Mazda Mazda6 Maintenance Schedule (2018–2021)

On the 2018–2021 Mazda6, Mazda's US schedule has you replace the engine oil and filter when the wrench indicator light comes on, and at least once every 12 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km) since the last change. The cabin air filter is replaced every 15,000 miles (≈24,000 km) or 24 months, the spark plugs every 75,000 miles (120,000 km) on the 2.5L but every 40,000 miles (64,000 km) on the 2.5L Turbo, and the coolant first at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years.

This guide covers the third-generation (GJ/GL) Mazda6 in the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 model years, with the 2.5L SKYACTIV-G and the 2.5L SKYACTIV-G Turbo. The figures come from Mazda's US scheduled maintenance booklets for those four years. It does not cover Mazda6 models from before the 2018 model year, even though the generation began in 2014, and this page gives no figures for them.

Quick reference: Mazda6 schedule

These are the normal (Schedule 1) values. Mazda marks each item R (replace) or I (inspect), and this guide keeps those verbs.

Schedule 1 and Schedule 2

Mazda's US schedules come in two parts. Schedule 1 is the normal one, and the table above uses it. Schedule 2 is for severe use and has its own fixed intervals for several items. Most are shorter, but its cabin and engine air filter mileages are higher than Schedule 1's.

For the oil, Mazda names the severe conditions: extended idling or low-speed operation, such as a police car, taxi or driving school car, and dusty conditions. The Schedule 2 values for the other items are given with each item below. They are separate from the normal values and are never folded into them.

Engine oil, filter and tire rotation

Engine oil and filter. The US default is Mazda's Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance. Replace the oil and filter when the wrench indicator light comes on, and at least once every 12 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km) since the last change. Reset the oil data after every change.

With extended idling or low-speed operation, or in dusty conditions, Mazda uses fixed maintenance instead: replace the oil and filter every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months.

Tire rotation. Rotate the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km). Under Schedule 2, rotate every 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Mazda gives no time limit for rotation.

Filters, spark plugs, coolant and drive belts

Engine air filter. On both engines, Mazda marks it R at 22,500 miles (36,000 km) or 36 months, and again at 45,000 miles (≈72,000 km) or 72 months. Under Schedule 2, replace it every 30,000 miles (≈48,000 km) or 36 months. In very dusty or sandy areas, Mazda says to clean it, and if necessary replace it, more often.

Cabin air filter. Schedule 1 marks R every 15,000 miles (≈24,000 km) or 24 months. Under Schedule 2, replace it every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) or 2 years.

Spark plugs. The two engines have different intervals. On the 2.5L SKYACTIV-G, replace the plugs every 75,000 miles (120,000 km). On the 2.5L SKYACTIV-G Turbo, replace them every 40,000 miles (64,000 km). Mazda gives the same interval under severe conditions, and no time limit. The 2018 booklet labels the two plug rows by engine, while the 2019 to 2021 booklets label one for the Turbo and the other as every engine except the Turbo. The values are the same in all four years, so check which engine your Mazda6 has before using either figure.

Engine coolant. The first replacement is at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years. After that, replace it every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years. The interval is the same under severe conditions. Mazda recommends FL-22 coolant and warns that other coolant may seriously damage the engine and cooling system.

Drive belts. This is an inspection, not a replacement. Schedule 1 marks I at 22,500 miles (36,000 km) or 36 months, and again at 45,000 miles (≈72,000 km) or 72 months. Under Schedule 2, inspect them every 20,000 miles (≈32,000 km) or 24 months.

Brakes, steering and suspension

Brake items are inspections. Mazda marks the disc brakes I every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months, and the brake lines, hoses and connections I every 15,000 miles (≈24,000 km) or 24 months. Under Schedule 2, inspect the disc brakes every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months, and also inspect the brake fluid level.

Steering and suspension are inspected every 15,000 miles (≈24,000 km) or 24 months, and the interval is the same under severe conditions. Mazda lists steering operation and linkages, the front and rear suspension, ball joints, wheel bearing axial play and the driveshaft dust boots.

What Mazda does not schedule for the Mazda6

Two items that generic checklists include have no interval in the US schedules in Mazda's booklets for these years:

• Brake fluid replacement. There is no row in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. Schedule 2 only inspects the brake fluid level.
• Automatic transmission fluid. There is no row in the 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2021 US schedules.

This guide gives no figure for either. If a shop quotes one of them as factory scheduled, ask which page of the maintenance booklet it comes from.