Use the Mazda filters until you know the aftermarket ones are ok -- they are different internally (specifically, the bypass valve setting and, allegedly, the flow characteristics.) Yes, getting this wrong can matter (a lot.) The factory filters are reasonable in price and my local stealer has thus far always had a "buy 3, get 4" deal which makes it even more reasonable. There is no economy in using an aftermarket filter and I've got a number of UOAs in hand that say the stock filter works well.

As for oil I have run Pennzoil 0w20 since the first change from the factory fill and have seen no difference in fuel economy from the first tank onward, and I've got 30k on the clock now. I do all my own work on my vehicle.

Here's my fuelly profile from literally the first tank.
Mazda 6 Sport MT (Mazda 6) | Fuelly

The only thing that changes my economy is my drive cycle; there are differences month-to-month, but I can identify exactly why, and as you can see there is no long-term trend in any particular direction. It's been a remarkably consistent vehicle in that regard. The high points (monthly averages) have all been during months where I've done an above-normal amount of long-distance highway driving; the low points where there has been little or none.

Yes, I drive a lot.

 

Thanks tickerguy. Good to know about the filter. I used Fram tough guard in my previous car which made it to 153,352 miles before the transmission lost a gear. Ill have to do some research into that. Do you use a moly additive? I want to try the penzoil platinum again with the moly and see what kind of difference it makes. Granted the weather is starting to warm up so there will be all sorts of different factors there.

 

I do not use any additives; the factory fill clearly did have moly in it (the first oil analysis on the factory fill showed a quite-high level) but there has been zero degradation in mileage now at ~31k miles without it.

There are many friction modifier packages available for use in engine oil; moly isn't the only one by any means, and all modern oils have them. Mixing friction modifiers is a crap-shoot; while it's unlikely there would be a bad outcome from adding one to another there's no guarantee since all additive packages are considered proprietary (and with good reason; the oil companies spend a lot of money developing them!)

 

I ended up going with royal purple. Couldn't beat the price. Check your local Walmart and pick some up.

 

View attachment 144929

I ended up going with royal purple. Couldn't beat the price. Check your local Walmart and pick some up.

I hope you bought EVERY bottle they had!

 

Thanks OP for this post! I been thinking of just doing the oil changes myself.

I was going to ask about the moly, but it seems folks use Penzoil Platinum (which is what I used on my G, albeit 5W30). Any other oil recommendations? Also, I will pick up the Mazda oil filters, my local dealer has crazy deals like buy 3 get 1 free all the time as well.

 

I use Amsoil XL OEM

 

I notice the engine is a little bit more quiet with the royal purple over the Mazda and penzoil platinum. As far as MPG goes my best combo was with Mazda oil and shell gas. I also use a fram tough guard oil filter and change my oil every 5k miles. Probably could go 6k or possibly more but it's just an excuse to play with wrenches.

Once I get halfway through the life of the royal purple I'm going to add a can of moly and see what that does. My overall goal is to find an oil that gives me the best MPG and smooths some of that engine noise down.

 

I've been using Amsoil Signature Series 0w20 since my first oil change... (and Mazda filter)
It is an excelent oil (in my opinion) and I can extend my oil change intervals. Although knowing my OCD, I will probably won't let it go past 10K miles or so....

 

I just switched mine to the new Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 in hopes it will counteract a slight bit of oil consumption I've had over the past few oil changes. I was using about 1/2 qt in 5k miles, which may be perfectly normal, on the Mazda OEM Moly oil. I think the minimally thicker and more sheer resistant Mobil 1 base stocks will help combat this. I will report back with any findings.

 

1/2 quart in 5k miles is normal.

 

I agree - the oil consumption is not abnormal, but I am curious to see if there might be any less consumption and/or better economy or a performance difference running non-moly Mobil 1 EP. Time will tell. On a positive note, it does drive nicely on it and the motor makes no weird or different noises. Idle is quiet as always, no weird clatter without the moly so far. It feels good keeping $15 in my wallet too.

 

Castrol Syntec ow20 here.


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I've been running Pennzoil 0w20 Pure Platinum (which has no moly in it) since the first change after the factory oil was drained, and I've got UOAs that say wear metal levels are very close to zero. Thus far I'm very happy with my choice (~38k miles and counting)

 

How many quarts have you all been needing to fill to the full mark on the dipstick? Mine shows nearly a quart low when filled with 4.5 quarts.

 

By the way, I use penz platinum. From what I've read I don't see any benefit to moly or moly additives. There are threads showing analysis also.

 

I run a full 5qt "change pack" ("gallon" container) on a change and it comes up about halfway on the stick. No add has been necessary over the interval.

 

So this past Saturday, while I was at my buddies garage with the dyno, I changed the my oil. Put in 0w-20 Mobil 1 advanced mileage so forth AND Fram oil filter. I know the tune has changed my mpg, for the better, but I just got done with a 700+ mile trip to Ft. Knox Ky...I'm doing a short deployment this summer. The engine seemed to responded very well with the oil change and new filter. There were no metal pieces on the drainage plug and as you can see with the pics the oil filter looked pretty clean. Actually, I think I could have gone for a few miles before changing. My buddy has a oil filter cutter so I thought why not take a peak inside.

 

so, tickerguy, you're saying that you fill with 5 quarts and you're still showing "half way up the stick" which I take to mean halfway between the full and low (1 qt low) marks?

 

Yep. Every time, 5qts in winds up right at the halfway point between "add" and "full."

 

Since I've owned my 14 Sport, I've been using this kit from oilchangekits.com for $48 + $10 shipping.

I was browsing Amazon.com today and found:

Royal Purple 0W-20 - 5qt


and

...for the exact same price. Plus I have Prime so free 2 day shipping. Dafuq have I been doing??