Regular Oil Changes

If the driving style is cold stop/start, or short trips, with low annual mileage and few long trips, then regular oil changes every 3k miles helps to eliminate HLA related noise/dirt-buildup problems. The comment from Mazda Master Techs is to just keep changing the oil+filter until HLAs silence (remove dirt).

If a synthetic oil is used then there is less chance of varnish. It seems Castrol Syntec/Magnatek isn't quite as good as Mobil1. Empirically based on the 4-ball wear test, ASTM D4172, Amsoil and Mobil-1 synthetics attain 0.39, Castrol Magnatek/Syntek 0.45 and general dino-oil around 0.60-0.70. Regarding Ash which causes sludge & residue particularly on valves, Mobil1 is minimal, Amsoil <0.5%, but Castrol Syntec/Magnatex is 1.2% (yet most dino oils are circa 1%, suggesting a caveat with Castrols Syntec/Magnatec). Engines will run 200k-300k+ miles if the top-end valve-train is cared for with regular oil changes (some owners are already achieving 200k+), the bottom end being a reliable four 4-bolt Mains.

For more information on oils the following FAQ gives a complex and detailed breakdown of various oils ( http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/facts_info/oilnotes.shtml).

Sourcing OEM Oil Wrench & Filters

The following are available from Roebuck Mazda US and are a good saving even after shipping to the UK. For the 2.5s Factory oil filter-wrench (4G0-14-001) 7.49$US; Oil filters (JEY0-14-302-9A) 4.25$US; Drain plug crush aluminium washer (G6Y0-14-302A) 0.78$US (do not reuse old washers).

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