Can you run 10W-30 in our MS3 Engines?

[AutoXRacer]

Can you run 10W-30 in our MS3 engines? I know the manual says 5W-30, but would it hurt anything to put 10W-30? Living in Florida, I would assume its OK...?

Reason I'm asking is because I can not get Red Line 5W-30 locally without having to special order it and wait like 2-3 weeks for it. 10W-30 is easily found.

Just wondering...Thanks!!

 

[Sierra117]

I just took mine in for its first oil change, and they (local garage I trust) put in 10W-30, so I hope its ok.

 

[BlackCherry06]

It's absolutely fine. Only a problem (and probably not even then) if the temp drops below zero.

 

[AutoXRacer]

The coldest its gotten this year is 40*...

I'm really hesitant to put in 10W-30 since the owners manual says 5W-30. Since the new engines now are so tight with clearances and require thinner oils, you guys sure the thicker oil will be OK?

 

[User Name]

I've been using 10W-30 for my last 2 oil changes with absolutely zero problems. The 5W is ultimately a means for Mazda get the best fuel mileage numbers they can muster. I know one guy who has done extensive testing and found 5W to be better in his Miata, but then another says he gets better results with 10W in his Miata. Mazda recommends 5W in the Renesis rotary even though every rotary before it called for 10W, even though they changed the renesis slightly, I really doubt the apex/side seals are all that different from the older 13B.

Bottom line is, use whatever oil you want.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Thanks guys!!!

Whats your word on oil change interval...? I know the manual says 5K, but in all my previous cars I used to do 3K...

Any real need to do 3K...can you really go 5K in between changes (of course using 100% synthetic)...?

Or is the real guide the color of the oil...?

 

[BlackCherry06]

Never go by the color of the oil. Most oil changes color in response to heat and has little to do with being dirty.

I change my oil every 3000 miles, but that's mainly because my car is subjected to 98% short trips. Less than 5 miles to my office, less than 2 miles to the grocery store, etc. This is harder on oil than just getting on the highway and driving 90mph for hours.

If your car sees some highway duty mixed with in-town driving, you can go 5000 miles on a good quality synthetic with no worries. I'm just glad to read that you're using synthetic. It's the best product to use with a turbo.

 

[nig3]

its fine, as long as its not mobil one 10-w30 synthetic. test have shown that for some reason the 10w30 is even thinner than the 5w30 at operating temps. the s*** will disappear quick, too quick. once in my suby i was a qt low after one day of hard driving using the M1 syn. switched back to royal purple and the severe consumption slowly disappeared again.

 

[Sierra117]

^I think your just getting s*** luck. I never had a single problem when running Mobil 1 synthetic in my BMW.

 

[subparpunk03]

I have mobil 1 synthetic in mine right now.... haven't had any issues. However, that was just put in for this last 4k miles. I'm switching to amsoil signature series as soon as it arrives on my doorstep. Amsoil is great stuff.

 

[shark77]

Mobil 1 has been good to me too.

I used 0w40 on my last car, and that stuff poured like water.

 

[SwampAss]

mobil 1 is fine. I use whatever 5W-30 synth is on sale and change at every 5k. My mileage is 90% commuting @ 60mph.

 

[redspeed]

10w30 synth on my ms3 for about 6 months, no problems.

 

[assman]

My manual actually says 5w-20 but before we start that whole thread again I just wanted to say that I bought mobile 10w30 and the dealer put it in no questions asked.

 

[cosmic_spd3]

Ok i have a question??what weight does the dealer use when the cars go in for oil change??anyone ever took their car for an oil change and not take their own oil..i'm figuring the dealer uses whats recommended for the car..
Don't it cost alot more to buy ur own oil and still have to pay for labor to change it..??

 

[AutoXRacer]

My manual actually says 5w-20 but before we start that whole thread again I just wanted to say that I bought mobile 10w30 and the dealer put it in no questions asked.

In my 2008 model manual it says 5W-30, but in my service shop manual it says "5W-20 (If SAE 5W-20 engine oil is not available in your market, use SAE 5W-30 engine oil)."
Thats for both the regular 3 and the speed 3!!!

I wonder if I got an old revision of the shop manual or are these publishing companies creating major typos??
(huh)

 

[Haltech]

10W30 is too thick of an oil to be using.. the reason i say this is because of the rod bearings. 0-5/30 is fine to use, but going higher on an engine with such tight tolerances is asking for problems. It will take you about 30,000 miles to see the negative results of using it. Remeber how much oil gets trapped in the head at high rpm...

 

[AutoXRacer]

10W30 is too thick of an oil to be using.. the reason i say this is because of the rod bearings. 0-5/30 is fine to use, but going higher on an engine with such tight tolerances is asking for problems. It will take you about 30,000 miles to see the negative results of using it. Remeber how much oil gets trapped in the head at high rpm...

That was the answer/concern I had with using a thicker oil!!!
I know engines these days have a pretty tight tolerance (clearance) between parts requiring thin oil, unlike 1980 engines in which you could use 20W-50!!!

I special ordered 5W-30... I'm just sticking with that...
Thats what my owners manual says, I'll stick with that...

Thanks guys!!!!

 

[Craighjr]

Agreed stick with 5w30. There was another thread on this and basically the NA cars use 5w20 and the T uses 5w30. Why would Mazda bother telling you to use a different oil between 2 2.3's of the same year. I am not 100% on the break downs of motor oil but why not just use what they suggest.

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

In my 2008 model manual it says 5W-30, but in my service shop manual it says "5W-20 (If SAE 5W-20 engine oil is not available in your market, use SAE 5W-30 engine oil)."
Thats for both the regular 3 and the speed 3!!!

I wonder if I got an old revision of the shop manual or are these publishing companies creating major typos??
(huh)

It's not just manuals that are wrong. Computer references in most shops come up wrong too. I have had my oil changed 5 times now (five different shops because no one has done it right yet) and every one of them tried to put in 5-20, even the dealership, because the parts guy sent out the wrong stuff. I caught one shop about to mix oils. They had six quarts of what I wanted, they were just mixed up on the shelves and the moron didn't notice the different color bottles. As much as I hate the hassle of bringing in the old oil for disposal, I'm going to go back to doing my own oil changes.