Napa 0W20

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2016 Mazda CX-5 Touring
Napa has 0W20 on sale for $3.00 a quart. The oil is made by Ashland Oil which makes Valvoline. My thoughts are that the dealers put in Castrol, instead of Mazda Molly, so why not give Napa a try.
 
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It is house-branded Valvoline SynPower and that is a great deal. I chose Pennzoil Platinum for my CX-5, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the NAPA had I not went with the Pennzoil.
 
I prefer to spend the few bucks more and get the real Moly Mazda oil. We are talking maybe $15 more per oil change. That's chump change on $30k vehicle. Moly prevents carbon buildup which is very common on direct injection engines like the SkyActv.

MOLYBDENUM: (from Bob the Oil Guy)http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/applications-for-lubrication/

A single molecule of Moly contains two sulfur atoms and one molybdenum atom. Moly platelets are attracted to metal surfaces. This attraction and the force of moving engine parts rubbing across one another provide the necessary thermochemical reaction necessary for Moly to form an overlapping protective coating like armor on all of your engine parts. This protective armor coating has a number of properties that are very beneficial for your engine.

The Moly platelets that make up the protective layers on your engine surfaces slide across one another very easily. Instead of metal rubbing against metal, you have Moly platelets moving across one another protecting and lubricating the metal engine parts.

This coating effectively fills in the microscopic pores that cover the surface of all engine parts, making them smoother. This feature is important in providing an effective seal on the combustion chamber. By filling in the craters and pores Moly improves this seal allowing for more efficient combustion and engine performance.

This overlapping coating of Moly also gives protection against loading (perpendicular) forces. These forces occur on the bearings, and lifters. The high pressures that occur between these moving parts tend to squeeze normal lubricants out.

Eventually, there is metal to metal contact, which damages these moving parts and creates large amounts of heat. Fortunately, this is not the case with some lubricants.The layer of moly that forms on these moving surfaces can withstand pressures of 500,000 psi, without being squeezed out.

Since that time theproduct has undergone extensive independent testing in labs and in the field for many years to insure that the product stands up to the rigorous needs of todays engines. With the plating action of Moly reducing friction which reduces heat, this helps keep rings free from carbon buildup, prevents blow-by, decreases emission, and extends oil life.
 
Oil is no place to pinch pennies, IMHO.

Sent from the wrong side of the tracks.
 
Oil is no place to pinch pennies, IMHO.

I agree. The oil is changed every 5,000+ miles and people want to save like $10-$20 by buying cheaper oil. I don't get it? People WASTE so much money on other stupid stuff ($5 Starbucks coffee, $10 drive-through value meals, E-cigs, alcohol, impulse buys, gas station drinks, etc) Then when it comes to their $30,000 vehicle they want to save $10 by buying cheaper oil or using aftermarket oil filters.

To each his own but it never makes sense to me to cheap out on things like quality oil or oil filters.
 
To each his own but it never makes sense to me to cheap out on things like quality oil or oil filters.
+1
Although I change oil by myself, but my dealer charges only $10 more if we specify Mazda moly oil or "Preferred Choice" brand of oil would be in your engine.
 
I always buy whatever synthetic is on sale. I enjoy lattes.

So long as the oil has an API logo and you are buying the recommended weight you are set. I've never heard of someone having engine problems related to the oil brand they use.

If the Mazda oil was the holy grail that had no substitute, Mazda corporate would be in legal kahoot with the dealers. My dealer uses pennzoil, a well respected brand.

I will add that according to Mazda their branded oil can go up to 10k miles, which may be cheaper in the long run. I did buy a case to experiment with.
 
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Seems that the use of the word 'tecommended" gets them off the hook.

Sent from the wrong side of the tracks.
 
+1
Although I change oil by myself, but my dealer charges only $10 more if we specify Mazda moly oil or "Preferred Choice" brand of oil would be in your engine.

Most dealers will use BULK oil that comes in a huge 55 gallon barrel. For the most part, it's Pennzoil synthetic or synthetic blend. The Mazda dealers use this bulk oil for all their vehicles they service.

