine last longer. I use regular oil but change it out every 3,000 miles. I'm well out of warranty now and no drama with the engine at all. Honda has a thing where you can go 10,000 miles on the oil, well that's nice..... but unless it's synthetic oil in easy driving I'd get it changed as I do now. Your warranty is not going to be voided because you change your oil more often. It's cheap insurance. How long do you want to own your car? If a long time, change the oil and filter. |
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Replying to: ru03j89 (Sep 16, 2007 1:42 pm) No, but it's what Mazda calls for. Basically, they want you to change the oil, rotate the tires and inspect the car at 5000 mile intervals. they told me to go back at 3750 mile?? It wouldn't hurt to do do that for the first oil change; after that anything other than 5000 mile changes is overkill- unless all your driving involves short trips of less than 10 miles. also what is synthetic oil? Synthetic oil is oil that is artificially made rather than refined from crude oil. Synthetic motor oil can provide improved protection to engine parts and allow longer oil change intervals, depending on the vehicle and the operating conditions. In your situation I suspect synthetic oil is not needed and I would simply use a good conventional oil and change it at 5000 mile intervals. sorry if my questions are really dumb. I am a new driver Your questions aren't dumb; how else are you supposed to learn? Let me know if you have any more questions. |
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Replying to: chavis10 (Aug 13, 2007 8:26 pm) Help....
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| The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule | |
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Replying to: roadburner (Sep 14, 2007 11:52 am)
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Replying to: eoghan1 (Sep 25, 2007 6:17 pm) |
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I am hoping that there is someone that can give me some intelligent advice. I bought a used 2004 Mazda 3 with 29,000 miles a year and 5 months ago from a local dealership. It now has close to 65,000 miles on it. While driving to work last week, I heard a loud pinging noise coming from the engine. That night I had it towed to a local repair shop. They told me that, at the least, it needs a new crank shaft ($1500)and possibly a new engine for $6800. I did not buy the extended warranty due to the advice of the two men that were with me when I bought the car. This is the 15th vehicle I have had in my life, and I have never ever had to do any kind of major repairs like this to any of them, some well over 200,000 miles. So I am just not understanding how this is possible. (And No, I did not run it out of oil!!)  I have never owned another Mazda before, so I am unaware of their history and reputation in most categories. Other than this event, I love this car. Does anyone have any advice or similar experiences? PLEASE HELP!!
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Replying to: inwilddreams (Sep 26, 2007 6:21 pm) Did your first advisor scan the car? Mazda3 is a continuation of the Mazda Protege line which has had a long reputable history. |
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Replying to: inwilddreams (Sep 26, 2007 6:21 pm) Good luck! and Zoom-Zoom. I love my Mazda3 it's the best car i owned!!! |
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