This thread has such fascinating reading and has been so informative I had to come back. What I'm taking away is that for MOST vehicles in the US, a thinner oil will be just fine, and the engine will last a long time. However, there are some conditions or areas in the US (mountains, towing, towing in the mountains, etc) where the thinner oil's capacity to keep metal parts from touching each other will be compromised, and in these situations a thicker oil is in some cases required by the manufacturer.
I'll read the rest in a bit, but wanted to comment on these juicy tidbits while they're fresh:
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
As said before, 0W-16 should be fine as long as the vehicle is driven in a benign way on the public streets, and no undue extended periods of stress is put on the engine.
How else and where else are you going to drive a 4-cylinder Toyota Camry?
OP I agree for your driving conditions, you should be perfectly fine with 0w16, especially since your Toyota was designed for it. However if you decide to tow or drive with a heavy load in the mountains in very hot temperatures on a consistent basis, you may want to consider a heavier oil choice.
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: spasm3
My 2017 CX-5 manual states that in the USA you must use 0w20 for the Warranty.
So..... Here we are, after arguing back and forth for over 12 pages. Posting "engineering letters" older than fossilized invertebrates. And comparing thinner oils to Bluetooth, cooling systems, and everything else except Grandma's chocolate chip cookies. And we still keep hitting the same wall.....
So tell me, what is going to be your choice in this matter? Are you going to preserve your new car warranty with Mazda, by running the oil they are telling you that you must use? Or are you going to, "protect your engine" with that wonderful, thicker oil the Mexicans are all using? Seeing as we're both new car owners, I'm curious, which in your case, do you think is the smarter play to make?
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: billt460
What is to be gained by going against manufacturer specifications and recommendations by using a thicker oil?
I don't know, I'd have to ask the engineers that built my car[/B] vs the corporate brass that wrote the warranty. Mazda seems to think thicker oil is better for Canadians and Mexicans, but not for Americans( which is where CAFE is in effect).
My 2017 CX-5 manual states that in the USA you must use 0w20 for the Warranty. The manual also states for Canada, and Mexico that you should use 5W-30, and only if 5W-30 is unavailable you should use 5W-20.
So according to the engineers, 5W30 is the best oil for Canada to Mexico, but not in between. CAFE is the only reason here.
So the engineers think something is to be gained with thicker oil, but only in Canada and Mexico.
In my research before buying my CX5 ( great vehicle by the way), I read that the SkyActiv engines were designed and built from the onset with 0w20 oil in mind. This is my first time as well running this grade but I have no worries in doing so. I will stick with major brands that meet d1G2 specs even though I don’t have the turbo. The engine runs quiet and smooth and frankly, these engines don’t work hardly at all in normal day to day driving.
I looked, really hard, at getting a CX-5 and almost did but it was a little small for 4. Agree that CAFE is the reason, since the CX-9 is specified for 5w30. It has the exact same engine, but with turbocharging. So 5w30 would function just fine in the CX-5 IMO.
Originally Posted By: Dallas69
If you want to see what viscosity is best for the engine, just look at the severe service in the OM.
If you want to see what is best for the car company to meet cafe, look at the normal service.
Going up a grade will never hurt anything.Engines are not that picky for 99% of the cars.
Has anyone here actually know anyone who had any oil related warranty claims?and denied because of using wrong oil?
Never seen a warranty denied (despite many dire warnings about it) due to oil viscosity. Not changing, yes. Viscosity, no.
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Shannon, on your graphic it shows the US circle ending out around 3000rpm which is indicative of a normal urban grocery getter. These studies however try to lump everyone into a certain range. For a driver living in the Rockies, the southwest desert, the farm areas of the Midwest and lots of rural places in between, driving patterns are completely different than in say Orange County CA. Higher speeds and engine loads would place it closer to the autobahn.
Point. Downtown Los Angeles driving is very different than running the Ike Gauntlet.