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Oil change

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Old 06-20-2011, 05:02 PM
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Question Oil change

Going for my first oil change what oil do I use? I am probably going t have to go to wal mart to do it, Mazda place pissed me off and nothing else is open today, should I wait and go somewhere else?
Old 06-20-2011, 05:04 PM
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Read this and please don't make oil threads...


Which oil to use

The most debated question in the community, bordering on a religious war, so I won't try to cover every point here.

It boils down to deciding for yourself.

Some go with 5w20, to stay with Mazda's recommendation in North America. Some go with 5w30 to go with Mazda's recommendation outside North America. Others go to 10w40 or even 20w50, the most common weights among RX-7s. The general arguement revolves around if 5w20 is too thin or not. So research up on it (if someone has a specific oil thread to link here, let me know), and make your own decision.

Dino vs synthetic is another hot topic, with the main arguement revolving around if the strength of the synthetic is worth the cost, and if there is any better burning (or not better burning) than dino oils, and if any deposits are left behind that could increase engine wear. Mazda only recommends non-synthetic, but does not require it. Your decision.
Old 06-20-2011, 05:04 PM
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i use castrol gtx 5w30, but the owners manual says you should use 5w20...other people use other stuff
Old 06-20-2011, 06:36 PM
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Wal-Mart??? really?

I'd wait and find a reputable shop
Old 06-20-2011, 06:38 PM
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I use baby oil...JK, lol

Use the recommended oil for your car...5w20 or 30 will be fine.
Old 06-20-2011, 06:42 PM
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Don't do it at Walmart. They use an impact gun to put the bolt back on the oil pan. Good luck getting that off next time. But anyways the two most popular from what I've learned is 5w20 or 5w30 non synthetic. People that use synthetic or 10w30 or higher usually have the sohn adapter so they dont have to worry about burning off the oil. As for the brand everyone has their own two cents about that so just use your favorite as long as its a name brand and not some guy in his backyard shop mixing up his own concoction you should be fine. Although I have yet to meet this guy so you should be ok lol.
Old 06-20-2011, 06:43 PM
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O and I forgot. I know you have already been researching so you probably already know this but save your receipts for the oil changes.
Old 06-20-2011, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver6
But anyways the two most popular from what I've learned is 5w20 or 5w30 non synthetic. People that use synthetic or 10w30 or higher usually have the sohn adapter so they dont have to worry about burning off the oil. .
Complete fail on this entire statement
Old 06-20-2011, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by paimon.soror
Complete fail on this entire statement
Why don't you enlighten us then? This is what I've read about so if you have different information than why don't you tell us about it instead of just saying fail?
Old 06-20-2011, 07:03 PM
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Here we go again...

Same old war again...

Stating it as fail isn't any more accurate then the statement has to begin with. Nothing has been proven in any facet of either side of the argument, so that is all it will ever be.
Old 06-20-2011, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by RIWWP
Here we go again...

Same old war again...

Stating it as fail isn't any more accurate then the statement has to begin with. Nothing has been proven in any facet of either side of the argument, so that is all it will ever be.
War? But I'm too young to go to war
Old 06-20-2011, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver6
Why don't you enlighten us then? This is what I've read about so if you have different information than why don't you tell us about it instead of just saying fail?
A. There is no such thing as a 5w-20 or 5w-30 "non-synthetic"

B. The installation of a SOHN has absolutely nothing to do with the weight of oil chosen by the owner.
Old 06-20-2011, 08:01 PM
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Here we go again...another oil thread war, lmao
Old 06-20-2011, 09:01 PM
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Midnight - is this your first car? If not, where did you take your prior ones for oil changes?

Just find a place that you'll trust to not screw things up. There may even be good Jiffy Lubes - depends on who's working there.

Important part is to use a name brand oil that at least meets the specs in the owner's manual, and to use a good quality oil filter. Not one of the standard versions of the consumer brands.

Ken
Old 06-20-2011, 09:40 PM
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Honestly I always took my previous trucks to Wal Mart because I had three friends that work there and always gave me discounts and the best,

however this is a car so I figured it would be different which it is.... I did not use wal mart no worries there, I am using snapee lube, non synthetic 5w30

didn't mean to start a war....
Old 06-20-2011, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by paimon.soror
A. There is no such thing as a 5w-20 or 5w-30 "non-synthetic"

B. The installation of a SOHN has absolutely nothing to do with the weight of oil chosen by the owner.
A. http://www.valvoline.com/products/co...al-motor-oil/1
I'm not sure where you are getting your information from. I am talking about conventional motor oil. All oil now-a-days is at least partially synthetic with the additives used. I don't know if that is what you mean but it was supposed to be understood that I meant conventional oil when I said non synthetic.

