CX-5 NA Oil weight 0w20 or 5w30?

[Sekmor]

Is it ok to use 5w30 in my 2.5L (non turbo)??
The manual states to use 0w20 for US/Canada. 5w30 is an option if living somewhere else.
My other vehicles use 5w30, and always have a case sitting on the shelf. I'll continue to buy that special jug for the CX5 but it would be convenient if they all used the same weight.

 

[cz5gt]

I'm sorry but this oil is not the gold standard. Maybe it once was. But Turbo owners especially should be using GF-6 / API SP oil which was specifically designed to reduce the risk of LSPI (low speed pre-ignition) by replacing some of the calcium with magnesium, among other changes.

Save some $ and buy Pennzoil Ultra Platinum at $30 for 5 qts. It's a better oil.

I think this was reference to the NA engine and Mazda Moly 0w20. I agree this is one of the best oils for that engine.

Yes it wont work with the Turbo. The gold standard for the Turbo is prob the Amsoil SS and similar but I know they are too expensive for most day to day users.

 

[GTXT23]

I'm sorry but this oil is not the gold standard. Maybe it once was. But Turbo owners especially should be using GF-6 / API SP oil which was specifically designed to reduce the risk of LSPI (low speed pre-ignition) by replacing some of the calcium with magnesium, among other changes.

Save some $ and buy Pennzoil Ultra Platinum at $30 for 5 qts. It's a better oil.

No I never intended to recommend anyone to use 0w-20 in a turbo - the manual even says 5w-30 - for turbos - I meant for NAs-- always a good idea to clarify these things -
-- Since were on topic here -- whats anyones estimation of using 0w-20 gf5 w moly in the winter and then switching to 5w-30 in the summer --- I think the question sounds absurd because of break in tolerances etc -- I personally am sticking with the 0w-20 and changing more frequently in summer - anyone have knowledge of switching viscosity's seasonally ?

 

[GTXT23]

Is it ok to use 5w30 in my 2.5L (non turbo)??
The manual states to use 0w20 for US/Canada. 5w30 is an option if living somewhere else.
My other vehicles use 5w30, and always have a case sitting on the shelf. I'll continue to buy that special jug for the CX5 but it would be convenient if they all used the same weight.

Yes is the answer - But its cold where I live in winter and very hot in summer and Im sticking with the 0w-20 and in summer changing it more frequently ---start up lubrication is my biggest concern

 

[N7turbo]

Mazda has a new version of the Idemitsu high moly 0w-20 that's GF6. All oil manufacturers switched to GF6/SP years ago and many are already on the GF7 standard

Good to hear!

 

[N7turbo]

No I never intended to recommend anyone to use 0w-20 in a turbo - the manual even says 5w-30 - for turbos - I meant for NAs-- always a good idea to clarify these things -
-- Since were on topic here -- whats anyones estimation of using 0w-20 gf5 w moly in the winter and then switching to 5w-30 in the summer --- I think the question sounds absurd because of break in tolerances etc -- I personally am sticking with the 0w-20 and changing more frequently in summer - anyone have knowledge of switching viscosity's seasonally ?

Sorry, I don't think you understood my post—use GF-6 oil, not GF-5. That is an old spec.

And as @dunhillmc noted, GF-7 spec oil is coming out this year. I'll use up the last of my current jug then look for the updated version next time.

Edit: found this:

 

[cz5gt]

We are finally catching up with the Europeans. Nice. Thanks for the diagram and details.

 

[GTXT23]

I'm sorry but this oil is not the gold standard. Maybe it once was. But Turbo owners especially should be using GF-6 / API SP oil which was specifically designed to reduce the risk of LSPI (low speed pre-ignition) by replacing some of the calcium with magnesium, among other changes.

Save some $ and buy Pennzoil Ultra Platinum at $30 for 5 qts. It's a better oil.

Mazda has a new version of the Idemitsu high moly 0w-20 that's GF6. All oil manufacturers switched to GF6/SP years ago and many are already on the GF7 standard

All the dealers stock the GF5 and it's the recommended 0w-20 - I have an NA- I will look for the Pennzoil.

 

[dunhillmc]

All the dealers stock the GF5 and it's the recommended 0w-20 - I have an NA- I will look for the Pennzoil.

Most dealers should be out of the GF5 version as it hasn't been made in years. There is a new GF-6 version now that Mazda is recommending for the CX70/90

 

[cz5gt]

Right. Around 2021/2022.
Plus the mazda non turbo is not even prone to lspi so its not that big of a deal if somebody got the older stock.

Some folks play it like its doomsday if you use gf5. Take a look at the 3 cyl turbo 1.2 engine ( fca or gm forgot which one) that is very prone to lspi different story

 

[N7turbo]

Right. Around 2021/2022.
Plus the mazda non turbo is not even prone to lspi so its not that big of a deal if somebody got the older stock.

Some folks play it like its doomsday if you use gf5. Take a look at the 3 cyl turbo 1.2 engine ( fca or gm forgot which one) that is very prone to lspi different story

It is my understanding that any direct-injected engine can suffer LSPI; turbocharging just makes it more likely by increasing cylinder pressure.

 

[cz5gt]

its a problem with smaller displacement engines.
Think 1.2-1.6. Plus those small engines often are turbocharged to compensate for the low displacement/torque etc.
A 2.5 4cyl non turbo would rarely if ever experience this on a stock firmware.

