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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair
4533 messages, Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 6:27 PM
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Mar 05, 2009 11:58 am)  The only time "cold" really affects anything is when you're starting and stopping an engine without ever really warming it up. As evidence of this, I turn to a study regarding oil temperatures of light aircraft that routinely flew on a year-round basis with the same oil. It was found that there was only about a ten degree temperature swing from the oil when a plane was flying in warm weather to the oil in that same engine when the plane was at 10,000 feet while flying over Minnesota on a sub-zero day in January. What all of this says to me is that the only thing "cold weather" really means is that in the winter months, you need to drive your car further each time you drive it to make sure the oil gets hot enough to make sure the oil boils off any water that has condensed into it. Best regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Mar 05, 2009 12:55 pm) Just like we know that salt on the road has no imact on oil in the engine, yet Mazda says "salt = Sch 2".
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Mar 05, 2009 2:04 pm) FWIW, I don't do UOAs for that reason; however, it's nice to know that they can be used in case of a disagreement.  Best regards, Shipo
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Note that the 7/10/08 sample included three track days. 
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Replying to: shipo (Mar 05, 2009 4:14 pm) I figured $25-30 for one extra oil change per year was not a big deal. Plus I got my first 3 changes for free and I am now expecting to get another free one in exchange for my kid test driving a mazda3. Also every oil change gets me a free car wash, as long as it is not too cold at the time. BTW, when my car was new I had emailed Mazda about this issue, I sent them these questions: Can you please clarify some of the terms and conditions that are used to describe conditions under which maintenace schedule 2 applies? What is considered short-distance driving? Why does driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used mean that a shorter oil change interval is required? What specific temperature range qualifies as "cold"? Their answer was: Since our office is not technically trained, I can only stand behind what our owners manual states. Short distance driving is many city stops. Cold weather, daily temperatures under 40 degrees has an influence on types of lubricants used. If you have any further questions regarding maintinance or terms and conditions, I have listed a Mazda dealership which there service department can help assist you. |
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Another email exchange I had went like this: Me: Can you explain why there is such a big difference in maintenance schedules for the very same 2.3L engine depending on whether it is in the Mazda 6 or the Ford Fusion? According to Ford, my driving would be "normal" this would mean changing oil every 7500 miles. Even the Ford severe schedule is 6 months/5000 miles. Meanwhile with the Mazda6, I am told to follow schedule 2 which means a 4 month interval for oil changes. Mazda: I apologize for any confusion you have experienced. I cannot advise you on a Ford Schedule Maintenance Guide. However, I can advise that Mazda North American Operations strongly recommends following the guidelines presented to you in the Mazda6 owner's manual. These intervals were presented this way based on testing performed by Mazda engineers. |
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I have a 2006 Mazda 3s. It has 42k with the 2.3 and a manual transmission. I use only Mobil 1 synthetic oil. You are quoting the manual for the service intervals. My manual only states using 5w-20. Is there a reason you are using 5w-30? Will the oil have any trouble with the tight tolerances? Thanks, Halser
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Replying to: halser (Mar 06, 2009 11:58 am) In my case I'm running 0W-30 in my 2009 Mazda3 i Touring (with the 2.0 liter engine) 5-Speed, and like your 2.3, the physical engine block, crank, pistons, heads and valve assemblies are identical to the ones sold in European Mazdas, and those engines call for 5W-30. For the U.S. market, the reason 5W-20 is recommended has nothing what-so-ever to do with tight tolerances and everything to do with getting the best fuel economy numbers. Best regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Mar 06, 2009 12:17 pm) 
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2004 with 53K miles Power steering unit decided to function intermittently last year. Now it is completely dead. The dealer wants an arm and a leg and my first born child to replace it. Has anyone else been through the diagnosis and replacement of this unit? Any tips? Do you have to reset the computer after replacement? THANKS!
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