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Oil consumption

24K views 54 replies 25 participants last post by  jdubea  
#1 ·
Have a 2021 Turbo 3 with about 4500 mis. Have been checking oil level on regular basis and getting close to the first oil change. Driving at moderate pace usually and the Low Oil warning comes on. Get home and check oil and its down about a qt. Is this normal oil consumption? This is my 4th Mazda 3 and have not had any oil consumption issues. Taking it in for a 5000 mi change and go over. Not sure if this is just break-in issue or something else.
 
#6 ·
2.5T here with first Oil Level Low warning. Added a quart of different synthetic while on a trip to the beach. I'm close to 5000 miles since last change. Had to mix Mobile 1 with the Liqui Molly, so oil change this week. What's the Turbo viscosity again? I have 0W20 in there now, but figured that might be better in the hot NC summer.

Anyone have a performance oil brand or viscosity suggestion for hot climates?
 
#10 · (Edited)
if your running 0w-20 the oil is too thin and most likely why your seeing the oil level warning, the oil pressure is too low and oil consumption up from the oil thinning out.... Since the car is turbocharged it needs to run the *w-30 weight oil.. the 30 weight is very important for the turbocharger and engine design with the amount of heat output from the turbo when at any boost level and the oil is at temp..... 20 is too thin.. If you want the cold 0w rating use 0w-30

I also had a friend with the turbo 3 get the same message "Oil level Low" his oil was at the correct level.. What happened was his Mazda dealer put 0w-20 in by mistake two days before when he had his 1st oil change he noticed on his bill.. So he went back they changed to 5w-30 for free.. no more Oil Level errors as well. Thankfully I do my own oil changes.

But good to know the ECU picks this up early. :)


Pic from 2021 Turbo 3 Canada/USA manual below.

Image
 
#9 ·
I think US is 0W20? It says 5W30 under 2.5T hood, so I guess you're right.

Engine oil specification

Item​
U.S.A. and CANADA​
Except U.S.A. and CANADA​
Engine oil grade​
Image
Image
ILSAC GF-V or higher​
API SM or higher, or ILSAC GF-IV or higher (Mexico)​
Engine oil viscosity​
0W-20​
SAE 5W-30 (If SAE 5W-30 engine oil is not available, use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.)​
 
#13 ·
Mazda did something with their system with the 2021 model. I have had two Mazda CX-9's with the 2.5T. A 2018 and now a 2021. I do generally check oil levels just because. The 2018 would always get to a level between the two dots - but slightly on the lower end at close to 4K miles. Nothing would change and an oil change at 5K would not reveal anything different. With the 2021, I have noticed that when the exact same thing happens, the low engine oil light comes on. Alarming but very similar in aboslute level as before. I still usually add a quart at this point - just to make the light go away.
 
#14 · (Edited)
@scmazda3 you are right indeed that they did something with 2021 model; in this post, a TSB was attached describing the oil consumption issue that they suspect it's due to valve stem seal modification and it's applicable to 2021 model year.
From the looks of it (my personal opinion) is that they are either going to change the valves under warranty or entire new head.

It might be a good idea to report this to the dealer so it's recorded in their system and when a fix would be available, to benefit from it.
Seems this will be covered by the power train warranty which is 5 yr/60,000miles.
 
#15 ·
I didn't realize how much they had to change to the 2.5T to get it to fit in the 3. While this particular issue is related to the valve stem seals, other things were changed as well that I wasn't aware of until I saw the video with Coleman. Historically the 2.5 NA and 2.0 have been great engines not known to consume oil. Hopefully the issue gets resolved. I just made the cutoff.....403855.
 
#16 ·
I didn't realize how much they had to change to the 2.5T to get it to fit in the 3. While this particular issue is related to the valve stem seals, other things were changed as well that I wasn't aware of until I saw the video with Coleman. Historically the 2.5 NA and 2.0 have been great engines not known to consume oil. Hopefully the issue gets resolved. I just made the cutoff.....403855.
What video?