 

[Shortafoot]

0w-20 is only speced for one reason: Fuel economy in lab testing. The EPA requires that the car makers to spec whatever grade of oil used in lab testing for MPG's to be the oil speced in the owners manual. Nothing to do with "flow" and nothing to do with the lie that "new engines are built to tighter tolerances", etc. Lake Speed Jr on the Motor Oil Geek showed with used oil analysis that 20w-50 produced way less wear than 0w-20. The super light oils are all about lab based fuel economy. You will not see 1 MPG difference in your cars on the road mileage based on what weight of oil you use. FWIW there is a guy who ran a 3.0 Honda Accord V6 1 million miles on 5w-20! I err on the side of protection and caution and run the highest grade I can but am starting to believe that just keeping a good API certified oil regardless of viscosity grade and a decent filter is all you need for long engine life.

 

[cz5gt]

20w50

 

[Moonlighter]

0w-20 is only speced for one reason: Fuel economy in lab testing. The EPA requires that the car makers to spec whatever grade of oil used in lab testing for MPG's to be the oil speced in the owners manual. Nothing to do with "flow" and nothing to do with the lie that "new engines are built to tighter tolerances", etc. Lake Speed Jr on the Motor Oil Geek showed with used oil analysis that 20w-50 produced way less wear than 0w-20. The super light oils are all about lab based fuel economy. You will not see 1 MPG difference in your cars on the road mileage based on what weight of oil you use. FWIW there is a guy who ran a 3.0 Honda Accord V6 1 million miles on 5w-20! I err on the side of protection and caution and run the highest grade I can but am starting to believe that just keeping a good API certified oil regardless of viscosity grade and a decent filter is all you need for long engine life.

You must have seen a different video from Lake Speed Jr than the one I saw….. the one I saw showed exactly the opposite of what you claimed - it showed that the 0w-12 produced the same or even less wear than the higher vis oil, even under sustained high temp running. And had the advantage of better fuel economy.

He made the point that the vis was less relevant to wear than the additive package.

I am learning a lot about oil and its applications from Mr Speed Jr. I like the evidence based approach and science he applies. Facts, not opinions.

Take a look at the video linked below.

Around the 3:45 minute mark he is talking about test results comparing Mobil 1 5W-30 with a custom 0W-12 oil. Have a listen.

He says, not quite word for word but close enough:

“Even at a 150 hour durability test, and at 150C temperatures…. The 0W-12 actually protected every bit as good, if not better than the 5W-30.”

“Dont be afraid of the viscosity index, just because its thinner sometimes the additive package can do a better job even though its thinner….”

 

[GTXT23]

There's quite a bit of confusing information on the net about oil - It seems that many people use non-scientific standards to draw conclusions ---

In here its the 5w/30 being superior to 0w/20 gf-5 (6-7) w/ Moly--battle ---( for na engines )

because some believe the engine makes less noise and ow/20 is only recommended because of CAFE standards in the USA -- So that right there is unscientific myth- It may contain some truth yet having higher standards does not mean the viscosity is inferior in its use !
--So ( like in this informative video ) testing on the weights of a wide variety of viscosity's and brands does have merit -- Fuel Mileage is a definitive piece of data - Im not going to write a novel here but the testing Ive seen for my 2.5 NA shows that 0w.20 gf5 not only delivers superior protection but yields higher gas mileage- Think about this -- If the 0w-20 was " water " as many claim then why do engines run more efficiently on this over 5w-30 ? Thicker does not mean better -If the engine has less friction , and delivers superior protection and lubrication - does that mean its not as good ? I suppose some think so -- It appears old myths die hard - In this video Toyota is using 0w-08 !! and the results are good- So if he was to put say 30 weight oil in that corolla ..and it was very quiet is that better ??? obviously not -

 

[GTXT23]

Good to hear!

Well I dont live in the turbo world--but USA Mazda dealers are still using GF5 on the NAs and selling it as of 3/25 - Thats of course on the 2.5 CX5 //- As to its use it on " complimentary " oil services or pre-paid maintenance I dont know-- Suppose it depends on the dealer

 

[cz5gt]

right. Mazda dealers are using from the big barrel for oil changes with 0w20. Whats there depends on what the dealership decided. They have the freedom to decide and its not mandated by Mazda. But it is not the Mazda Moly oil.

Separately they sell the Mazda oem bottles (the Mazda Moly 0w20) if a customer wants. But most customers dont even know about it. They get whats in the big barrel (bulk). Thats for the NA.

For the Turbo its unclear what they use.
There isnt Mazda official bottles full syn in 5w30.

 

[jadmt]

right. Mazda dealers are using from the big barrel for oil changes with 0w20. Whats there depends on what the dealership decided. They have the freedom to decide and its not mandated by Mazda. But it is not the Mazda Moly oil.

Separately they sell the Mazda oem bottles (the Mazda Moly 0w20) if a customer wants. But most customers dont even know about it. They get whats in the big barrel (bulk). Thats for the NA.

For the Turbo its unclear what they use.
There isnt Mazda official bottles full syn in 5w30.

this was what my dealership used on my complimentary free oil changes..they have the video they send you of the tech pouring the oil in...I asked to see the bottle because it is not synthetic...not sure why photos are not showing up but individual bottles of 5W30 mazda branded oil..this in the USA.

 

[GTXT23]

Most dealers should be out of the GF5 version as it hasn't been made in years. There is a new GF-6 version now that Mazda is recommending for the CX70/90

I just purchased a case of GF5 from the dealer today 3/7 - and others have it and was told they still can and will be ordering more --?

 

[dunhillmc]

I just purchased a case of GF5 from the dealer today 3/7 - and others have it and was told they still can and will be ordering more --?

Why would you want an oil made to an old spec when there is an updated one available?

(Canadian labeling)