90-100deg temps, GC or 5w-40 for Miata.

[mikeinaustin]

consider amsoil 5w40 european.

fyi, i'm still finding mobil 1 5w40 T&SUV all over the place. stocked up on some from pep boys and while i was at o'reillys looking for something else i found lots more.

 

[JGmazda]

madmax420- Why do you say that? Would you use a "GC" type oil in my situation? And if 15/40 oils are the ticket... am I stuck with an HDEO? Any recommendations?

 

[Quattro Pete]

quote:

---

Originally posted by madmax420:
Forget all that syn. mumbo jumbo.......15/40 will suit your car just fine, all other viscocity oils WILL thin out at high temps

---

Now that is what I'd call "mumbo jumbo"

I'd suggest analyzing viscosity changes in terms of temperature ranges before making blank statements like this. If anything, it is the syntetic oils that are more stable at temperature extremes.

 

[HTSS_TR]

quote:

---

Originally posted by surfstar:
Check out the specs for Maxlife Synthetic:

Maxlife Syn 10w30
100*C 11.51
40*C 72.28
TBN 10
Flash Pt *C 230
Pour Pt *C -42
Noack 8.31
date 9/2/2004

API SL/SJ, ACEA A3/B3/B4, BMW LL01/98, VW502.00/505.00, MB229.3/229.1

It is a "thicker" 10w30 at 11.51 Cst. Also free after rebate if they haven't reached the 100k rebate limit yet. Maxlife dino is only 10.6 Cst, so if you want thicker, get the syn.

---

Yesterday, I just changed to this MaxLife Syn 10w30 with VSOT for 2004 S2000. It is a little more expensive compares with Mobil1 at Walmart in 5 quarts jug. I bought this oil because of the rebate, I mailed the rebate coupon 2 weeks ago, hope that I am one of the 100k limit

My S2000 has OCI of 1 year with synthetic oil, mileage is a little low at 5-7k per year mostly city driving and short distances too, at about 5-6 miles a trip.

 

[vad]

GC is a great oil, period!
It's been analyzed to death, including the in-depth analysis by Terry.
Use it without reservations, especially in the non-turbo Miata, which is not that hard on oil.
I'm a long time Redline user.
Just recetly switched to GC and never looked back.

 

[madmax420]

JGmazda,I'm really confused about this GC oil. Because it's "German" does it make that much better than any other syn?
I know a shop out here in Cali. that does spec miata racing, he uses a high quality 15/40 in his cars and customers cars with outstanding results. And where you live it's gotta get hot as heck! A15/40 won't thin out at high temps. It will remain a 40 wt. Better oil pressure,longer engine life.

 

[shanneba]

GC has a HTHS of over 3.5 since it is rated ACAE A3/B3.

 

[JimKJSVT]

I'm no expert by any means, but if you search people on this site that know a lot more about oil than I are impressed with GC. The only downsides are that because it is borderline 40 weight and doesn't have friction modifiers some feel their engine is sluggish and doesn't rev as freely with GC and some notice a fuel mileage decrease. The way to know is to try and see. Definitely a Super product where UOAs are concerned. Another reason I'm afraid of redline is that it takes several changes sometimes to get a good UOA. I'm always afraid of something that radical going on. I've also heard of somebody getting better results with Castrol GTX than with mobil1. If there is a schaeffer's dealer near your zip code you couldn't go wrong with any of their products as far as I'm concerned. As long as there is no warranty issue, I would not hesitate whatsoever to use GC. Just my opinion. Just an oil-sick guy with too much time on my hands.

 

[JGmazda]

---15/40 grade comes in a non-diesel application?

JimKJSVT- Yes, GC is very highly rated on this site... But I do believe it fits newer cars better than older "Worn in" cars that originally called for higher viscosity oils. Maybe I'm wrong?? I dunno... Like you, Too much time on my hands!!!

