Oil question...

[infamouszoltan]

It says my car is recommended to use 5w 20.. After going to my local autozone, they don't have it... I was told 5w 30 is fine to put in it, also it will help out my turbo, is this correct or will changing the recommendations ruin it?

 

[05Mazda3sp23]

the only problem is its thicker oil 5w(for winter rating) and 30 just runs better at higher temp(but thicker, doesnt break down as easy) the non-turbo block has smaller oil channels and the turbo block has bigger( i think)... good for the turbo not for the block (i think)

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

RTM

The person who told you it would be fine... isn't the one who will pay for a new turbo...

 

[infamouszoltan]

RTM?

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

As in Read The Manual.

The book that came with your car clearly states What two types of oil to use depending on the temperature outside.

The Car designers selected that oil and then made things like the filter and oil pump work perfectly with that weight of oil..

changing it will upset that balance.

I would prefer to wait a week rather than change the oil with the wrong oil, just because they didn't have the right stuff.

 

[infamouszoltan]

okay, thanks

 

[the7thgear]

yeah dude if it recommends 5W20 from the factory then use it. Sometimes the factory gives you options like 5W30 or 10W30 but I believe Mazda along with Ford recommend 5W20 only. Better use what was tested for that engine.

 

[infamouszoltan]

Very true!

 

[flash75]

5W-30 is the Mazda specified oil for engines with a turbo. See page 8-19 in the 2008 owners manual.
The Mazda 2008 shop manual also specifies 5W-30 oil for engines with a turbo. See page 01-50B-2.

All other engines for USA and Canada get 5W-20 regardless of outside temperature as specified in the owners and shop manuals.

Specifications quoted are for USA and Canada cars.

Clifton

 

[infamouszoltan]

So you are saying I can use 5w30 our no... Haha

 

[05Mazda3sp23]

So you are saying I can use 5w30 our no... Haha

I wouldnt, thats just me... there is a reason they say 5w-20

 

[flash75]

Guys, I'm too old to waste my time making up stuff to go in your cars. I got my information from the MAZDA
owners manul that came with my 2008 car. I even gave you the page number it's located on. My second
reference was from the 2008 Official MAZDA workshop manual.

I didn't say it's OK. Mazda tells you that you should be using 5W-30, NOT 5W-20 oil in your turbo engine. Try reading
your manual.

I do use 5W-20 in my 2008 Mazda 3i with the 2 liter engine.

"I wouldnt, thats just me... there is a reason they say 5w-20"
That is correct for a non turbo engine.
READ YOUR MANUAL for turbo applications. My Mazda manuals say use 5W-30 in turbo engines

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53956841@N04/6210978446
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53956841@N04/6210979464/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53956841@N04/6210977972/in/photostream/

Clifton

 

[hat1018]

Zoltan has an add-on turbo. IIRC.
You could blend the 5w20 with the 5w30 at a 50/50 ratio for a 5w25.
Seriuosly though, with a turbo I would think about using 5w30. You should do some research on the oil passages of a 2.3L turbo engine and what your engine has stock. For all we know they are the same. In which case I would use 5w30 to handle the excess heat.

 

[flash75]

I posted shop manual images below. Check them and you will see 5W-30 is the recommended
oil for Mazda3 turbo engines.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53956841@N04/6210978446
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5395684...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5395684...n/photostream/

Here is a link to the Mazda 3 owners manual Turbo data is circled in red.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53956841@N04/6211071904/in/photostream

Clifton

 

[Donutz]

I know this thread is stale but I'm new here so what the hey. Without consideration for any warranty you can use 5w30. The Mazda workshop manual, in the technical guide under the engine section has the following "Recommended engine oil" table:

Europe
Grades API SL or ACEA A3/A5 - viscosity 5w30
Grades API SL or ACEA A3 - viscosity 10w40 and 5w20

Except Europe
Grades API SG/SH/SJ/SL or ILSAC GF-2/GF-3 - viscosity 40, 30, 20, 20W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 15W-40, 20W-50, 15W-50, 5W-20, 5W-30