If you want your vehicle to last longer, one of the most important things you can do is stay on top of routine maintenance. When it comes to oil changes, many drivers opt to save a little more time and money by changing their oil themselves.

But what kind of oil does a 2016 Mazda CX-5 need, and how much?

Jerry

, the

super app

that helps you save on

car insurance

, is here with answers to these questions and more—plus, how you can save even more time and money as a car owner.

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2016 Mazda CX-5 engine oil capacity

How much engine oil does a 2016 Mazda CX-5 need? The answer depends on your engine type, which can vary depending on your vehicle’s trim level or other configurations.

If you're not sure what kind of engine your 2016 Mazda CX-5 has, there are a few ways you can find out. You can check your owner’s manual, your VIN, or information on the engine itself.

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0 engine has an oil capacity of 4.4 quarts or 4.2 liters. The SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine, on the other hand, has an oil capacity of 4.8 quarts, or 4.5 liters.

What kind of oil does a 2016 Mazda CX-5 need?

Just as important as using the right amount of engine oil, if not more so, is making sure you use the right kind.

Different motor oils will have different viscosities, or thicknesses, at different temperatures. In order for your vehicle’s motor oil to circulate through the system properly, it has to have the right viscosity. Using the wrong kind of motor oil could lead to costly damage to your engine or other components.

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 requires SAE 0W-20 engine oil. The “0” here refers to the oil’s viscosity when the engine is “cold” or not running, while the “20” refers to the oil’s viscosity at normal engine operating temperatures (around 212 degrees Fahrenheit).

Does it matter what brand of motor oil you use? Mazda recommends using Mazda Genuine Oil or Castrol as the first choice, but what’s most important is that the engine oil you pick has the correct viscosity grade and is certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Mazda’s top pick: To follow Mazda’s recommendations to the letter, use

Mazda Genuine oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2016 Mazda CX-5

Now that you know how much oil your 2016 Mazda CX-5 needs and what kind, how often should you actually change it?

Mazda recommends changing your engine oil when the wrench indicator light on your dashboard has come on. Generally speaking, it’s recommended you don’t go longer than 12 months or 10,000 miles without changing your 2016 Mazda CX-5’s oil.

However, what kind of motor oil you’re using and what kinds of driving conditions you’ve been subjected to can have a big impact on when you should actually change your oil. If you do a good amount of driving in stop-and-go traffic, up steep inclines, or on dusty roads, you might end up needing to change your oil sooner than you’d otherwise have to.

That’s why it’s recommended that you periodically check your engine oil to make sure it’s at the proper level. Experts often recommend checking your engine oil about once a month, or whenever you refuel.

If you notice any of these signs with your Mazda CX-5, you might be past due for an oil change:

Engine oil has become dark brown or black (as opposed to light brown)

Engine oil has a coarse or grainy texture

Low oil levels

Strange new engine noises

New smells from the engine, especially oil, burning, or smoke

Worsened engine performance

Check engine light

has come on

MORE:

Everything you need to know about Mazda electric cars

How to change your oil and oil filter

When it’s finally time to

change your oil

, here’s what you’ll need to get it underway:

Socket wrench

Philips and flathead screwdrivers

Filter wrench (tool used for removing oil filters)

Fresh engine oil

New oil filter

Drain pan

Funnel

New washer or drain plug seal for drain bolt

Gloves

Towel(s) for cleanup

To get started, let your engine run for a few minutes—this will warm up the oil and make it easier to drain. Then, you can lift up your hood and get started:

Remove the oil fill cap

Underneath your vehicle, use your screwdrivers to remove the protective panel that will give you access to the drain bolt and oil filter

Remove the drain bolt and let the oil empty into the drain pan, which could take about 10 minutes

Remove the oil filter and allow the excess oil to drain into the pan, then replace it with a new one

Replace the drain bolt with a new seal or washer

Returning to the hood of your car, add new engine oil and use your dipstick to check the level

Replace the oil fill cap

Once you’re done with that, let the engine run a few minutes again to verify everything’s working as it should, and look out for any leaks under your car. When the oil cools down again, you can check the oil level one last time and add more as needed.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

You’re not finished yet, though! Engine oil is a hazardous material, so you can’t just dump it down your drain or throw it out with your regular trash. Many cities have drop-off locations where you can dispose of used engine oil, and so do certain repair shops and car dealerships.

MORE:

10 ways to get cheap car insurance that’s actually good

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

And just like that, you’re ready to hit the road again. Now, if only

Mazda car insurance

shopping was that easy.

Actually, with the

Jerry

app, it can be! It only takes about 45 seconds to answer a few quick questions in the app, and then you can start comparing customized quotes from some of the nation’s top

car insurance

providers.

Once you find the right amount of coverage for you at the right rate, Jerry’s

friendly, experienced agents

can help you make the switch to your new policy and cancel your old one.

And since we know you have plenty of other car maintenance intervals to keep track of, we’ve got your insurance policy maintenance covered. Jerry doesn’t spam you or sell your information, but we will send you a fresh set of quotes every six months—that way, you can make sure you’re still getting a good deal!

“I felt like I was paying too much for my insurance policy, so I downloaded
Jerry
. I literally only typed in 3 pieces of info and Jerry found my current insurance. In a few minutes, they pulled up 2 Progressive policies that showed $900 in savings over 6 months!” —Maeve J.

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™

Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.

Try GarageGuard™