The 2012 Mazda 3 is a sporty little car available as a sedan or hatchback. And its powerful engine lineup and exceptional handling make this car enjoyable for weekday commutes or Sunday cruises. But to keep your Mazda in optimal condition, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity—which is 4.4, 4.5, 5.3, or 6 quarts, depending on its engine.

As a modern car owner, you have to deal with many expenses. And between

car insurance

payments, the cost of fuel, and

routine vehicle maintenance

, it can feel like you're constantly dumping money into your ride. Replacing the oil in your Mazda at home can be a great way to cut down on those expenses—but you'll need to consult your owner's manual for the oil capacity first.

If you don't have a manual or just need some extra guidance, we're here to help. This article will cover everything you need to know about your 2012 Mazda 3 engine oil capacity so you can get started changing your oil like a seasoned pro.

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2012 Mazda 3 engine oil capacity

The 2012 Mazda 3 is available with four different engine options, and the oil capacity is different for each one!

Engine	Oil capacity
MZR 2.0-liter engine	4.5 quarts (4.3 liters)
SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine	4.4 quarts (4.2 liters)
MZR 2.3-liter DISI Turbo engine	6 quarts (5.7 liters)
MZR 2.5-liter engine	5.3 quarts (5 liters)

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Because we're dealing with several different engine sizes and oil capacities, it's important to note the difference between

engine displacement

and oil capacity. Your engine's displacement refers to the total volume of space taken up by your Mazda's cylinders, while its oil capacity is the amount of oil the motor stores for lubrication. These numbers represent totally different concepts and should never be used interchangeably.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Mazda 3 take?

Now that we've covered your engine oil capacity, we need to discuss the oil type. Yep, there are many different kinds of engine oil, and you'll need to fill your Mazda with the correct type. Again, your motor will determine the type of oil you should use.

Engine	Oil type
MZR 2.0-liter engine	SAE 0W-20
SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine	SAE 0W-20
MZR 2.3-liter DISI Turbo engine	SAE 5W-30
MZR 2.5-liter engine	SAE 0W-20

If you're interested in learning the meaning behind those oil codes, don't worry. We'll cover that information, too.

The "SAE" refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the group of auto pros responsible for assigning codes to motor oil. And the numbers describe the oil's viscosity or thickness at cold and hot temperatures.

The first number explains how thick the oil is when your engine is cold—that one is fairly easy to remember because it's next to the "W," which means winter. The final number describes the oil's thickness once your motor is running and hot.

We use these oil codes to help us identify the oil's intended use. Small numbers in a code signify thinner oils, which are ideal for automotive motors because they move smoothly and efficiently through the engine.

How often should you change the oil on a 2012 Mazda 3?

Regardless of the engine in your car, Mazda recommends replacing the oil in your 2012 Mazda 3 every 7,500 miles. If you prefer to track your oil change intervals in months, you should change the oil every six months.

But you also need to check your oil's level and condition in between changes. We encourage you to get into the habit of inspecting your oil every other time you're filling up at the gas pump. But no matter what, you should check your oil at least once a month.

When you pull the dipstick and check your oil, look for these signs that it needs to be replaced:

The oil is black or dark brown (clean oil looks very similar to dark honey and is slightly transparent)

Your oil is muddy, chunky, or sludgy in consistency

The motor oil is gritty or grainy

Your Mazda's engine is emitting foul odors, like oil, smoke, or burning

Your Mazda 3 engine performance suddenly falls

Your Mazda engine is making strange or new sounds, like knocking

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How to change your 2012 Mazda 3 oil and oil filter

After learning your Mazda 3 oil capacity and type, all that's left to do is roll up your sleeves and start changing it. These are the tools and supplies you'll need:

A 17-millimeter socket and a ratchet wrench

Something to lift your Mazda 3 off the ground, like ramps or a jack and jack stands

A torque wrench

An oil filter wrench

Clean 0W-20 or 5W-30 replacement oil (depending on engine type)

A clean oil filter

A drain pan

A funnel

A towel or rag for the mess

Before you crawl under your Mazda, start it up and let it idle for about five minutes. While not mandatory, this step will cause your engine to warm up enough to allow the oil to drain rapidly. Once the car is warm, turn it off and start working on the steps below.

Remove your Mazda's oil fill cap and the dipstick (this allows the oil to drain quickly by removing the vacuum).

Crawl beneath your Mazda 3 and remove the oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to contain the used oil as it drains.

While the oil drains, remove the old oil filter.

Lubricate your new oil filter by adding a thin layer of clean oil to the gasket before screwing it into place. Don't over-tighten the oil filter—turn it on only until it feels snug.

Reinstall the oil drain bolt and then use your torque wrench to tighten it to 28 lb-ft.

Fill your 2012 Mazda with clean oil.

After you complete these steps, start your Mazda one more time and let it run for about 30 seconds. Then, turn it off and

use your dipstick

to check the oil level and add more if necessary.

As your final step, you need to recycle your old oil. You can do this by draining the dirty oil into the new oil container before returning it to the parts store.

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