0W20 Valvoline Advanced 2k mi, 2016 Mazda 3 2.0 NA 42k mi

[Nessism1]

The wear metals are low. Yes, the oil is diluted with fuel, but it doesn't seem to be wearing out the engine. That said, I'd be doing 6 month oil changes if you are not already. Moving to 5w-30 is also an option, but with a short tripped car, the thicker oil won't flow as great when truly cold, so I'm not sure. I say this as someone with a similar short trip city driving schedule. 0W-20 will flow easier when cold, but DI engines dilutes, so where is the balance with moving to a thicker oil?

 

[kschachn]

Flow is irrelevant. If your oil pump is working then the oil will flow.

Flow is one of those things people seem to worry about quite often yet it is one of the least worries as long as the winter rating is appropriate for the starting conditions. After that the oil will flow unless there is a mechanical defect. If that's the case then no oil will cure that.

Here, unless you are starting below -30 or so then both oils will flow.

 

[Lilliston]

My 2014 Mazda 3 also sees 90% city (25 min commute to work) and even with short trips to the corner store I don’t have ANY fuel dilution.

Isn't this your UOA, showing nearly 5% fuel dilution in that car? I didn't think anyone here paid any attention to Blackstone's strictly-inferred fuel content numbers.

Thread 'Havoline Pro-DS 5w30 -- 9,044 mi -- 2014 Mazda 3 with 2.0L'

Mar 11, 2022

This is the third and final sample of this oil.

I dragged this out until 15% oil life left and was just itching with anticipation to get under the car and change the oil and have a look around to make sure all is well.

The 2nd sample @ 7,540 mile UOA thread can be found ——> HERE

The 1st sample @ 5,305 mile UOA thread can be found ——> HERE

Can't wait for the new Havoline Pro RS formula to finally hit ChinaMart shelves so i can try that out.

I sent a second sample to Oil Analyzers for a second opinion. I'm not sure where they got Diesel out of a Mazda 3 but...

• Artem
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Used Oil Analysis - Gasoline

• 
• 

 

[Urshurak776]

FYI. I'm using the Valvoline Advanced 12 qt garage box from Walmart to save a few bucks. $58. If Wally's doesn't have it, you can get it directly from Valvoline with free shipping. They even double box to arrive in good shape.

Thanks. I’ll check it out.

 

[Urshurak776]

Flow, as already pointed out, is completely a non issue when you have a positive displacement oil pump. Unless the oil is inappropriate for the local conditions, the pump will stay out of pressure relief.

5W-30 is rated down to -22F. My son is running 10W-30 in his Kia. It was in the teens a few days ago and no issues. 10W is good at 0F. You could go with a 0W-30? Good to -40F.

Least understood concept on this board.

 

[Artem]

Isn't this your UOA, showing nearly 5% fuel dilution in that car? I didn't think anyone here paid any attention to Blackstone's strictly-inferred fuel content numbers.

Thread 'Havoline Pro-DS 5w30 -- 9,044 mi -- 2014 Mazda 3 with 2.0L'

Mar 11, 2022

This is the third and final sample of this oil.

I dragged this out until 15% oil life left and was just itching with anticipation to get under the car and change the oil and have a look around to make sure all is well.

The 2nd sample @ 7,540 mile UOA thread can be found ——> HERE

The 1st sample @ 5,305 mile UOA thread can be found ——> HERE

Can't wait for the new Havoline Pro RS formula to finally hit ChinaMart shelves so i can try that out.

I sent a second sample to Oil Analyzers for a second opinion. I'm not sure where they got Diesel out of a Mazda 3 but...

• Artem
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Used Oil Analysis - Gasoline

• 
• 

Oh I forgot about that analysis. Thanks for the reminder.

Regardless. Mine is labeled a yellow 2, not a RED 5 on the Scale and it has 9,000 miles on the oil, not 2,000 miles.

 

[Lilliston]

Regardless. Mine is labeled a yellow 2, not a RED 5 on the Scale and it has 9,000 miles on the oil, not 2,000 miles.

Quite right. They seem to stop measuring at 5% (doesn't it just say ">5%"?), so OP could have 5.2% or 7% or who knows what.

 

[kschachn]

Quite right. They seem to stop measuring at 5% (doesn't it just say ">5%"?), so OP could have 5.2% or 7% or who knows what.

Yes they stop, mainly due to the specific ASTM test procedure and how it relates to the gas chromatography equipment being used. The boiling point peaks start to overlap sometimes and make analysis unreliable.

Other equipment can distinguish fuel at a much higher level.