The big oil question

[FrequentFlyer]

there are alot of choices. I don't know if i would pull the trigger on a 15w40 oil... but i might invest in redline or some higher grade oil.

I am thinking about switching to a 10w30 or 5w40 though... I'm gonna talk with my service guy also and see what their 2nd opinion holds.

I'm curious as to whether anyone out there with oil pressure/temp gauges in this car have used higher weight oils, like 10W-40 or 15W-40 and have seen any abnormalities in pressure/temp using them. Does this motor typically show higher oil temps than the average NA motor? I know we have an oil cooler, but how well does it work? If you look at any of the Euro formula's which are pretty much designed for turbocharged motors, they're all 10W-40 or 15W-40.

 

[AutoXRacer]

I'm curious as to whether anyone out there with oil pressure/temp gauges in this car have used higher weight oils, like 10W-40 or 15W-40 and have seen any abnormalities in pressure/temp using them. Does this motor typically show higher oil temps than the average NA motor? I know we have an oil cooler, but how well does it work? If you look at any of the Euro formula's which are pretty much designed for turbocharged motors, they're all 10W-40 or 15W-40.

I don't know the physical results from using a thick weight oil, other than slightly higher oil pressures and slight less temps.

The reason our cars use the 5W-30 is for fuel efficiency. The lighter the oil, the less fluid friction... Thats the way the auto industry is able to meet the tight EPA/government requirements.

Personally, I could go to a 10W-40 with Red Line and still maintain the flow characteristics of a 5W-30...though, I haven't really found the need to. One thing I'd like to do and will probably do is upgrade the oil cooler. The OEM one is garbage!!!!

 

[J-Villa]

yeah i have also thought of upgrading the oil cooler.

But today i went into my stealership to get my first oil change and When i get the car back, the paperwork says 5w20. I asked the tech. if that was correct b/c a 5w30 is almost too light for the car, he said no they should have put 5w30 into the car. I get in and the window sticker says 5w20 as well.

If for some chance my dealer DID put 5w20 into my car, what kind of side effects will I see? I'm about to order some redline, go up there and demand a refund and a new, free oil change with my oil. If their paperwork is incorrect, how can i trust the tech knew what he was doing...

 

[FrequentFlyer]

I wouldn't have even left the dealership without them draining that crap out and putting the correct weight in there. God forbid you did that, they'd be the first ones to hang you by the short and curlies if you had a warranty issue. If the paperwork is incorrect and everything points toward them screwing it up, demand it to be changed again. This motor is going to eat that oil up and spit it out like water. It'll probably be down to a 0w-10 weight before you know it.

 

[fructus]

Damn straight

 

[AutoXRacer]

I wouldn't have even left the dealership without them draining that crap out and putting the correct weight in there. God forbid you did that, they'd be the first ones to hang you by the short and curlies if you had a warranty issue. If the paperwork is incorrect and everything points toward them screwing it up, demand it to be changed again. This motor is going to eat that oil up and spit it out like water. It'll probably be down to a 0w-10 weight before you know it.

+1
You shouldn't have left without them draining it and replacing it with the correct weight. A lot of dealers have been doing that...thinking since all the other Mazda3 take 5W-20, the MS3 is no different.

Its scary when you think about how techs are clueless about the cars they work on. Now I don't know if its the dealers fault for not training them, but the treat your car like cattle...

Drain it as soon as you can... You engine/turbo will vaporize that oil instantly. It probably won't hurt for the first week or so...but if you have a heavy foot...get it out!!!

I wouldn't go to the dealers with Red Line or any type of oil like that...some dealers consider that a warranty issue; just fyi. Again, they are clueless... How would you say a "racing approved" oil is not going to protect your engine better than a generic auto parts oil...? It's beyond my understanding...

 

[J-Villa]

ugh... i hate dealerships.

I'm going to call tomorrow and ask about it. I really dont want to mess up a car on it's 1st oil change!

I figure if i go somewhere besides the dealership for oil changes, rotations, and what not; as long as i have paperwork they can't doing any warantee b.s. on me.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

If everything you have says they put 5W-20 in there, I would have the service manager right up a statement that they mistakenly put oil not recommended by the manufacturer in your car and that it had to be changed again. This way, if they ever pull that crap on you, you whip out this piece of paper and say, "You're trying to void my warranty and you can't even do your job correctly?". If you want to go a step further, take a sample and send it off to Blackstone labs.