Just bought an NB Miata! What oil?

[Klutch9]

Title says it all. Mine is an NB1 1.8L, meaning no VVT. OM states to use 10w30 over 32 F, and 5w30 under 40 F. I'm thinking that 0w30 will be just fine? The car will only be driven in warm weather and garaged and stored during the winter. Engine has been well maintained and it runs like a top with 122,000 miles on the clock.

 

[Inspecktor]

I would run 0-30 all year.

 

[Danh]

10w30 may not be a bad choice: cold weather starts aren't an issue and 10w30 has, for example, naturally low volatility.

If I recall correctly, the NA/NB Miatas have hydraulic valve lifters that are prone to clogging so be vigilant about oil change intervals and use a high quality oil. With that generation and age, Mobil 1 High Mieage 10w30 would be my choice.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: Inspecktor
I would run 0-30 all year.


Agreed.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
OM states to use 10w30 over 32 F, and 5w30 under 40 F. The car will only be driven in warm weather and garaged and stored during the winter.


I don't see why you want to deviate from the factory recommendation? Mobil 1 10W30 or Pennzoil Platinum 10W30 would be great choices for this automobile. You said yourself that it will only be driven in warm weather. 0W30 will offer no benefit in this scenario.

 

[HKPolice]

If you're going to do a lot of short tripping then 0w30 for sure, even if you're driving in warm weather, 0w helps minimize wear during cold starts.

If you're going to drive it hard/track it then 10w30 for the lower NOACK & higher HTHS vis.

 

[901Memphis]

I vote 5w30 synthetic.

 

[JGmazda]

10w-30 or 5w30 in winter months. I have an "NA" with over 200K and have used just about everything. Honestly, these engines are great on oil and I would just go with a 5-7k OCI.

Keep the cooling system fresh and stick with a major brand and you'll be fine.

 

[EddieCairns]

The NB had solid tappets and did not suffer the start up chatter than some NA'a tend to.

I have an NB and use 5w30 all year round in the UK.

eddie

 

[robertcope]

I run Mobil 1 0W-40 in mine. It's a track rat, though, but I ran the same while it was on the street. A 0w30 would be just fine, too. These things are not very picky. This is the chart from the Australian owner's manual, you can see it is all over the place:

robert

 

[barkingspider]

10w30

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Engine may be more brand picky than (w) grade picky. Run what the engine says it likes - you may have to try a few.

 

[05LGTLtd]

Any 5w30 synthetic will be fine. What ever you can get for a good price/sale. They are not picky. I ran Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 in my '01.

With the $5 coupon at Walmart, I'd run edge most likely right now. Or the aap deal on synpower if you want to wait for the rebate.

 

[k24a4]

Like someone else said, the Miata is not finicky about oil weight. I use synthetic 5w30 in my NA. Many on Miata.net use Mobil 0w-40 which seems to help with lifter tic. I would use 0w30 without hesitation.

Congrats on the purchase; how 'bout some pics?

 

[OneEyeJack]

There's quit a range there that includes every viscosity on that chart.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Congrats on the fun car purchase!

If you're going to buy synthetic oil, I fail to see a reason to buy anything other than a 0W grade. I've never seen an argument made where some oil thickening as it cools is desirable. Sure, you may never start it in 0 deg F weather, but even at 80 deg F, you're likely to experience oil that's closer to the intended "30 grade" with a 0w30 than with a 5W- or a 10w30.

If you're contemplating between synthetic 0w30 or conventional 5w30 or 10w30, then that's something else (in my opinion), because you now have to weigh in a cost delta. But if you're paying the same for a 0w30 and a 10w30, I think the benefits of the 0w30 (easier starting in nearly all temperatures) outweigh benefits of the 10w30 (lower NOACK).

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Be cautious about spec'ing an oil grade without a service category. Basic Oil 101.
All ACEA B4 0w30 will be MUCH more viscous than an ILSAC GF5 10w30 from near freezing beyond OP temp. Likely any API CJ cat oil will be more viscous than a same grade current ILSAC resource conserving lube. Most ILSAC 0W are still not synthetic. (regardless of packaging ad copy)

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Be cautious about spec'ing an oil grade without a service category. Basic Oil 101.
All ACEA B4 0w30 will be MUCH more viscous than an ILSAC GF5 10w30 from near freezing beyond OP temp...


Given the context of the question (and the OP's location in the world), I think it's probably assumed that he's not shopping ACEA A3 lubricants. But yes, your point is well-taken.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Most ILSAC 0W are still not synthetic. (regardless of packaging ad copy)

You've got that backwards.
Virtually all 0W-XX oils are synthetic. There are a couple of syn' blends that you can count them on one hand.

To the OP, any 5w30 will work just fine is the modestly powered
Miata including Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-30. If you were interested in optimizing your viscosity choice that would require installing an oil pressure gauge or at least checking your OP. A track acquantance of mine ran Mobil 1 0W-20 with good results in his MX-5.