 

[JimKJSVT]

It appears the MAZDA 1.8 Calls for 10w-30 (correct me if I'm wrong)
Since GC is a thick 30 weight and not a mid or thin 30 weight I think it would be ideal for your situation. I would probably do something off the wall like use 1 quart redline 10-w30 and the rest GC. I'm actually thinking of using 1.5 qt redline and 3.5 qt schaeffer's 9000 5w-40 in my Jeep Liberty. Those 2 oils have great HTHS numbers
The Esso XD-3 0w-30 is similar if not identical viscosity to GC.
Schaeffer's 9000 is CI4 plus,
Esso XD-3 0w-30 is CI4
and redline 10w-30 is CI4
You seem to be interested in HDEO ratings.

 

[JGmazda]

Thanks. I don't know if I'm a "mixologist" or not... But yes... HDEO ratings seem to have more add-paks that keep engines going under extremes. But most are Diesel rated... meaning they are not for cars due to those additives contaminating emission controls....Or so they say?

Being a synthetic, would GC shear down more or less?

I ran a "40" weight Dino in my car last year for awhile and my car seemed to like it. Smooth.

 

[madmax420]

JGmazda.........your high ambient temp. Forget all that syn. mumbo jumbo.......15/40 will suit your car just fine, all other viscocity oils WILL thin out at high temps

 

[JimKJSVT]

GC is SSSooo Close to a 40 weight I honestly think its perfect for your application. It is a dificult (not impossible)to shear 30 weight. Most who like GC describe it as quiet and smooth. Do a search here and see for yourself.

 

[madmax420]

JGmazda, Newer15/40 for egr.equipted diesels have lowerd phos.-zinc levels now a days for diesels with emissions and cats. CI4 /SL ratings.Wich means, cat. safe.

 

[JGmazda]

OK... so now the decision is to go with a HDEO or a "GC"..... Gosh... why can't Castrol make a "German" 10w-30???? 12-13-cst.???

As for the new diesel ratings? How do I know that still won't poison my Cat?

 

[pscholte]

The original formula SLX was HTHS 3.5 exactly.

 

[Quattro Pete]

quote:

---

Originally posted by JGmazda:
OK... so now the decision is to go with a HDEO or a "GC"..... Gosh... why can't Castrol make a "German" 10w-30???? 12-13-cst.???

---

What advantage do you believe a 10w-30 would have over a 0w-30?

 

[JGmazda]

I feel the 10W-weight would be what my car called for... and plus I have no reason to use and oil with a "0" rating in 90deg temps.

 

[GoldenRod]

Valvoline Synpower 5W-40 13.8 cSt@100C/81.3 cSt@40C.

Your typical 10W-40 is about 15+cSt@100.

So then the Synpower would be like a thin 40W at 212F. I'm thinking this is your hot ticket. (Pun intended of course).

 

[JGmazda]

Thanks madmax420 and JimKJSVT, It's got approx. 150K on it. Previous owner used dino 10w-30 (which is the correct oil recommended) and was religious about 3k OCI's. I switched to Mobil 1 10w-30 and my engine seemed to come down with a "Hot ticking" lifter problem. After trying Mobil 1 5w-30...same thing... I changed over to a Dino 10w-40 and it went away and engine seemed very smooth. Car is in excellent condition for it's age.

I realize many here love "GC" and I think they have a good point... But my experience with the 10w-40 dino was good... I just wanted something synthetic to handle the high heat issues we have every summer here in Phoenix. I could grill steaks on my hood and engine if I wanted to!!!

In that case... I thought a Synthetic might help by having a higher flash point than dino. Since Mobil had a 10w-40 listed..(But no one could ever find it on the shelves!) I've been looking for a better solution. Mobil's marketing sucks as far as I'm concerned. 4-5 different oils with 2 sub-categories EP & regular... C'mon Mobil... Let me be you marketing guy... Make a primo Oil for enthusiasts out there or for people who want the best. Or? Make an HDEO dino for cars. Simplify!!!!