So I'm kind of old school and just change my oil every 3-4k miles with fossel oil.
The book says 7k miles?. Most of my miles are highway about 75-80%

Should I switch over to synthetic oil and do it every???? I don't know because never used it?

Or just stay with fossel oil and change it every 5-6k miles....and forget about it....??

thanks

 

Engine and oil technology has improved over the years. I follow the manual and always use Valvoline (non-synthetic).

70K miles on my wife's 3.0L V6 Mazda6 and 50K on my 3 (before I sold it) with no problems on either.

 

I was doing every 3k
but now that I'm not doing 400mi/week (switched job locations, and basically only using car on weekends now) I think I'll scale back to every 5k.
We'll see how it goes

 

If you examine your manual more carefully, you'll see that there area couple ofmaintenance tables,one lists intervals for normal driving conditions, the other lists intervals for severe conditions. You need to determine whether you are "normal" or "severe" and follow that table.

 

thanks didn't see that.
Whats 75-80% highway driving considered??

 

I do mine every 3000-3500, I also use Motorcraft 5w/20, it is Semi Synthetic and the Mazda Filter and you are good to go [8D]

 

every 4500-4800 miles, typically casterol 5w20 non synthetic with a purolator filter.

 

In general, more highway in your driving mix pushes you more toward "normal" as opposed to "severe." But, if there are lots of hills, or dust, or you likereally revving it up, or your car is often loaded (carrying more than just one or two regular sized people), then you can still be severe. If your borderline, I'd say go with severe.

If you just got your car, I would do the first change early (I did mine at about 700 miles ... yes 700), to get the "new engine" crap out of there. As much as manufacturing has improved, there is still particulate that gets shaken loose in the first few hundred miles - so get it out of there, so it doesn't cause wear.

Synthetic versus Conventional, many debates have been held in the past at this site, for sure you should break your new engine in with conventional, before considering a switch. Something about synthetic makes it a bad choice during break in. If Idrove in Texas/Arizona in summer, or Minnesota/Wisconsinin winter, I'd consider synthetic, but since I am fortunate enough to not live in either, Ihave usedeither conventional or semi synthetic.

I also believe in 5w30, especially outside of winter. A little more thickness, a little more protection, Mazda lists it as an acceptable choice for the Mazda3.

 

Thanks for the info...:0

 

I agree with Urbanman in regards to the first oil change @ 700 mile to remove engine shavings. I have 126k miles on my 2004 Mazda 3 using Royal Purple Synthetic every 6k miles, best oil i have ever used. I would not use synthetic until 10k and use a good oil fitler such as Mobile One. Stay way from cheap filters.