Engine Oil Question

[silvermz3]

I read my manual and it recommends using 5w - 20 motor oil for my 2.0 liter mazda3i. I have 5w - 30 oil in my garage. Is it safe to run on 5w - 30 oil?

 

[sephiroth]

I read my manual and it recommends using 5w - 20 motor oil for my 2.0 liter mazda3i. I have 5w - 30 oil in my garage. Is it safe to run on 5w - 30 oil?

if you had 10W-20 oil that would be one thing, mabye some slow starts in the winter.. but since this is 5W-30 we're talking about, it's going to run thicker when the engine is up to operating tempreature vs 5W-20,which means parts are going to be less lubricated and that's never good..if you're anal about oil changes like me and do your 3K changes every 2.5K... then you'll be fine and just get some 5W-20 next time.. but if you like to streach out oil changes to 6,7,8-10K... then just run up to the store and get some 5W-20..you'll only need 3Qt or so.

 

[TheMAN]

running 5W30 is fine for the mazda3... it's just recommended to be used because of fuel economy reasons... the engine is designed to handle 5W30... it is the recommended grade overseas... if you live in a warm climate area, then it will work just fine... when the engine is warmed up, the viscosity is just a bit thicker running 5W30 than with 5W20... if it is cold where you live then 5W20 is better for the engine... but use that oil ASAP if that has been sitting on the garage shelf for a while because oil can thicken due to the cold

 

[Kansei]

but use that oil ASAP if that has been sitting on the garage shelf for a while because oil can thicken due to the cold

oh crap my new garage isn't insulated, I need to bring my 100+ dollar case of royal purple inside!!