Mazda Skyactiv 2.5 (NA GDI) Engine - Switching to M1 ESP 0w30 Year Round

[carneasada]

Hello all,

I have a 2017 Mazda6 with a 2.5 NA Skyactiv (GDI) engine with 70K miles. I live in Wyoming and currently use Valvoline EPHM 5w30 during the summer months and switch to Valvoline EPHM 0W20 in the winter months - 5K OCIs. I want to make the switch to M1 ESP 0W30 year round for simplicity's sake. Does anyone have experience using M1 ESP 0w30 in a NA Skyactiv engine?

My work requires me to make more short trips than I'd like - not allowing the engine to get to full temp - but I try to drive the car for at least a 30 mile trip at highway speed once a week to "stretch its legs." Fuel dilution does not seem to be a problem per UOA from Blackstone but I realize their analysis can be suspect in that regard. Wear metals have not been an issue, however.

M1 ESP 0W30 is not API SP certified but it "meets or exceeds API engine test requirements" which, in theory, means it protects against LSPI. I've read other threads on here arguing back and forth about LSPI being a concern for turbo engines that use ESP 0W30; is this still a concern for a NA Skyactiv engine?

Or, I can just stick with Valvoline EPHM 5w30/0W20 (if it ain't broke...).

Thanks!

 

[YZJB]

I would run the 0W-30 year-round without hesitation. Excellent oil and suits that engine perfectly.

As an aside, no you don’t have to worry at all about LSPI in a non-turbo Skyactiv.

 

[Dave Hess]

Do these engines have problems with junk building up on the valves ?

 

[YZJB]

Do these engines have problems with junk building up on the valves ?

Usually not an issue with these engines. I’ve seen plenty of high-mileage ones with no sign of cold-start misfires or poor running which is usually associated with carboned up inlet valves

 

[Jetronic]

I would run the 0W-30 year-round without hesitation. Excellent oil and suits that engine perfectly.

As an aside, no you don’t have to worry at all about LSPI in a non-turbo Skyactiv.

And if the gearbox programming favours downshifting over boosting, you don't need to worry about it with a Turbo-GDI either.

 

[ka9mnx]

First off, congratulations on surviving Wyoming Winter's.

 

[02zx9r rev2]

Go for it.

 

[We're Metals]

Based on your location Id just stick with 0w-20 and be done with it. You're not fixing anything stepping up to the 0w-30. But thats just me.

 

[dkryan]

“….Or, I can just stick with Valvoline EPHM 5w30/0W20 (if it ain't broke...). ”

THIS….^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[dkryan]

Or, for “simplicity’s sake, just use the Valvoline EP HM 5w-30 year round.

Even in wintertime Wyoming, where you are not going to notice any difference between the 0w ESP and the 5w Valvoline.