Skyactive Engine Programmed differently in US?

[Bojo]

So I was going to continue a thread I had already started, but decided this is probably a new subject. i finally got comfortable with the decision to put 5w30 in my 2025 Skyactive NON-turbo engine INSTEAD of the recommended 0w20 , due to the fact I came to the conclusion it was only because of CAFE standards. And if they are recommending 5w30 in OTHER countries with the same climate, it stood to reason 5w30 is a good choice. A lot of you weighed in on this, and gave some great info!

HOWEVER,

I have stumbled across some interesting information since those posts, that has me thinking a bit differently.

Basically the information i found says that Mazda programs the ECM/ECU in the computer of the car DIFFERENTLY for different destinations. In other words, the car going to US isnt programmed the same as going to another country with different less strict CAFE standards, etc. Hence the different viscocity recommendations.

And YES, it still satisfies the CAFE.. BUT....

Some were saying that by using 5w30 instead of 0w20 in USA bound cars (that are programmed like this above ) it will in fact, put more drag on the engine , hence more wear BECAUSE of this programming that is done before they are shipped out.


IF this is true, that would tell me that owners manual is in fact correct and that 0w20 is IN FACT, a better oil for this engine than 5w30. Im not saying it makes 5w30 bad. Im just saying it would tell me 0w20 is BETTER for U.S bound skyactive non-turbo engines.

Im actually HOPING this information is NOT true. And i want to be wrong here.



Thoughts?

 

[rijndael]

If you're this concerned about it, just use a 0w20 and move on.

 

[#18FAN]

She's gonna blow!!!

 

[HemiBenny]

Where did you get this information?

The owners manual states that 0w20 is recommended, it doesn’t say required, if I remember correctly.

 

[Bojo]

She's gonna blow!!!

LOL

Where did you get this information?

The owners manual states that 0w20 is recommended, it doesn’t say required, if I remember correctly.

I think it was a Mazda forum and a youtube video on the subject of 0w20 vs 5w30

 

[Propflux01]

Even if they are programmed differently, it would only be oil flow/pressure adjustments (oil-wise). That being said, the engine would adjust to this anyhow. IF and only IF, this was the reason for any programming difference. My guess is that it's programmed for EPA reasons rather than oil flow.

So let me ask this question: Since the turbo takes 5w-30, What differences do you think are really employed here?

If you are that paranoid about it, stick with the 20 and call it a day.

 

[HemiBenny]

LOL

I think it was a Mazda forum and a youtube video on the subject of 0w20 vs 5w30

I saw a video where “The Car Care Nut” was saying that about the cars computer being programmed differently for the recommended viscosity.

Edit - I’m not saying that I believe it, I just saw the video.

 

[MRC01]

My Mazda3 is a 2014, old enough it may not be relevant anymore. But that said... the manual recommends 0w20 but says 5w30 can be used.

The engine has a 13:1 compression ratio, and producing 150 ft.lbs. from 2 liters, 75 ft.lbs. per liter in a normally aspirated engine is very high BMEP. Normally that would require 92 octane gas, but a combination of factors including piston design, direct injection, long tube exhaust headers, etc. enable it to use 87 octane gas. One of those factors is de-tuning in the factory ECM. Put differently, you can gain 15-20 HP with a dyno tuned optimized ECU if you're willing to use only 92 octane gas.

All that said, AFAIK nothing about the engine tune could make a thinner 0w20 oil safer. If anything, producing (and actually using) more power requires higher film strength and a thicker oil.

Furthermore, the viscosity difference between 0w20 and 5w30 oil is something like 5*C, which is a big nothing sandwich. That is, a 0w20 has the same viscosity as a 5w30 at a temperature around 5*C warmer. Anyone who thinks one oil (whether 0w20 or 5w30) is better than the other needs to explain why the engine running 5* warmer or cooler would make that oil inappropriate. The reality is that the difference in viscosity is so small it is immaterial.

 

[GW.]

Can you post your information?

 

[JavierH19]

Oh boy here we go again

 

[Bojo]

If you're this concerned about it, just use a 0w20 and move on.