The Moly oil only comes in 1 quart bottles and the dealer will not use it UNLESS you specify it, like you did above. I do my own oil changes and only get Moly and a genuine Mazda oil filter. Mazda chose the Moly for specific reasons I outlined above in the Bob the Oil Guy write-up.The Moly provides the EXTRA protection that the Pennzoil doesn't.

It's only in the LONG TERM that the Moly vs. non-Moly will make itself known. I believe at around 50,000 miles (warranty is up) that is when the Moly oil changes will show to have better compression (rings sealing better), less carbon buildup on pistons, and overall better rod and main bearing wear VS. the non-Moly oil which will show higher wear, more carbon buildup and leakier piston rings. That's my educated guess but only time/mileage will prove or disprove my claim.

Remember, SkyActiv engines have the highest compression of any mass-produced gas vehicle in the WORLD today that can still run 87 octane. They also have very tight engine rod and main bearing tolerances. Really tight. The amount of oil film that sits between the rod and main bearings and the spinning crank is mind-blowing when you really think about. That thin film of oil is the only thing protecting that bearing from being wiped out. A single molecule of Moly contains two sulfur atoms and one molybdenum atom. Moly platelets are attracted to metal surfaces. This attraction and the force of moving engine parts rubbing across one another provide the necessary thermochemical reaction necessary for Moly to form an overlapping protective coating like armor on all of your engine parts.

So let's say at 50,000 miles with 10 oil changes (5,000 miles per change). One would save only $100 by buying the cheaper oil but in doing so you jeopardize your cars engine & performance. Doesn't make sense to me but to each his or her own.
 
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Most dealers will use BULK oil that comes in a huge 55 gallon barrel. For the most part, it's Pennzoil synthetic or synthetic blend. The Mazda dealers use this bulk oil for all their vehicles they service.

The Moly oil only comes in 1 quart bottles and the dealer will not use it UNLESS you specify it, like you did above. I do my own oil changes and only get Moly and a genuine Mazda oil filter. Mazda chose the Moly for specific reasons I outlined above in the Bob the Oil Guy write-up.The Moly provides the EXTRA protection that the Pennzoil doesn't.

It's only in the LONG TERM that the Moly vs. non-Moly will make itself known. I believe at around 50,000 miles (warranty is up) that is when the Moly oil changes will show to have better compression (rings sealing better), less carbon buildup on pistons, and overall better rod and main bearing wear VS. the non-Moly oil which will show higher wear, more carbon buildup and leakier piston rings. That's my educated guess but only time/mileage will prove or disprove my claim.

Remember, SkyActiv engines have the highest compression of any mass-produced gas vehicle in the WORLD today that can still run 87 octane. They also have very tight engine rod and main bearing tolerances. Really tight. The amount of oil film that sits between the rod and main bearings and the spinning crank is mind-blowing when you really think about. That thin film of oil is the only thing protecting that bearing from being wiped out. A single molecule of Moly contains two sulfur atoms and one molybdenum atom. Moly platelets are attracted to metal surfaces. This attraction and the force of moving engine parts rubbing across one another provide the necessary thermochemical reaction necessary for Moly to form an overlapping protective coating like armor on all of your engine parts.

So let's say at 50,000 miles with 10 oil changes (5,000 miles per change). One would save only $100 by buying the cheaper oil but in doing so you jeopardize your cars engine & performance. Doesn't make sense to me but to each his or her own.


If all of what you say is true, then one can conclude that Mazda and Mazda dealerships are doing their customers a disservice by not SPECIFYING the moly oil for these SkyActiv marvels of technology. You basically said that at 50,000 miles, there will be less compression, more bearing wear, and greater carbon buildup.
If so, and Mazda did not protect their customers by mandating the moly oil, then they have produced an inferior product that won't as long as its competitors. Have you contacted Mazda to get this corrected?
 
