Oil question

[LetItSnow]

Howdy, y'all. Forewarning: I am not terribly knowledgeable about engines.

When I bought my CX-5 it came with 12 oil changes over the next 3 years, so I figured I might as well use them. I honestly didn't pay much attention at the first one. I just had the second done and happened to notice that they put in 5W20 instead of the Mazda-recommended 0W20.

I can't imagine the cold-viscosity would actually hurt the engine, but I can imagine it may impact performance a bit. But, like I said, I'm not an engine guy - I don't know anything about this kind of stuff.

When I called the dealer to say "Hey, did you really do that? And why?" I got a pretty .... perplexing answer. They said "We recommend the 5W20. It won't hurt your engine. The engine is optimized to use 0W20, but we still recommend the 5W20."

That seems like a really bizarre answer to me.

I was going to call a few other dealers, but thought I might post here for opinions first. Thoughts?

 

[erhayes]

I also find it perplexing. Mazda recommends their 0w20 with Moly oil as the best and it is only sold in quarts at the dealerat an extra higher cost. My 2014 says 0w20 on the oil fill cap & in the manual. 0w20 is the recommended oil in the USA and Canada but, 5w30 is recommended elsewhere. I did some investigating and 0w20 oils are only offered in a Synthetic blend or full synthetic. 5w20 oil are mostly a standard oil. I have concluded that dealers use 5w20 to save money but, is OK to use. I hope Mazda Corp would step in and admonish dealers for not using the factory recommended viscosity. Ed

 

[ALafya]

5w20 is OK for warm weather. However, based on your info it seems you are in MN so you should be concerned for the upcoming months, when temperature drops.
Since it is almost September, I'd be worried and demand the proper oil rating be put into the engine at their expense.

 

[LetItSnow]

I think the explanation that makes the most sense is the 'saving money' answer. Since I'm changing every three months (might as well since I have 12 in three years) I'll just ride this one out until late November and insist on 0w20 at the next change. It doesn't typically get *that* cold (at least, not for too long) until mid December or January.

Thx for the advice!

 

[RG_Flyer]

Mazda only specifies 0W-20 in the US, much like other Japanese manufacturers. In other markets, 5W-20 is the norm. The 0W-20 is what the EPA mileage numbers are based on, but the engine will not suffer at all with 5W-20 in it. I think people make way too big of a deal on this issue when the important thing is timely oil changes at the recommended intervals.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Do they sell the 5w-20 with moly already in it?

 

[paris1]

Do they sell the 5w-20 with moly already in it?

Who is they? Mazda only sells their moly oil in 0w/20 because that's all they recommend for SkyActiv engines.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Sorry... I should have said "anyone"? A lot of positive talk on Bobistheoilguy threads about moly oils.

 

[Skorpio]

Who is they? Mazda only sells their moly oil in 0w/20 because that's all they recommend for SkyActiv engines.

From the owners manual-
6-20

0W-20 full synthetic recommended:
Mazda Genuine Oil is used in your Mazda vehicle and is the recommended 0W-20 lubricant. Mazda Genuine 0W-20 Oil is required to achieve optimum fuel economy.
Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20
For maintenance service, Mazda recommends Mazda Genuine Parts and Castrol[emoji768] (U.S.A. only).

Only use SAE 0W-20 oil with the American Petroleum Institute (API) symbol and ILSAC GF-5.
Oil with this trademark symbol conforms to the current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers.

Except U.S.A. and CANADA
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes to fuel economy is reducing the amount of fuel necessary to overcome engine friction.
For maintenance service, Mazda recommends Mazda Genuine Parts and Castrol[emoji768] (Mexico only).

 

[erhayes]

So 5w20 is not on the Mazda approved list anywhere.

 

[Skorpio]

So 5w20 is not on the Mazda approved list anywhere.

