Best 5w20 ?

[Ndx]

hello again i runned test/quiz on Valvoline page
so should i consider my car as HIGH millage


and result

WHY WE RECOMMEND
MAXLIFE®
FOR YOUR MAZDA3

Because your MAZDA3 has 75,000 miles or more, and it performs differently than newer ones, we recommend that you use MaxLife Motor Oil. MaxLife contains added ingredients that help fight the aging of critical engine parts and improve the life of your vehicle

 

[Nickdfresh]

Most manufactorers don't seem to recommend using syn...

But if it were a Speed3, that's all I would use!

 

[XPR]

Originally Posted By: Ndx
hello again i runned test/quiz on Valvoline page
so should i consider my car as HIGH millage


and result

WHY WE RECOMMEND
MAXLIFE®
FOR YOUR MAZDA3

Because your MAZDA3 has 75,000 miles or more, and it performs differently than newer ones, we recommend that you use MaxLife Motor Oil. MaxLife contains added ingredients that help fight the aging of critical engine parts and improve the life of your vehicle


Thats good for a laugh.

 

[FrozenPilot]

More than 75k on a Mazda3? Thats just getting broken in! I have low mileage on my 6 with the 2.3L MZR. So far I've used Motorcraft and Havoline 5w-20. Couldn't tell you which one is better. Seems any name brand 5w-20 with an SM stamp will do just fine. I'm considering PP for my next change since I plan on doing some autocrossing. Might be overkill, might not.

The only part of the MZR that I'm not crazy about is the valve actuation; they don't use hydraulic lifters. So at some point in its life I expect to have to have to have the valve adjustment (kit) done. My hope is a good choice of oil can minimize the wear when I do drive spiritedly. My Saturn I've found synthetic's benefits to be nil. That thing is more like a compact truck motor though.

 

[NortheastPest]

Im just curious because I actually own a 2008 Mazda 3 non turbo sedan. I didnt know that they didnt recommend synthetic oil for these motors. I only did the first oil change on it so far and used Mobil 1 5w20. Why is it that they don't recommend the syn oil? is there a specific reason or is it just mazda trying to sell more motorcraft oil?

 

[Yuk]

Mazda doesn't recommend against synthetic, they just think it's overkill in their non-turbo engines. I've spoken directly with Mazda Canada's national service manager (I drive a 6 Sport, with the 2.3L), and he says he thinks many Canadian owners would be well advised to use a 0W-XX during the winter. Again, he doesn't say it's necessary, he just thinks syn. gives an extra measure of protection in the extreme cold that we endure during 10% of the winter.

I think the rule of thumb on BITOG is to buy based on price. I'm currently using Cdn Tire Formula 1 Synthetic 5W-20 that I bought on sale, for about $3.00/L.

P.S. Many Americans like Ford Motorcraft Oil, but there is no evidence that Cdn Motorcraft oil is the same as the southern stuff. Also, it is rarely if ever, as cheap as the U.S. stuff.

 

[Rolf]

Originally Posted By: Ndx
.... cuz Mazda dosent recommend Syn. oil ....


Only, as far as I know, for the rotary engined vehicles.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

While I like Pennzoil 5w-20 conventional, I agree with Pablo... Amsoil's 0w-20 is one of the best oils--if not *the* best oil-- you can possibly use.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Mazda = Ford = Motorcraft

 

[Yuk]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Mazda = Ford = Motorcraft


Many Americans like Ford Motorcraft Oil, but there is no evidence that Cdn Motorcraft oil is the same as the southern stuff. Also, it is rarely, if ever, as cheap as the U.S. stuff.

 

[Ndx]

nope its not About motorcraft my dealer use Penzoil as far as i know ...

And yes i saw e-mail from mazda where they are not recommending Syn Oils. for all mazda not just wankel engine i will sent email to mazda Canada.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Mazda = Ford = Motorcraft


I'm not a 100% sure, but I think the OEM fluids in mazdas are Idemitsu.

To the OP: I had fantastic results with Royal Purple 5w20. I wouldn't really recommend it though unless you were wanting do OCIs in the 10k to 15k range. Other than that, all the 5w20s are fantastic.

 

[Ndx]

i would love to go with Roayl Purple or Amsoil but im so paranoid about leaks or burning after switch ...

will powertrain warranty cover it ? i have like 10K left on warranty

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, the burning/leaking issues are a non-issue. Do you fear something in your engine is unsound

If so, then do a UOA ASAP to document the issue ..otherwise ..........enhance your calm and be well

 

[Ndx]

Yes i will do UOA.. can i do it after 5000Km or i need to have longer in engine ?
Do u think i can ask my dealer to take a sample when they are doing change ?

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

The best 5W20 is the kind that is rated GF4 API SM. My favorite kind. The average non-turbo can't stress it for appropriate OCI.

Different companies blend a smidge more of this or that additive than the other, but they have all passed the GF4/SM standard and as such are a far far better brew than the old days. Coupled with the better metals and fuel control of modern vehicles, this is surely a golden age of quality and durability in that regard. Especially when you consider the quality of the GroupII dinos. Can't hardly tell one UOA from another anymore, if you ever could.

 

[Ndx]

toocrazy2yoo

so what oils are rated GF4



oh beside, I was today at my Mazda Dealer and i asked if i can switch to Syn. and i was told i cant because i should do it from begging not now its to late it was master Technical who told me

 

[Yuk]

Originally Posted By: Ndx

oh beside, I was today at my Mazda Dealer and i asked if i can switch to Syn. and i was told i cant because i should do it from begging not now its to late it was master Technical who told me


The "master Technical" you spoke with is masterfully stupid. This dealer and technician should be reported to the Mazda Canada national service manager. If you can't find out who that is, contact Al Harvey, the Western Canadian Parts and Service Manager for Mazda Canada. He can be reached out of thier office in Richmond, British Columbia.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: Ndx
Yes i will do UOA.. can i do it after 5000Km or i need to have longer in engine ?
Do u think i can ask my dealer to take a sample when they are doing change ?


I wouldn't trust the dealer to do it properly, they might take the sample at the very beginning or very end of the drain, instead of doing it in the middle like they should.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Originally Posted By: Ndx
toocrazy2yoo

so what oils are rated GF4



oh beside, I was today at my Mazda Dealer and i asked if i can switch to Syn. and i was told i cant because i should do it from begging not now its to late it was master Technical who told me


Just about everything that's rated API-SM seems to be also rated ILSAC GF4. Dollar General is selling a store brand named Master-Blend, or Master-Tech, something or other like that, and it was SM/GF4 approved. For all I know it's a Warren product re-labeled for Dollar General. Whatever it is, and however it got there, it's a quart of 1.59 dino that withstood the testing imposed on the "brewer" that put the rating on the bottle. From that level on up, all the PCMO I've seen carries both ratings. It's a benchmark, a bottom line and as such, for most cars, adequate or better, whether the brew is dino or synthetic. All the other considerations appear to me to be matters of preference and price, the basics remain the same.

And yes, the guy at your dealer sounds a little nuts to me on the dino vs. synthetic. A lot of folks "up there" that know more than all but a few folks here blend and design these PCMOs to be compatible and beneficial, and there isn't much a wrencher at the Stealership can say to contradict that. In a healthy engine, once you define your service category, the price you want to pay, and how often you wish to change your oil to begin with, the actual oil you select, dino or synthetic, isn't going to hurt the engine. That donut with the API rating guarantees it.