Hi all,

I bought my daughter a new 2011 Mazda3 hatchback. About two months after purchase I checked the oil, and it seemed a bit low (I do not know where the level was when purchased). So I added 0.5 quarts of synthetic 0W-20 as recommended. I am not sure of the mileage at that point (around 2500 on the odometer, but this is a guess). At about 3600 miles on the odometer, I checked it again and noticed that it was low again.

I took it to the dealer; they confirmed that it was 0.5 quarts low. The dealer changed the oil for us free of charge at this point and then sealed the drain plug and dipstick with paint. The PCV valve is fine I am told and there are no leaks. Also, I do not notice and blue or white smoke from the tailpipes at start up. We were told to drive it for about 3000 miles and bring it back to test the rate of oil consumption. I was of course a bit worried since I did not want to kill the engine, but it was their call. After driving it about 3400 miles (odometer around 7000 miles) it had used another 0.5 quarts according to the service report (the service representative told me 0.3 quarts were used). If I ignore the mystery of how it used 1 quart in the first 3600 miles (because I did not know the level at delivery) and go with a rate of 0.3 - 0.5 quarts per 3400 miles, that is 0.67 - 1.1 quarts used between oil changes (7500 miles recommended). I was told that this was within specs for oil consumption for this vehicle.

I have never owned a car that used any oil when new. The last Mazda I owned was a 2.4 L pickup, and I don't recall this issue. On the other hand, I always change oil between 3 and 4K. So perhaps I do not notice it in my other vehicles. The motor revs very easily (this car is a ticket machine). Perhaps this contributes to oil consumption, but it is an automatic is not being thrashed in any way. I can't help but be a bit suspicious and am looking for some knowledge.

- Can someone tell me if this consumption seems normal for a new 2.5L motor?
- What is the normal range of usage according to the factory specs? I cannot seem to find this information.

Thanks for any assistance!

GRH

 

I hope that was a typo and what you really meant to type is either 5W-20 or 0W-20; I'm thinking 0W-50 is over the top thick for optimal engine operation. FWIW, I use 0W-30 in my Mazda3.

 

Thanks. Yes. I meant 0W-20 as recommended by Mazda for the 2011 3 2.5L.

GRH

 

I would think a 1 or 2 yrs old car oil consumption would be ZERO!! Mine still doesn't use any after 7 yrs, 66,000 miles and 46+k of that using 5w-20 synthetic.

Speaking for my own car, and I know the dipsticks have changed since mine was built, even if the car has been sitting for several days, it always looks low on the stick. I MUST reinsert it and bring it out again to get an accurate reading.

 

Hey thanks. Yeah the dipstick is the worst I have ever seen. One side is smeared with oil. On the other side it the oil level seems more accurate but the oil drips off supper fast. If I pull it quickly and get it on its side then it is better. But the dealer confirmed it was down a bit on oil. I am going to watch it. I have a lot of warranty left and will log it carefully to see if it gets worse. But I do not think it should use any or very little. But I wanted some feedback. thanks.