You're correct, that is not "officially" approved, but this statement

I think people make way too big of a deal on this issue when the important thing is timely oil changes at the recommended intervals.

is one the best advice on this thread, along with making sure the oil is ILSAC GF-5 certified and you stick with a well established name brand. All good oils between 0-W30, while may not be optimal for the best overall MPG, will lubricate your Skyactiv engines fine with normal usage in normal conditions and common sense (read: not racing/taking off as soon as car starts/extreme temperatures, etc).

 

[Beefy]

but the engine will not suffer at all with 5W-20 in it.

It will suffer at -40C, which is the whole point of this discussion; 0W should absolutely be used in extreme low temperature conditions. This is especially important since 0W-20 and 5W-20 are the same viscosity at full operating temperature.

The dealer is skimping for the sake of cost, and the OP should demand a 0W oil.

 

[RG_Flyer]

It will suffer at -40C, which is the whole point of this discussion; 0W should absolutely be used in extreme low temperature conditions. This is especially important since 0W-20 and 5W-20 are the same viscosity at full operating temperature.

The dealer is skimping for the sake of cost, and the OP should demand a 0W oil.

Will it really "suffer"? 5W-20 was considered suitable for extreme cold a few years ago before 0W was available. I figured most vehicles at -40 were using block heaters anyhow.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

will it really "suffer"? 5w-20 was considered suitable for extreme cold a few years ago before 0w was available. I figured most vehicles at -40 were using block heaters anyhow.

c182 rg?

 

[RG_Flyer]

c182 rg?

Only a rental. One can dream.

 

[Beefy]

Will it really "suffer"? 5W-20 was considered suitable for extreme cold a few years ago before 0W was available. I figured most vehicles at -40 were using block heaters anyhow.

I'm sure it isn't a case of OMG ENGINE WILL BLOW UP CAUSE 5W INSTEAD OF 0W...... but the 0W is better, and the only excuse for a dealer not to use it is because they are cheap.

 

[RG_Flyer]

I'm sure it isn't a case of OMG ENGINE WILL BLOW UP CAUSE 5W INSTEAD OF 0W...... but the 0W is better, and the only excuse for a dealer not to use it is because they are cheap.

It may be that the dealer would use the 0W-20 if requested but opts otherwise for the 5W-20 to meet a price point for the service. We all agree that 0W-20 costs more than 5W-nn. I would bet that the coveted Mazda 0W Moly oil is not available in bulk and is especially pricey relative to bulk 5W-20. I think where we disagree is whether the dealer is doing the customer a favor or screwing them with the less costly oil. Not everyone wants an $80-$100 oil change. As I said before, I think it is more important to meet the recommended oil change interval. It would be interesting to hear Mazda corporate's take on this. I actually think they would side with the dealer.

 

[Beefy]

It may be that the dealer would use the 0W-20 if requested but opts otherwise for the 5W-20 to meet a price point for the service. We all agree that 0W-20 costs more than 5W-nn. I would bet that the coveted Mazda 0W Moly oil is not available in bulk and is especially pricey relative to bulk 5W-20. I think where we disagree is whether the dealer is doing the customer a favor or screwing them with the less costly oil. Not everyone wants an $80-$100 oil change.

Please stop apologising for them. My Canadian dealer manages a CA $60 oil change with bulk 0W-20. Considering wage and tax differences, that is only going to be ~US $50. Probably Castrol rather than Mazda's moly, but still going to be a more appropriate oil than 5W-20 in Northern winter conditions.

 

[RG_Flyer]

Please stop apologising for them. My Canadian dealer manages a CA $60 oil change with bulk 0W-20. Considering wage and tax differences, that is only going to be ~US $50. Probably Castrol rather than Mazda's moly, but still going to be a more appropriate oil than 5W-20 in Northern winter conditions.

Fair enough, the coldest I have seen here is -23F, and that was long ago. For my purposes, the viscosity difference is insignificant, but I appreciate that some have extreme requirements.

FWIW, I was not being an apologist for the dealership(s), rather making a technical point regarding the oil requirements and possibly explaining their rationale. I have never taken my vehicle to a dealership for maintenance, opting to do it myself.

 

[kelvincheu]

I will call Mazda HQ at Irvine,CA to file a complain.