How To Change The Oil In Your Mazda Vehicle

One of the best ways to preserve the life of your Mazda is to make sure you change your oil regularly. Oil helps ensure that your engine is running smoothly, and an engine that runs smoothly will last for a long time. Mazdas are exceptional vehicles with great performance capabilities, but these abilities will be hindered if your engine oil is old or has debris. If you’re cruising the streets of Fort Worth, Texas, and see the “oil life” indicator light come on, you should never ignore it.

Many people bring their cars to a dealership to get their engine oil changed. This is a quick and relatively inexpensive option for those who don’t have the time, tools, or energy to change their oil themselves. Our service team at Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth will be more than happy to help you out if you schedule a Mazda service appointment today, or If you have any questions give us a call at (817) 663-7404. However, if you want to complete this task on your own, chances are you’ll be able to complete the job easily and quickly from the comfort of your garage or driveway.

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Generally speaking, Mazda owners should plan on changing their oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. In the past, you might have heard that oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, but thanks to advances in oil engineering, this number has shifted to allow oil to operate at peak capacity for longer periods. While considering an oil change around the 7,500-mile mark is a good idea for most drivers, there are certain scenarios when drivers would need to change their oil more frequently:

• You mainly drive short trips of five miles or less.
• You drive trips of 10 miles or less in very cold conditions.
• You drive in extreme heat.
• You drive in stop-and-go traffic in hot temperatures.
• You drive slowly for long distances.
• You frequently drive on dusty, salty, muddy, or sandy roads.
• You tow trailers for long distances.

While drivers in Fort Worth won’t likely need to worry about the conditions related to cold weather, many drivers might find that they fall under some of the other conditions that would require them to change their oil more frequently.

It should also be noted that if you leave your car parked most of the time and don’t rack up many miles, you should still change your oil at least once per year.

What Are the Signs That I Need an Oil Change?

Ideally, you keep track of the number of miles you drive between oil changes to know when it’s time for an oil refresh. Newer Mazdas are also equipped with an oil life monitoring system to alert you when it’s time to change your oil. However, there are some tell-tale signs that it might be time to change your oil even if you don’t think you’ve driven that many miles yet.

Unusual Sounds Under the Hood

The oil in your car works to lubricate your engine, which is full of many moving parts. If the oil is getting old and breaking down or if it’s getting dirty, it won’t be able to work as efficiently. This means that you might hear knocking, ticking, or grinding sounds when you start your engine. These noises could be an indicator of poor oil quality, so it would be a good idea to change your oil to see if it takes care of the problem.

Dirty Oil

New, clean oil should be amber in color and translucent. After it’s been circulating through your engine for some time, it’ll collect debris and dust and turn black and opaque. The only way to see the color of your engine oil is to check how it looks by pulling out your oil dipstick. When you pull it out, take a close look to see if you can still see the dipstick through the oil. If you can’t, that’s a sign that your oil is getting old and needs to be changed soon.

Black Exhaust or an Oil Smell

The vapor coming out of your tailpipe should be translucent. If the exhaust from your tailpipe is black or if you notice the smell of oil when you drive your car, it could be an indicator that your oil is too thin or dirty to perform its job correctly.

How Do I Change the Oil in My Mazda?

Before you change your oil, make sure you have easy access to the underside of your car. You’ll need the following items nearby:

• Wrench.
• Bottle of new oil (check your owners manual for the right type).
• New oil filter.
• Drain pan.
• Funnel.
• New oil plug (recommended with each oil change to make sure it functions properly).

Once you’ve gathered your materials, follow these steps:

1. Place the drain pan under your oil plug, and then remove the plug to allow all of the old oil to drain out. You might want to wear gloves and be sure to move your hand out of the way quickly once the plug has been removed.
2. Remove the cap from the oil filler hole located at the top of the engine.
3. Locate the oil filter under the engine’s hood. These are placed in different locations depending on your vehicle, but you should look for blue, white, or black cylinders that are about 4-6 inches long and 3 inches wide.
4. Remove the filter by twisting it counterclockwise.
5. Screw in the new oil filter by turning it clockwise for a three-quarter turn.
6. Wipe clean the location of the oil drain plug, and then insert the new oil plug. Screw this in securely with a wrench.
7. Use a funnel to pour in the new oil slowly, allowing time for it to settle. Keep checking the dipstick until you have filled it with the required amount.
8. Replace the oil filler cap.

Oil Changes Extend the Life of Your Mazda

Owning a Mazda is a great privilege, and if you want to make sure to have your Mazda for many years to come, staying on top of regular oil changes is one of the easiest steps you can take. While many car maintenance tasks might require a professional’s skills and equipment, oil changes are something you can consider doing yourself. Save money on oil changes today to help save up for your next Mazda in the future.