B. I am not going to fuel the fire for this war. Like RIWWP said there is no evidence and I don't like to argue for no reason. I was just giving her my opinion.


To OP many wars were over females. We are just reliving history like many have before us
Old 06-20-2011, 10:09 PM
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Actually I've got some of my best service at WallyMart.

They are so used to complaints that they go out of their way to prove they do it 'right'.

They'll show you your empty oil bottles to prove what they put in, and they had me witness the manager using a torque wrench to put the final torque on my wheel changeover - I gots no complaints!
Old 06-20-2011, 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by StealthTL
Actually I've got some of my best service at WallyMart.

They are so used to complaints that they go out of their way to prove they do it 'right'.

They'll show you your empty oil bottles to prove what they put in, and they had me witness the manager using a torque wrench to put the final torque on my wheel changeover - I gots no complaints!
I could just never go there for an oil change. I am sure they do good service and all but I know a guy that worked there years ago. I heard some horror stories. The biggest one was someone seizing their engine because the walmart employee forgot to put the drain plug back on. Which I am sure that has happened basically everywhere. However kudos to Walmart because they did cover the engine replacement. Anyways I think it also does depend on which Walmart it is. I used to hate jiffy lube but then I ended up being forced to go to one and got really great service. The guy started talking about his old RX7 and we had a decently long talk about rotaries. Just depends who works there.
Old 06-21-2011, 12:48 AM
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Originally Posted by StealthTL
Actually I've got some of my best service at WallyMart.

They are so used to complaints that they go out of their way to prove they do it 'right'.

They'll show you your empty oil bottles to prove what they put in, and they had me witness the manager using a torque wrench to put the final torque on my wheel changeover - I gots no complaints!

That sounds pretty good. I know when I took my car to get new tires at DiscountTire they must use an air ratchet to tighten all the way because when I get home I check the torque. Every lug is different, some as low as 40 lbs and some as high as 90ish. Really wish places would finish lugs with a torque wrench to make sure they are good.
Old 06-21-2011, 01:57 AM
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You can never say with certainty that "This Place" sucks, or "That Place" rocks, for service. It 100% depends on the particular technician working on your car.

I was an auto mechanic for 10 years, working everywhere from a very small tune-up shop, to a new car dealership (and everywhere in between.) I've seen excellent and horrible techs at each establishment.
Old 06-21-2011, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Wingznut
You can never say with certainty that "This Place" sucks, or "That Place" rocks, for service. It 100% depends on the particular technician working on your car.

I was an auto mechanic for 10 years, working everywhere from a very small tune-up shop, to a new car dealership (and everywhere in between.) I've seen excellent and horrible techs at each establishment.

If your having problems with a certain mechanic or shop, then find another mechanic or shop...that's it, or just learn how to do it yourself, simple as that.
Old 06-21-2011, 10:47 PM
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Well got it done, Without wal mart haha, everything is good and going, all that is left to do is enjoy her!
Old 06-21-2011, 11:01 PM
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TX

Originally Posted by XMidnightSky
Well got it done, Without wal mart haha, everything is good and going, all that is left to do is enjoy her!
Congrats! It's an oil change not rocket science, and what oil you choose is no where near as important as changing it every 3,000 miles. Just check the oil after the car has been sitting to make sure they filled it properly and then check it every other gas fillup to make sure you don't run low.
Old 06-21-2011, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by xexok
That sounds pretty good. I know when I took my car to get new tires at DiscountTire they must use an air ratchet to tighten all the way because when I get home I check the torque. Every lug is different, some as low as 40 lbs and some as high as 90ish. Really wish places would finish lugs with a torque wrench to make sure they are good.
DiscountTire around my town in WEst Texas is very OCD about installing tires, and they finish the job with torque wrenches.

They're very professional around here.

Almost everyone needs a good tire shop, and if you need others things done, you just need to ask around for a good shop, watch them, and check for level and leaks before driving off.

I keep having trouble with service managers telling me it cost $130 to put plugs in a Dakota (yeah, its somewhat difficult), then, telling me on the phone after I leave that its $170. because it has coils on the plugs.

OF COURSE IT HAS COILS ON THE PLUGS!

And the service manager just looks up the hr price in a book so he's a BIG FAT LIAR.

This is the basic way shops rip off.

I even saw similiar at the eye DOCTOR.

My wife had dry eyes (lots of wind and dirt), and the DR was pissy with her (its dry here,OK? go get liquid tears at WM).

Then, the girl recepsionist starts prescibing when we paid, She might have gloucoma, you need our $150. test; the same one she got when eyes checked for glasses for $19.

Watch out of liars on anything to fit stuff not broken!

Know your labor people!
Old 06-24-2011, 02:37 PM
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you could've just popped your hood @ checked your oil cap for the weight that you needed


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