Transcript of a conversation with Mazda regarding "recommended" vs "required" oil viscosity

[Sequoiasoon]

Didn't you say that you drove to Mexico to change your oil each time?

OR..... Washington DC is closer to you and not a state so not part of the United States of America or Canada. That gives you other oil choices there.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

For Honda manual, they are saying it must be labeled with API seal. But not so much about viscosity.

I fixed it for you!

 

[Fish Fry]

Is it likely that you'll have an issue and toast the engine by using 0w or 5w30 in a 0w20 application? No, but is it worth the risk?

The ultimate question of this is: Is it worth the risk?

You not gonna toast any engine with ether oil - your engine just doesn't give a f... if you run a 0w20 or a 5w30 - the difference is minimal.
Tat's why the manual says you can use em both.

 

[tolian21]

You not gonna toast any engine with ether oil - your engine just doesn't give a f... if you run a 0w20 or a 5w30 - the difference is minimal.
Tat's why the manual says you can use em both.

Agreed, but I sill like to have freedom of running higher viscosity without fear.

 

[Fish Fry]

Fair enough.

 

[sohccammer427]

If an engineer could design an engine that would work fine with 0w20, but would destroy itself if a 0w30 or 5w30 oil was used I'd be impressed. I'm not sure that would be possible.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

If an engineer could design an engine that would work fine with 0w20, but would destroy itself if a 0w30 or 5w30 oil was used I'd be impressed. I'm not sure that would be possible.

Why revive a year old thread - I have been fooled yet again. The things some kids do to old people ... geesh!

 

[ZeeOSix]

If an engineer could design an engine that would work fine with 0w20, but would destroy itself if a 0w30 or 5w30 oil was used I'd be impressed. I'm not sure that would be possible.

Yeah, impossible. If that was the case, every engine would be damaged/destroyed upon a cold start-up when the oil viscosity is way thicker than when it's at operating temperature. However, engine excessive wear or damage could occur is the oil is too thin at operating temperature.