If your 2018 Mazda CX-5 is ready for its next oil change, it’s helpful to know its oil capacity—which can range from 4.2 to 5.1 liters, depending on its engine type.

There’s a lot to like about the 2018 Mazda CX-5. After all, it did get an elusive 10/10 rating from Car and Driver. And considering its responsive handling coupled with a cabin designed with the finer details in mind, it’s easy to see why.

But if you intend to keep enjoying your 2018 Mazda CX-5 for the long haul, you’re going to need to keep up with

proper maintenance

like oil changes—and if you’re taking care of your oil change yourself, you’ll need to know your oil capacity. Not sure what it is? You’ve come to the right place, because you can find your answer below.

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2018 Mazda CX-5 engine oil capacity

The 2018 Mazda CX-5’s engine oil capacity depends on what type of engine it has. There are two gasoline-powered engine options for the model year, as well as one diesel-powered option.

If your CX-5 takes diesel fuel, you probably already know which engine yours has. But if you drive one of the gasoline-powered options and you're not sure which type of engine you have, there are several places you can check to find out, including your vehicle’s purchase or registration papers or the information on the engine itself.

Once you know what type of engine your Mazda CX-5 has, you can check the specifications in your owner’s manual to determine your engine oil capacity.

These are the oil capacities based on the different engine types available on the 2018 Mazda CX-5:

2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine: 4.2 liters, or about 4.4 quarts

2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine: 4.5 liters, or about 4.8 quarts

2.2-liter SKYACTIV-D engine: 5.1 liters, or about 5.2 quarts

When looking at your engine type, it might be easy to confuse the “2 liters” or “2.5 liters” for your oil capacity, but these actually refer to your engine displacement, which is the total volume taken up by your engine cylinders. This number doesn’t have anything to do with your oil capacity.

What kind of oil does a 2018 Mazda CX-5 need?

So, that’s roughly how much engine oil you’ll need for an oil change. But what kind of engine oil do you need to have on hand?

That, too, depends on your engine type—and using the correct kind is important, otherwise you risk causing serious damage to your engine or other vehicle parts.

These are the oil viscosity grades that 2018 Mazda CX-5s require based on their engine type:

2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine: 0W-20 engine oil

2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine: 0W-20 engine oil

2.2-liter SKYACTIV-D engine: 0W-30 engine oil

Here’s a breakdown of what these numbers mean. Using the first viscosity grade as an example, the “0” refers to the oil’s viscosity at lower temperatures before you’ve started your CX-5’s engine. The “20” or “30” refers to its viscosity at higher operating temperatures.

For the diesel-powered engine, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 owner’s manual recommends using Mazda Genuine Oil as a first pick for optimal performance and fuel efficiency. It also cautions that when Mazda Genuine Oil isn’t available, ACEA C3 0W-30 should be used. Using an incompatible oil option here could run the risk of damaging the diesel particulate filter.

Whatever engine oil you choose, be sure to verify it has an API certification seal, which confirms it met the necessary quality standards.

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How often to change oil on a 2018 Mazda CX-5

Mazda generally recommends that you

change your engine oil

every 7,500 miles.

However, if your Mazda CX-5 is regularly experiencing more severe driving conditions, like dusty dirt roads, driving up and down steep inclines, or spends extended periods idling in heavy traffic, you might need to change your engine oil as often as every 5,000 miles.

Since the ideal time to change your engine oil can somewhat vary, it’s helpful to periodically check your engine oil—and car experts recommend doing so monthly, or every other time you refuel your vehicle. When you catch the signs that it’s time to change your engine oil, you can do so earlier and minimize sludge buildup and other problems that can cause wear and tear on your engine.

If your Mazda CX-5 is past due for an oil change, you might notice some of the following symptoms:

Engine oil is black or brown, as opposed to a translucent light brown

Engine oil has taken on a

grainy texture

, indicating excess debris buildup

Burning or oil scents

Low oil level

Rough-running engine

Declining engine performance

Worsening

gas mileage

Indicator lights have turned on (such as your

check engine light

or a

low oil pressure light

)

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Once you’ve decided it’s time for that oil change, you’ll have to gather some supplies. These might include:

Socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

Replacement oil filter

New engine oil with the correct viscosity grade

Replacement washer to use with your drain bolt

Oil drain pan

Funnel

Gloves

Towel(s) for cleaning up

Sealable container to recycle the used motor oil

When you have the materials you need, here are the general steps involved with an oil change:

Let your engine run a few minutes, then turn it off—this heats up the motor oil, which will help it drain more quickly

Prop open your hood and remove the oil filler cap

Underneath your CX-5, remove the drain bolt and washer, allowing the used oil to empty into the drain pan

Replace the old oil filter with a new one

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer

Back at the oil filler cap, add new engine oil to the proper level, then replace the cap

That’s essentially all there is to it! Once you’ve made it this far, it’s time to check your work and wrap up:

Let your engine run a few minutes again to circulate the oil, then turn it off again

Check around for any leaks

Verify any indicator lights have turned off

Reset your oil maintenance reminder

After the engine and oil have cooled again, use your dipstick to check your oil level one last time, and top it off as needed

Transfer the used oil to a sealed container and recycle it at the proper facility

And just like that, you have one less maintenance item to worry about for the next several thousand miles.

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