Switched to 5W-30 from 0W-20

[Lazy2.5]

Improving engine cleanliness and preventing LSPI is definitely not nonsense. Large sums of money have gone into R&D to make these advances.

Respectfully - Until I see objective proof of improved engine cleanliness or reductions in LSPI, I'm not buying it. I think this R&D has more to do with marketing certain types of oils to certain consumers/vehicle owners, and that oil change intervals matter more.

With that being said, I'm sure there are variations to different types of oils, but I am also confident that just putting whatever oil into your engine, not running it excessively hard or idling for prolonged periods of time, and changing it on time is most important.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I'm still deciding if I'm going to move to 5W-30 with my 2.5NA.

The 2.5 Is approved for up to 10W50 in other markets, no need to worry.

Unless you live in the arctic tundra, you're probably best off making the switch.

I ran 0W-20 throughout my ownership of my 2019 Toyota C-HR until it was totaled. The car had 185,000 miles on it. Didn't burn any oil.

That's fantastic.

As to getting up to operating temps, with my 2013 BMW 135i, there is an oil temp gauge.

I had a F10 BMW 5 series with the N52 engine. I liked being able to see oil temps. I noticed that the oil took a while to get up to temp in cold weather.

I don't know if the 2.5Ts have an oil temp gauge.

They do not.

For turbo engines, it's more important to monitor the oil temp over coolant temp.

It is for any engine.

However, monitoring coolant temp is helpful for noticing potential cooling system issues.

It takes at least 15 minutes or so of light driving before the oil temp approaches any temp that I would consider safe to apply more than part throttle. I would say at least 20 minutes.

I agree.

In regards to Toyota, I was considering a Corolla Cross before settling on the CX-5. Because I'm a gear head/DIYer, I always poke around the engine bay. I was surprised to see a sticker stating the recommended oil for that 2026 Corolla Cross is 0W-8.

Ridiculous.

An option I'm considering for my CX-5 is possibly 5W-20 based on the videos Lake Speed has put out. He said the base oil has more stability if the two viscosity numbers are closer together.

Interesting, I've never heard of this.

I would not worry too much about what weight you choose. You're totally free to go thicker if you wanted to. It mostly depends on what sort of climate you drive in and how hard you run the engine.

 

[N7turbo]

Respectfully - Until I see objective proof of improved engine cleanliness or reductions in LSPI, I'm not buying it.

Dude. They literally have to pass the new tests or they don't get certified as an API SP oil. I'm sorry, but you don't get to poo-poo this stuff just because you choose not to believe it. It's a pretty serious industry.

Oil Categories

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry.

www.api.org

Introduced in May 2020, designed to provide protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), timing chain wear protection, improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, more stringent sludge and varnish control, improved fuel economy, enhanced emission control system protection and protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Dude. They literally have to pass the new tests or they don't get certified as an API SP oil. I'm sorry, but you don't get to poo-poo this stuff just because you choose not to believe it. It's a pretty serious industry.

Oil Categories

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry.

www.api.org

It sounds great on paper, but I won't believe that there's anything significantly improved about this new oil until I see it proven in some objective way.

 

[N7turbo]

It sounds great on paper, but I won't believe that there's anything significantly improved about this new oil until I see it proven in some objective way.

The tests prove it in objective ways—that is how they are allowed to advertise that they meet the spec. It's not theoretical.

 

[jadmt]

The tests prove it in objective ways—that is how they are allowed to advertise that they meet the spec. It's not theoretical.

Not sure How there can be an argument?

 

[ColoradoDriver]

0-20 synthetic is recommended. That’s what I use. Mobil1. No issues. And I don’t void my warranty….

The 2.5L Naturally Aspirated Skyactiv is spec'd to use 0w20 and 5w30 with 5w20 as a backup option per the manual.

In my opinion, 0w20 is purely a cafe thing in the US.

I've been using 5w30 in my CX-5 since 2019 now.

 

[Lazy2.5]

In my opinion, 0w20 is purely a cafe thing in the US.

That is not an opinion. It is factual reality. It's suggested in the owners manual.

I've been using 5w30 in my CX-5 since 2019 now.

 

[ADS-B]

That is not an opinion. It is factual reality. It's suggested in the owners manual.

 

[Mazdiod2]

I picked up some Pennzoil platinum 5w-30. It was hard to find on the shelf because there were so many other grades. Initially I accidently picked up a 5w-20 but I put it back. For some reason Ford always recommends 5w-20, but I've read there's a big recall for GM and the temporary fix is 5w-30 *(rather than 0w-20 or whatever).
I read the SP oils are supposed to be better at dealing with the carbon from the Direct injection, and I think about all of the oils on the shelf there are probably SP.

 

[clownshoes2]

There's a whole lot of actchually's going on in this thread. How about, you use whatever oil you want and if you blow up your motor we all get to say "Neener Neener Neener, you're a big fat weiner!".

 

[SparkYellow]

I am on my first round of VRP 5w30 with OEM filter. 2K more miles to go in 5K interval. Next filter will have a nylon cage.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

Just buy the turbo and don’t worry about thin oil, cylinder deactivation or iStop nonsense.

 

[Buzzman12]

The 2.5L Naturally Aspirated Skyactiv is spec'd to use 0w20 and 5w30 with 5w20 as a backup option per the manual.

In my opinion, 0w20 is purely a cafe thing in the US.

I've been using 5w30 in my CX-5 since 2019 now.

Ran 5w30 in my 2017 Mazda 6, from the first oil change, until I sold the car in 2023.
I even replaced the oil filler cap with one that said 5w30 on it.
Car was always happier and quieter. Zero issues. Dealer had no issue with it.