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 
#18 ·
Got 1st low oil warning at ~15K, 300 mile over service period. Appt on this coming Wednesday morning. Needed to add a Qt as it was below bottom dot on stick. I will inform dealer to document.
Used -30W Valvoline Synth to top off. I hope this isn't a thing. My 05 RSX S was an oil pig 2-3 QTs every 7K oil change period based on how much VTECing I did.
 
#20 ·
Apparently so! Just check my VIN on the Android app. I filed it last night, so the health check says normal. My RSX S drove me crazy. The joke at the dealer was, "just change the filter, I already changed the oil!":cool: Honda's are oil pigs. My 16 Maxima never burned a drop, even under spirited driving. I guess back to checking it every week and topping it off until they get accountable.
I printed the TSB and plan on handing it to the Service and General MGR of the dealership.
 
#25 ·
I had the dealer document it and will see what happens. As I posted further back, my 05 RSX S used 2-3 Qt per 7500miles. Normal by Honda Corp. specs.
I'll top it off as it get to 1/2 way on the stick. I hadn't been checking it, as the dealer told me these engines don't consume oil. That was my 1st mistake, trusting the Srvc. MGR when his lips were moving. 🥴
 
#26 ·
Yes I know this thread hasn’t been responded to in a while but it’s for logging any information for a future owner correct?
My car recently give the low oil warning although the oil level is only about 1/8 inch (approximately 3 mm) from the full hole on the dipstick, so it’s well within the operating rage, the mileage is presently 27,739 and I do 5,000 oil changes and 25,000ish was the last oil change.
 
#27 ·
Hello, I've recently been made aware of an oil consumption issue with 2021 Mazda3 turbos. I've been suspicious ever since I bought it last year and I noticed black soot along the edge of the exhaust and wondering if she was burning a bit. Doesn't seem too bad at least, she runs good and strong and averaging 30.6 per gallon to boot! Anyhow, I do have a question.....if I need to add oil at any point, what brand of synthetic mixes well with the Mazda factory oil? Was worried I'd screw the car up if I picked the wrong brand. Thank you
 
#34 ·
That would be my understanding; typically when they list a VIN range, it doesn't necessarily follow that all vehicles in that range have the issue. However, since you had the problem once, do keep an eye on the oil level before taking it in for each service; just in case.

BTW, is yours a 100AE? I thought they were all built before Oct 20. What was your build month? With one end date of Sep 21 for the Japan 3 VIN range, it sounds like all MY21 3T's built in Japan after mid Oct 20 and all MY21 and 22 3T's built in Mexico after Dec 20 have this potential issue,
 
#36 ·
I have a 2022 Japan build with a 11/21 build date but I also showed low oil, and oil was below the dipstick. Added 1.5 quarts to get it to mid level. Anyone else with a 2022 Japan built Mazda 3 Turbo have this issue? My exhaust tips are covered in black soot too... 12k miles on it currently. 2nd owner, owned it since July. I wonder if this TSB will expand to 2022 Japan built models at some point too...
 
#40 ·
Here is an update re the new tsb .

So put in a call to my local dealer, no call back, but they’re busy, and having met them, I can handle that.
Spoke to a couple of people at Mazda USA customer relations (5500 number in Florida) .Again nice people, but knew nothing about the tsb, so I forwarded the whole thing. The agent put me on hold to speak to a supervisor presumably. She came back and told me I had no business being on possession of the document and that it was only for the eyes of Mazda USA and their dealers. She was much nicer than that sounds and was only repeating what she had been told.

I now have a case number assigned and expect (maybe) a call back in a day or two. I asked her to alert whoever calls me back that I won’t be expecting a lecture.

My m.o. here is not to demand an instant fix, after all who wants to be the canary in the coal mine here, I’d rather the techs warm up on someone’s else’s vehicle. I simply want to understand what the process is. Sit tight and wait ? Keep calling the dealer ? Is all I want to know.