5w40 instead of 5w30 for Mazda MX-5?

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Hi everybody,
so we're talking about Mazda MX-5 2008 2.0L engine.
About 50% of driving is hard and high revs (mountains, x-cross, drifting, etc).

Local climate is quite hot - similar to Arizona:
35 C /95 F at summer
10 C /50 F at winter

Local Mazda says 5w30 oil should be used.
Most syntetics available locally are 5w40.

Given all the base info - is it OK to use 5w40 in those conditions or i should follow 5w30 recommendation?

How Valvoline SynPower is? Good? (it's available locally at 5w30).

Thanks,
Gennady
 
I would just use a good synthetic like Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30...

You could also try German Castrol 0W-30 SYNTEC which is actually a little "thicker" at temperature than most 30 weight oils...
 
never saw Pennzoil producsts available locally.

doesn't 40 numbers says that the oil iwll be thicker at high temp than 30?
 
LOL For some reason I thought you were in Arizona, not Israel...

I'd look for Shell Helix 5W-40, Castrol Edge 0W-40, or Mobil1 0W-40 if available there...
 
For a non-FIed MX5, I'd say any good dino 5w30 is fine.

I use M1 5w30 and I AM in Arizona and the summer temps are more like 110F+.
 
Shell is not available also.
Mobile 1, Motul and Castrols are priced 2 times than anything else.

Liqui-Moly is very popular among performance cars owners (including FI-ed) - but it's only 5w40.

ELF (both French and Turkish) and AC Delco are also available.

So what about the main topic - 5w40 vs recommended 5w40?
 
i have got a copy of the AUS manual for the 2L. it shows the same oil viscosity recommendations as the other miatas, as a matter of fact, it is the same graphic. so you can use 20w50 and 20w20 in the car if you wish, depending on the ambient temps. i have 123k on a 1.8L using the M1 0w40, but i am currently running a test on a 10k interval of 0w20. if you are looking for longevity, use any MB 229.5 oil. in your environment, either xw30 or xw40 would work find, although many in the SW US (approx the same ambients as your area) are using the 0w20 as well.
 
For your ambient temps and your driving style I would run the 40wt and never look back. Won't hurt a thing.
 
just to clarify - i'm not looking for longevity.
replace oil every 5,000-7,000 miles is fine by me.

i'm looking for better lubrication and engine protection.
especialy during those hard drives.
 
but then again in hot climate and hard driving 40 should be better over 30, shouldn't it?

i don't get why local mazda insist on 30......
maybe it's because half-synt 5w40 is rare?
 
Originally Posted By: Croc
but then again in hot climate and hard driving 40 should be better over 30, shouldn't it?

i don't get why local mazda insist on 30......
maybe it's because half-synt 5w40 is rare?


I'm in Phoenix and my brother runs 5w20 year round with no issues.

I don't know if the 40 weight would protect better, but I doubt it would hurt anything. If it were my car, I would run the 5w30, but that's just my opinion.
 
Originally Posted By: Croc
Hi everybody,
so we're talking about Mazda MX-5 2008 2.0L engine.
About 50% of driving is hard and high revs (mountains, x-cross, drifting, etc).

Local climate is quite hot - similar to Arizona:
35 C /95 F at summer
10 C /50 F at winter

Local Mazda says 5w30 oil should be used.
Most syntetics available locally are 5w40.

Given all the base info - is it OK to use 5w40 in those conditions or i should follow 5w30 recommendation?

How Valvoline SynPower is? Good? (it's available locally at 5w30).

Thanks,
Gennady

Im becoming more of a beleaver when it comes to thicker oils. My wifes 97 Jetta has always had a lifter noise with 5W and 10W30's...the car is speced for these oil. I decided to give Valvoline 10W40 a try...sounds much better. The Tacoma is in the same boat just alittle more valve train noise. Im giving GC a try for the Tacoma.
 
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