I plan to call my dealer and / or Mazda with this question, but first wanted to get some unbiased advice from fellow owners where there is no profit motive.

I have a 2019 CX5 GT AWD (187 hp 2.5L gasoline engine) purchased on 12/13/2018. I’m retired and put very little mileage on the vehicle – less than 70 miles per week suburban driving. Almost entirely very short trips, 3-5 miles each, 3 or 4 stoplights, 45 mph limit. By the 6-month point, I’ll probably have around 1,800 miles on the vehicle. Located in Central Virginia so some cold weather, but rarely extreme and only occasional use of salt on the roads. Never drive in dusty conditions.

I see in the User Guide that Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance is the default for the U.S. As I understand it, this would mean I just wait until the Maintenance Minder tells me to go in for service. However, the User Guide also says that extended idling or low-speed operation such as police car, taxi or driving school car requires use of the Schedule 2 fixed maintenance program. I don’t think my driving pattern fits that requirement, but want to do the right thing.

Any advice? What do you recommend? I’m inclined to do a regular 6-month oil and filter routine regardless of mileage or conditions, but am not interested in just throwing away money for no useful benefit. If it matters, I understand the dealer in my area uses synthetic oil for all oil changes.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

With your type of driving, I would follow Schedule 2.

 

An oil change is cheap maintenance when compared to the problems you avoid by getting it done regularly.

I have a 2016 Mazda 2 (Scion Ia) for my kids to drive. They put about the same mileage on that as you do on yours. My plan is for that vehicle to be 100% reliable for the 8 years they need it to get through college. I get an oil change (and tire rotation) at 1 year or 5,000 miles with the Mazda recommended full synthetic.I also have the mechanic go over the vehicle and make sure that everything is perfect.

Getting an oil change at 6 months can't hurt but I would still recommend the full synthetic.

I would also recommend that you take the CX-5 on the road and drive somewhere a half hour away at least every other month. It needs more exercise than you are giving it.

 

Schedule 2 is the same as Schedule 1 for maximum time between oil changes which is 12 months. Changing once a year with your low mileage will meet Mazda's requirement unless you feel more comfortable with shorter intervals. Use a full synthetic oil like Castrol (Mazda recommendation) or their own oil with moly ( for considerably more $).

 

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll opt for Schedule 2, oil & filter every 6 months, using the recommended synthetic, with the understanding I can probably safely stretch the service to every 12 months if circumstances dictate. I didn't mention it, but I do visit family about 35 minutes way every couple months, satisfying the recommendation made by mazdaCPA. I've only had my CX-5 a few months, but really like it. Hope to keep it for a good long time.

 

I have a 2017 CX5 and it has factory warranty for another 18 months. I have had the recommend service at the local Mazda dealer.

I have also made sure to have them check for any TSB/Recalls and report all issues so they are documented.

Once the warranty is over. I will do the simple service items myself to save a few bucks.

PS: I live in SouthEast FL and the stop and go traffice is nuts. Agree that you should follow the Mazda warranty schedule I plan to keep this car for a number of years and would change fluids more frequent based on the traffic condition.

Regards,
Jim

 

Thanks Detroit1 . . . By the way, I used to live even in farther Souteast Florida -- South Dade in fact and worked on Brickell Ave. Talk about traffic!!!

 

We live near Ft Lauderdale. The traffic is real bad, however even worse when you go south.

Good luck with your car. Like you I hold on to my cars longer since I am now retired.

Regards
Jim