If all of what you say is true, then one can conclude that Mazda and Mazda dealerships are doing their customers a disservice by not SPECIFYING the moly oil for these SkyActiv marvels of technology. You basically said that at 50,000 miles, there will be less compression, more bearing wear, and greater carbon buildup.
If so, and Mazda did not protect their customers by mandating the moly oil, then they have produced an inferior product that won't as long as its competitors. Have you contacted Mazda to get this corrected?


Do you think any dealership (Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, etc) really wants a vehicle to run forever and be 100% trouble free AFTER the warranty period?

The answer to that question is NO

Passing the 50,000 mile mark is key and after that it doesn't matter to the manufacturer. Most modern cars can go to 100,000 miles with no to few issues. After 100,000 miles vehicles cannot be sold under financing as banks and credit unions view the vehicle as having gone above its service life. Well maintained vehicles can go 200,000 miles before requiring drivetrain overhauls.

Manufacturers and dealerships make their money by selling new cars and servicing cars out of warranty. That's the reality of it.

As far as contacting Mazda goes. I did and they said using Moly oil is highly recommended and preferred but substituting it with Pennzoil synthetic is allowed (USA only) but for long-term severe service, they recommend Mazda Moly. So there you have it.
 
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Once again, one can use the cheaper Castrol oil, BUT WHY? To save $10 per oil change?

Mazda Moly is superior, that's a fact, nobody denies that. Moly has been proven.

So I ask again, why use non-Moly oil? To save $10 per oil change?
 
... If so, and Mazda did not protect their customers by mandating the moly oil, then they have produced an inferior product that won't as long as its competitors.
Mazda North American Operations can't mandate dealers or owners using their preferred Mazda moly oil due to legal limitations. But I have no doubt moly oil and OEM oil filter do protect and benefit more than non-moly oils and aftermarket oil filters to our high-compression SkyActiv engines. Chris_Top_Her had been told by someone knowing SkyActiv engine well that use only OEM oil filter for SkyActiv engines.
 
I believe in using OEM oil filters and always have, mainly due to ensuring proper pressure and any antidrainback concerns. I am not going to deny that the moly additive might be a positive either. What I don't like reading is that the SkyActiv engine has special requirements and not using the Mazda oil will cause compression loss, carbon build-up, and increased bearing wear at 50,000 miles, which is exactly what Lbear suggested above.
 
While Mazda might not be able to legally specify their own brand of oil, they could certainly specify a minimum moly content or additive requirement, especially if it affected engine longevity.
 
My dealer is using bulk oil. They also gave me lifetime powertrain coverage as long as I change the oil with them.
 
The manual doesn't say a word about using Moly oil in the Skyactiv motor, at least for my 2015 M6.

My car uses about a quart of oil every 5000 miles. It's a manual and I use the revs like it's built for. For Mexico, they specify 5w30 instead of 0w20. I'm going with the Mexico spec. They only spec the thin oil for the USA for fleet mileage requirements. I'm willing to bet the oil consumption will be greatly reduced or eliminated. Amazon has a 5 quart jug of 5w30 Castrol extended performance (capable of 15k miles, not that I would go that long) for $25.95 delivered for Prime members. Add Mobil 1 EP filter to order. No better deal.
 
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I believe in using OEM oil filters and always have, mainly due to ensuring proper pressure and any antidrainback concerns. I am not going to deny that the moly additive might be a positive either. What I don't like reading is that the SkyActiv engine has special requirements and not using the Mazda oil will cause compression loss, carbon build-up, and increased bearing wear at 50,000 miles, which is exactly what Lbear suggested above.

Just use the Pennzoil. Whether the hypothesis is deemed valid or not will be determined at around 50,000 miles or so. A lot of other factors will also determine the outcome (driving habits, fuel quality, conditions driven, etc). This is not a scientific experiment as the conditions are NOT controlled.

Maybe use 4 qts Pennzoil and 1/2 qt Moly oil? That will increase the moly content in the oil which Pennzoil doesn't have as much of.
 
Here's the whole thing: it's up to you as the owner to make the distinction between low cost and longevity. Payout now or payout later.

From the manufacturer and dealer perspective, the engineers want you to use moly, the bean counters don't.

It really is a personal choice.

Sent from the wrong side of the tracks.
 

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