First oil change with my car.

[10Mazda3i]

Hi everyone.

I purchased my 2010i Auto in November with just under 160k and now I've rolled over 162k.

I've got an oil change sticker that advises me to change my oil in March of 2017 or 165k.

I know I need an oil change but I was hoping to get some opinions on whether I should take my car in to a mazda dealership, a small shop or a jiffy/mr. Lube type place?

I thought about the dealership, even though I know I'll get overcharged only because they'd be able to tell me about recalls for my car and check it to make sure everything is how it should be.

I used to take my old car to a small shop specializing in that kind of car.

Sorry if it's in the wrong section. Thanks for your time.

[shift8]

For oil when I'm lazy I take it to a local 10 min Pennzoil and supply my own oil filter. I like the manager and a couple of the kids there and had no problems. I somewhat monitor what they're doing as best I can.

You can always look up recalls yourself if that's a concern. I think it comes down to how much responsibility you want to take on.

Lowest responsibility is probably the dealer, but even then...

I once used a dealer (non Mazda) who likely over tightened my oil filter casing and cracked it (or it cracked because it was cold out, hard to say).

My old 2005 Mazda 3 GT leaked oil all over our condo basement parking when the kids forgot to put the filter casing screw back in the bottom. (Drove through jobby.)

Your mileage (pun not intended... maybe) may vary.

[morganc]

The dealer isn't as bad as you think. Don't let them do any other work on your car and your should be good. maybe somewhere around $60.

[Nick]

For an oil change i would suggest going with the same shop assuming you have a healthy relationship, also ask them for a once-over. If you find a day with good weather you can also do it yourself.

[Booter22]

Hi everyone.

I purchased my 2010i Auto in November with just under 160k and now I've rolled over 162k.

I've got an oil change sticker that advises me to change my oil in March of 2017 or 165k.

I know I need an oil change but I was hoping to get some opinions on whether I should take my car in to a mazda dealership, a small shop or a jiffy/mr. Lube type place?

I thought about the dealership, even though I know I'll get overcharged only because they'd be able to tell me about recalls for my car and check it to make sure everything is how it should be.

I used to take my old car to a small shop specializing in that kind of car.

Sorry if it's in the wrong section. Thanks for your time.

unless you have called. a regular oil change im sure at mazda is mayube 50 bucks. but you could ask them what the cost of the 0w20 synth oil change is. if its 60 bucks. thats a win. thats the oil used in the sky actives. or call and ask what the cost of synth 5w20 would be. sure it might almost be the same.

but still. wouldnt ever catch me at mr lube. put in whatever shit filters and oil they have. plus the dealers usually give you a car wash. they have coffee and snacks. nice hour to sit around and relax then going other places i find. check out some of the new cars in the show room.

[Stewie]

Get some ramps at crappy tire and do it yourself.

All mazda are extremely easy to do oil change.

[Booter22]

Get some ramps at crappy tire and do it yourself.

All mazda are extremely easy to do oil change.

lol really? why? for $10 -$15 in labour. even cheaper to get most parts in the oil change package now a days. so why bother. then you need to dispose of the old shit. its so not worth it to do an oil change yourself now a days.

[Stewie]

lol really? why? for $10 -$15 in labour. even cheaper to get most parts in the oil change package now a days. so why bother. then you need to dispose of the old shit. its so not worth it to do an oil change yourself now a days.

Yeah right $30 for a full synthetic and labor oil change.

Don't be surprised you run out of oil.

[Milan96]

lol really? why? for $10 -$15 in labour. even cheaper to get most parts in the oil change package now a days. so why bother. then you need to dispose of the old shit. its so not worth it to do an oil change yourself now a days.

A) you're still saving money, even $10-15 in Labour per change will add up

B) more important than the money saved, for some people doing it yourself is the better option for peace of mind (ie, you know it's done correctly, filter was replaced, correct oil used. Seen too many horror stories about oil changes at shops/quicklubes/wherever)

[Milan96]

Yeah right $30 for a full synthetic and labor oil change.

Don't be surprised you run out of oil.
Funny you say that. I have a friend with an Escape, taught him how to change oil. He always went to Costco prior for their synthetic changes. When we drained the oil, about 3.5L came out if I recall correctly (engine was the 2.5L found in many mazdas, it needs 5 L of oil). Needless to say, he changes his own oil now

[sarujo]

I just go to Jimmy where I know it will get done properly. Hand him an OEM filter (via TM3 discount at affiliate dealer) and a 4.4L jug of synthetic oil that I buy only when on sale (which is frequently). Used to do my own years ago, but no time and space anymore, and the proper disposal of the used filters and oil is a PITA - ie more time needed.

Overall costs works out to close to as I was paying for the 0W20 synthetic change back when I was going to the dealer, but Jimmy is closer to me and I like to support the little guys who do good work. Cash is king! ;-)

[Booter22]

yea if you go to mr lube or costco or some place sure who knows what they do. at mazda when i worked there for 5 years an oil change non synth was 50 and 0w20 was 60. at hyundai for an elantra its 45 and 65 for synth ( similar to the 3). so those pay between $14-16 in labour and the rest is parts. and for that money. wouldnt catch me dead, jacking up my car. draining it. fighting with disposing the oil. just not worth it. sure maybe$50 extra per car at the end of the year adds up and to those that cant afford that no problem. but when you think you still had to buy the tools. the ramps the buckets take your car to drop off the oil and then spend your time cleaning it. was it really worth what an hour or so to do all that? if you make $15 an hour then sure its worth it. if you make more then that. no not worth it for you, in that hour someone else is doing it. you could be doing something for you that you couldn't do because you were changing oil.

like i said and like you said. not for everyone. but i would never change my own oil on the car. on the bike.1000000% yes im the only person who has serviced both my bikes thus far less the tire i had replaced but i even took the wheel off and brought it in so it only cost me a mount and balance.


10Mazda3i i would call the dealer near you find out the cost of regular or synth. see if its worth your drive to jimmy ( who i hear is the yoda of all mazdas.. or at least sounds that way ) and or figure out whats best for you. i dont advise mr lube. costco. canadian tire. speedy or any other place like that unless you know and trust someone who works there.

[10Mazda3i]

Amazing feedback. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
I think I will go to the dealer. I'm just worried they will purposely cause problems in my car so I have to come back. That can be done by any mechanic though.