[Playthru1]

Which matters most the time elapsed or the mileage.The reason I ask because I never reach the set mileage in the time length the dealer gives for changes.
I might only use 2000 miles of the six months I have between oil changes.

 

[Greenman]

You change your oil every 6 months?

The earlier of 12500 miles (In UK) or 12 months should be more than adequate

 

[NotAPreppie]

Mazda have several recommended service schedules in the North American market.
Schedule 1, "Flexible" (using the oil monitoring option) has oil changes at 12 months or 10k miles (16k km).
Schedule 1, fixed has oil changes at 6 months or 7.5k miles.

Schedule 2 is the "severe driving" schedule with 5 month or 4k mile intervals.

Playthru1, oil can deteriorate in the crank case even when you don't drive it. Combustion produces water and a host of other things that can get past piston rings or leak through the PCV valve. Even a small amount can eventually eliminate the oil's ability to fully protect the engine over a long enough period of time. If for no other reason than the sake of your warranty, I recommend you change your oil at whichever interval requirement comes first.

That said, if you want to be really crazy about it, you can send samples of your oil to a place like Blackstone Labs to have it analyzed to see how it's doing. Mazda probably won't honor reports from them if you have to get your engine replaced under warranty but you'll still have that peace of mind.

 

[DJ9999]

I only drive 4-5k miles per year also. I change mine every 6 months. Anything more is overkill. Anything less is just being cheap.

 

[Dean]

The Canadian schedule for oil is

8,000 km (5,000 miles) or 4-months

Mazda CX-3 scheduled maintenance


Of Course, our warranty is also unlimited mileage




.

 

[Cyclone1410]

I travel around 6000km per year in the little Mazda and do an oil and filter change every 6 months. Short trips and only just getting to operating temperature aren't great for any engine, hence the more frequent service visits. The dealer does the 12 month service and my trusted independent mechanic does the 6 month jobbie.

 

[Greenman]

Always surprises me that the same engine has such wildly different service arrangements.

Maybe an oil change is much cheaper in North America - in the U.K.it costs £120 at a main mazda dealer.

 

[NotAPreppie]

I haven't gone to a dealer for an oil change for years so I can't commend on that. It's probably $20-$50 depending on oil capacity at an independent shop.

 

[Cyclone1410]

Always surprises me that the same engine has such wildly different service arrangements.

Maybe an oil change is much cheaper in North America - in the U.K.it costs £120 at a main mazda dealer.

The 10000km or 12 month service is $284.00 AUD. It is basically an oil and filter change and a quick (and not very good) wash. My independent guy does it for $180.00 AUD. Don't know how they can do it so cheap in the US.

 

[DJ9999]

In the US we have quick serve shops that change oil in any make/model that shows up. The cost is $20-$50 as noted above. You truly get what you pay for. I'd never take my vehicle to one.

My last oil change at Mazda was about $90. I'm totally fine spending that on an oil change at the dealer knowing its done properly and they can inspect, make updates, inform me etc. of anything that is out of the ordinary. It also gives me an opportunity to chat with my salesman and kick some tires on the lot while I wait.

I never let the dealer wash my car. In fact, I write a note "do not wash" and put on my dash. I'm just not a fan of lousy washes, lint and swirl marks.

 

[st3v3cx-3]

....I never let the dealer wash my car. In fact, I write a note "do not wash" and put on my dash. I'm just not a fan of lousy washes, lint and swirl marks.

You might find a printed sign like this helps

 

[Playthru1]

I had my oil changed by the dealer today with only 2000 miles on the oil but is was six months between my last change.The tech put the mileage down when my next change is due but did not put down a time limit.
Oversight or was he trying to tell me something?