Hello all -
After years of enjoying this site, I've finally joined. I have a couple of questions regarding the choice of motor oil for one of my vehicles, a 2009 Mazda 5 2.3 l inline-4 w/ 5-speed manual. I've searched the forum, and have gotten some good ideas, but would like to ask my questions anyway.
1. The manufacturer specifies 5W-20 year round. We had a particularly harsh winter (the coldest in well over 100 years, with many days in excess of -30 C) this year, and I'd read about this well-regarded Mazda 0W-20 motor oil. I asked at the dealer, but they said that 0W-20 was not back-spec'ed to 2009, and to use only 5W-20. With only a few weeks remaining on the drivetrain warranty, I took a chance and changed over to Mobil 1 0W-20. I've found the engine a bit noisier (possibly my imagination) but wonder whether I made a good choice.
Comments? Recommendations? Would the addition of a moly additive be helpful?
2. I'm now ready to change oil again, and am wondering about whether to go back to a 5W-20, or even a 5W-30. (Per the manual, 5W-30 is fine for Mexican users, so I figure it can't hurt.) Reasons I'd consider changing:
- The little 2.3 works hard in this vehicle. At highway speed (100 km/hr), it spins at 3K.
- The 2.3 has a timing chain rather than a belt. I've read that timing chains are bad for shearing oil.
To start with a thin oil (5W-20) and have it sheared down in a hard-working engine scares me a bit - I'd feel a bit better with 5W-30 in the summer, and perhaps 0W-30 in the winter.
Unfortunately, while Mobil 1 & Pennzoil Platinum do come on sale here, the good prices are always on 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30. 0W-xx is always expensive.
Anyway, I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts.
After years of enjoying this site, I've finally joined. I have a couple of questions regarding the choice of motor oil for one of my vehicles, a 2009 Mazda 5 2.3 l inline-4 w/ 5-speed manual. I've searched the forum, and have gotten some good ideas, but would like to ask my questions anyway.
1. The manufacturer specifies 5W-20 year round. We had a particularly harsh winter (the coldest in well over 100 years, with many days in excess of -30 C) this year, and I'd read about this well-regarded Mazda 0W-20 motor oil. I asked at the dealer, but they said that 0W-20 was not back-spec'ed to 2009, and to use only 5W-20. With only a few weeks remaining on the drivetrain warranty, I took a chance and changed over to Mobil 1 0W-20. I've found the engine a bit noisier (possibly my imagination) but wonder whether I made a good choice.
Comments? Recommendations? Would the addition of a moly additive be helpful?
2. I'm now ready to change oil again, and am wondering about whether to go back to a 5W-20, or even a 5W-30. (Per the manual, 5W-30 is fine for Mexican users, so I figure it can't hurt.) Reasons I'd consider changing:
- The little 2.3 works hard in this vehicle. At highway speed (100 km/hr), it spins at 3K.
- The 2.3 has a timing chain rather than a belt. I've read that timing chains are bad for shearing oil.
To start with a thin oil (5W-20) and have it sheared down in a hard-working engine scares me a bit - I'd feel a bit better with 5W-30 in the summer, and perhaps 0W-30 in the winter.
Unfortunately, while Mobil 1 & Pennzoil Platinum do come on sale here, the good prices are always on 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30. 0W-xx is always expensive.
Anyway, I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts.