Hello. I used to own a 2019 CX-5 GT non-turbo and synthetic 0W-30 was the recommended oil. I’m at the dealership for oil/filter change of my wife’s GTR. The service advisor conventional oil is recommended 5W 20 (or 5W-30 I’m not sure of the numbers).

What is it really?

Thanks in advance.

 

The recommended oil for the 2.5L engine is SAE 0W-20 GF-5 with Moly (Mazda oil). This is the oil I have always used in my 2014 CX-5 Touring since it was new.

 

manual recommends 5W30 for the turbo engine and 0W20 for the non-turbo, and does not say conventional or synthetic ....
Personally, I can't imagine why anyone would not use synthetic

 

I have two 2019 CX-5 GTR. I drive the Sonic Silver Metallic and my wife a Soul Red Crystal Metallic. When I brought these two to the dealer for their respective first oil/filter change, the dealer service used 5W-30 synthetic Castrol, it showed on the respective work order This morning I took my wife’s CX-5 for its second oil/filter change, the service adviser told me that Mazda recommends 5W-30 conventional oil and the work order showed i, plus windshield sticker for next service shows 3,500 miles added to the current odometer reading. I think Mazda is hiding something again with regards to the CX-5 engine! Why the change from synthetic to conventional for turbos? I called the service manager of the dealer where I bought my Silver, he said the same thing - conventional for CX-5 turbo but he also said if it is his car he would use synthetic.

I know, in the manual it doesn’t say synthetic or conventional but most new engines nowadays, synthetic is the best for performance and longevity. I checked my VIN for any recall but none!

Any Mazda insider in this forum who have knowledge of why all of a sudden Mazda doesn’t want their service department fill the turbo with synthetic oil?

 

Oil recommendation can created "HEATED" debates on forum of all platforms.

Here is my personal thought....
I also frequently have my oils, i.e. engine ,axle and transmission analyzed.

The key word is RECOMMENDATION.

I have a few friends that work as Power-train Engineers in a 3 different vehicle manufacturing companies. They have all told me that the choice of recommend oil is mostly what the negotiated bean counters have done with the supping motor oil companies and less for actual tested oils on engine during their development stages. They are all of their opinion that oil used in any engine should be depended on the use of the vehicle and it geological operating location. In other words to use the charts supplied by your choice of branded oil to determine what oil is best to be used in your engine.

You can also check the complete WARRANTY information and/or contact the MAZDA Warranty Department for complete details explaining that you can choose the oil you want unless the warranty specifically REQUIRES a specific use of oil your warranty will not be negatively effected should an engine problem arise. It is outlined that the most important thing is to keep good records of the recommend and required service intervals.

I do recommend with anyone that has TURBOCHARGED engine is to use common sence if driving spiritedly, Simply put allow for some normal low engine speed (rpm) none boosted driving to cool down the engine,engine oil and the Turbocharger before turning off the engine. And change your oil and oil filter more frequently then the "recommendation" .

 

I will keep this in mind. Thank you. BTW, this is my first turbocharged vehicle. I've been driving it normally and, comparing to the non-turbo 2019 CX-5 I owned previous to this, I don't see a difference in how the engine sounds. The difference is what I feel when I step on the gas to accelerate to pass on the highway or to merge from an on-ramp - the non-turbo thinks for about a second to respond to my push of the accelerator whereas the turbo responds immediately. On long inclines in Missouri, Arizona, etc. I don't have to shift down (I cruise in Manual mode) to negotiate the climb, in the turbo, and, it has plenty of power to accelerate some more, if needed, to pass slow 6-cylinder RAV4's.

 

I think I need to add that this "Mazda oil" developed for Mazda by Castrol, is rated/stated "Full Synthetic". According to a Mechanic at the dealership, it's a major factor in the "Skyactive engines fuel efficiency rating". On our cross country trips on the Interstate highway system, I have tested this against other cars I have owned. At 55 mph, the CX-5 achieves 37-38 MPG which is fantastic! At 70 mph, this drops to 32-33 which is still great. I attribute this to the engine design and this light, synthetic, suspended Molybdenum lubrication. I wouldn't think a turbochargers lubrication would alter this spec so radically.
My VW GTI turbo uses 5W-40 VW-502/505 spec synthetic oil but a lot of guys run 0W-30 and 5W-30 oils in colder climates without issues.

 

FWIW, for my non-turbo 2018 CX-5, I have a 5-year Mazda service plan. I checked all last four oil changes and all are showing as fully-synthetic oil in the receipt.

 

I can see where this thread is starting to head. OLD SCHOOL DIY information is not the best idea when you are talking about motor oils for any vehicle manufactured from about 2005 and newer. If you want to get the best information and not from "that guy" or "the mechanic" what one supplier cleverly words and commercializes their product line or even a dealership go to the API website and read everything. There is also a little known by most unless you are in the business a Federal Government Data specification and performance sheet that is required for any motor oil to be sold in the US or used in vehicle marketed for the US must submit. Once you read this information I am sure your first though is why the service intervals of motor oil suggested by the manufactures like MAZDA are so high?

IMHO think after just one sample tested you will start to invest in your engines health by changing the oil a bit more frequently and also reconsider what the best motor-oil and viscosity to use in the are you most drive your car?

I have used Blackstone labs for decades to gain the "TRUTH" about what is going on with Motor oil and transmission oils through sample analysis.
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/?ses...jwh45%29%29%2F
When I purchased my 2018 MAZDA 3 I changed the oil and filter out at 500 miles and there was a lot more then just motor oil in the pan. I then did several follow up sample checks at 3000 mile intervals. It took almost 4 oil and filter changes before all the normal new engine "stuff" was no longer showing in the oil analysis as well any detection of metal that is normal for ALL new engines during break in periods. Yes metal, trust me its in your engine as well until the engine has worn in and you change the oil and filter at least once after that wear in period which can be up to 15K miles.

30 bucks is a great investment to see what is actually going on in your oil pan!!
Sometimes they give personal comments or suggestion based on your personal sample information. There has been times they have suggested instead of 3000 miles to go 5000. But I have never gotten one that I posted the last recorded oil change of 9000 miles (newly purchased used car) that they thought the oil was good for another 6k miles. LOL
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/?ses...jwh45%29%29%2F