oil, filter, ZDDP, and OCI for 2009 miata

[ragtophardtop]

Hi all, I’d like some input on how to manage the oil and oil filter in my miata. I’ll follow the format from the second thread: 1. 2009 Miata, 60k miles. 2. Owner’s manual says 5w-20, or 5w-30 if 5w-20 is not avail. Quality designation SM or ILSAC. Change intervals either 7.5k miles (1 year) or 5k miles (4 months). Currently running Mobile 1 EP 0w-20 and mobile 1 oil filter (extended, higher end version) based on bob’s rec. I’m likely to go with the shorter recommended OCI for safety. Current at 5k miles and the oil has turned a darker brown but it’s still healthy looking. 3. Pac Northwest 4. I drive hard but I don’t redline it, driving it like it was intended especially shifting through the gears. I take a lot of longer trips mixed in with daily driving in the city, usually not in stop and go traffic, and I take it easy until the car’s properly warmed up. 5. I don’t have a daily. Some days it’s a 5 minute drive through 30 mph and 5 stoplights. Others it’s an 800 mile drive across the Rocky Mountains. At least 40% of the start ups are longer trips, as are 80-85% of the miles, much of it cruising, but I don’t hestiate really drive it when there’s an opportunity. It will be driven in the winter also, it’s my only car. 6. Car has no known problems and I recently did a 60k maintenance, new spark plugs, etc. Preferences are whatever is going to be best for the car and make it last the longest. I want to be able to run it hard but I do put a lot of 3-4k RPM miles on the car with burst of 5-7k. (redlines at over 7k). I prefer to spend money on oil rather on repairs. I don’t care where I source is. I just want it to be the best for the engine and my style of driving to extend longevity. I plan to stick with the factory recommended OCI, but I am curious if the OCI can be extended with the synthetic oils. ? Also, I read that Mobile 1 EP has 800 zinc levels, as opposed to their AFE brand with 600. The Euro formula has 1100. I’m wondering if 800 is sufficient or if I need more either through an additive or different oil? Thanks for the input guys!!!!

 

[Nickdfresh]

I can't imagine why zinc levels should be a concern in that engine. But Mobil 1 does offer a High Mileage 5W-20 now...

 

[splinter]

Originally Posted By: ragtophardtop

..I want to be able to run it hard but I do put a lot of 3-4k RPM miles on the car with burst of 5-7k. (redlines at over 7k). I prefer to spend money on oil rather on repairs..

These engines are virtually bulletproof and can be (are!) flogged mercilessly without a whimper on even the most pedestrian lubricants.

 

[Nate1979]

It a modern engine. The word zddp shouldn't even be in your vocabulary its such a non issue for modern oils.

 

[ragtophardtop]

Thanks guys... Any more info other than I shouldn't care about ZDDP levels?