Even if they are programmed differently, it would only be oil flow/pressure adjustments (oil-wise). That being said, the engine would adjust to this anyhow. IF and only IF, this was the reason for any programming difference. My guess is that it's programmed for EPA reasons rather than oil flow.

So let me ask this question: Since the turbo takes 5w-30, What differences do you think are really employed here?

If you are that paranoid about it, stick with the 20 and call it a day.

Not paranoid, just trying to make sure i use the BEST oil for a 30k investment. But good point about the turbo

 

[Bojo]

Can you post your information?

I basically googled it and a lot of info came up... Something like "Are Mazda engines programmed differently when bound for the USA"...there were a number of sites...

 

[GW.]

I basically googled it and a lot of info came up... Something like "Are Mazda engines programmed differently when bound for the USA"...there were a number of sites...

I wouldn’t worry about it then.

 

[Nessism1]

I basically googled it and a lot of info came up... Something like "Are Mazda engines programmed differently when bound for the USA"...there were a number of sites...

Does the engine use a computer controlled oil pump? If so, there may be some validity to the need to stay with 0W-20.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

There is no universe where you can’t use an xw-30 where 0w-20 is called for. The difference is small.

 

[Bojo]

Does the engine use a computer controlled oil pump? If so, there may be some validity to the need to stay with 0W-20.

It does I BELIEVE.. but someone more versed on Mazda Skyactive non turbo engines may pipe in here.. as i understand its a computer controlled variable displacement oil pump ..

 

[GI_GRIFF]

So I was going to continue a thread I had already started, but decided this is probably a new subject. i finally got comfortable with the decision to put 5w30 in my 2025 Skyactive NON-turbo engine INSTEAD of the recommended 0w20 , due to the fact I came to the conclusion it was only because of CAFE standards. And if they are recommending 5w30 in OTHER countries with the same climate, it stood to reason 5w30 is a good choice. A lot of you weighed in on this, and gave some great info!

HOWEVER,

I have stumbled across some interesting information since those posts, that has me thinking a bit differently.

Basically the information i found says that Mazda programs the ECM/ECU in the computer of the car DIFFERENTLY for different destinations. In other words, the car going to US isnt programmed the same as going to another country with different less strict CAFE standards, etc. Hence the different viscocity recommendations.

And YES, it still satisfies the CAFE.. BUT....

Some were saying that by using 5w30 instead of 0w20 in USA bound cars (that are programmed like this above ) it will in fact, put more drag on the engine , hence more wear BECAUSE of this programming that is done before they are shipped out.


IF this is true, that would tell me that owners manual is in fact correct and that 0w20 is IN FACT, a better oil for this engine than 5w30. Im not saying it makes 5w30 bad. Im just saying it would tell me 0w20 is BETTER for U.S bound skyactive non-turbo engines.

Im actually HOPING this information is NOT true. And i want to be wrong here.



Thoughts?

I really don't know about Mazda's, I do know a little more about engines, however. It is easier for ANY engine to pump thinner engine oil through it. This will cause less fuel consumption on any and all engines. Will it be enough to notice, on my 2025 Toyota that calls for 0W-16, I couldn't notice a difference in my fuel milage, though it has to make some difference, it is just common sense. The 5W-30 made the engine a little quieter and gave a higher HTHS that I wanted. This same exact Toyota engine recommends 5W-30 in other parts of the world. In the USA it is CAFE standards (our government) running the show. If that 1% fuel milage makes all the difference to you, run it. As I said though, I don't know much about a Mazda. However, when it comes to Toyota, I was verbally told by my local Toyota Service Manager and the Toyota District Service Manger that I could safely use up to 5W-30 in my engine with no danger of warranty issues. Maybe Mazda is totally different, I don't know.

 

[RallyXaDSM]

Complete nonsense. Just for the sake of argument, let's say that it was true for cars with electronically controlled variable oil pumps...


The Skyactive engines don't have those.

 

[GW.]

Standard oil pump. When I worked for GM PCM/ECM programs were based on VIN. There were dozens of configurations and even California emissions differences. I would say it’s only emissions for Mazda as well.

 

[skyactiv]

Spell it as Mazda does, Skyactiv, not Skyactive. My wife once owned a Mazda3 with a Skyactiv engine, which is how I came up with my username.