Thoughts on 0-20W Oil?

[kendel7]

Been watching YouTube videos about how 0-20W oil is too thin to adequately protect the engine. Your thoughts?

 

[Moonlighter]

See what the experts say:

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I’ve been running 0W-20 for over 10 years in my CX-5 and a little less in a 1UR-FE in my GX 460. No noticeable oil consumption. It’s not called for in the turbo Mazdas so I wouldn’t run it there.

 

[theblooms]

If it wasn't appropriate, the engineers who designed the car wouldn't have specified it.

 

[wlong01]

Love how Yourtube armchair mechanics know more than automotive engineers.

 

[GFrosty]

The SkyActiv 2.5L engine for USA/Canada has been specified to use the 0W-20 viscosity "for optimum fuel economy", for both the Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 ("severe" conditions) driving. For Mexico, it's been specified as 5W-30.

The engineers specified this. Though, to be fair, after the warranty ends the vehicle isn't technically the manufacturer's problem to cover.

So far, for the first ~130Kmi, my own CX-5 has gotten 0W-20 full synthetic, most recently with Mobil 1 0W-20 full synth high-mileage.

But my vehicle definitely classifies for the "severe driving" Schedule 2, with mostly slower-speed, stop-and-go, with occasional hot/dusty trips, though no towing. Which justifies the more-frequent oil+filter swaps at 5Kmi intervals, instead of at the 'normal' (Schedule 1) 10Kmi.

Myself, in my own car if I were to add towing or more trips to much hotter/dustier climate, above and beyond the short/stop-and-go driving I mostly do, then I would have no qualms over switching to a suitable 5W-30 full synth (ie, Mobil 1 5W-30 high-mileage).

I feel the 5W-30 ought to provide a bit better "severe conditions" protection. Where I am, there are a couple of months where winter can get quite cold (sub-0ºF), so with 5W-30 I would want to avoid the coldest weeks.

 

[N7turbo]

The engineers specified this. Though, to be fair, after the warranty ends the vehicle isn't technically the manufacturer's problem to cover.

I don't like oil arguments that rely on "the engineers" because the engineers didn't write the manual.

Otherwise, you'd be able to say that "the engineers" specified this:

 

[GFrosty]

I don't like oil arguments that rely on "the engineers" because the engineers didn't write the manual.

I seriously doubt "marketing" weenies are going to put an entire company on the hook for baseless claims the company's engineering designs aren't capable of backing, just 'cause Marketing wants it so.

That said, I've little respect for marketing-driven choices either. But I strongly suspect that the decision to use this or that lubrication for the SkyActiv systems neither started nor ended with Marketing peccadilloes.

 

[N7turbo]

It's probably not the marketing department.

 

[Buzzman12]

Lots of threads and discussions on here over the past many years.
I kind of thought the subject was pretty much beaten to death.
Anyway, the 0W20 requirement in the US is based on CAFE requirements. As the manual says, for optimum fuel economy. Not for engineering reasons. Everywhere else it's 5W30.
You can search prior discussions on here for more input into the discussion.
I switched my 2017 Mazda 6 to 5W30 after the first year. Ran with it until I sold it last year.
In my humble opinion, the engine ran quieter and smoother. I don't have the car anymore, but I would not run 0w20 in any of my vehicles. Opinions may vary.

 

[Moonlighter]

Everywhere else it's 5W30.

Except its not.

Mazda specifies 0W20 for Australia.

 

[N7turbo]

Lots of threads and discussions on here over the past many years.
I kind of thought the subject was pretty much beaten to death.
Anyway, the 0W20 requirement in the US is based on CAFE requirements. As the manual says, for optimum fuel economy. Not for engineering reasons. Everywhere else it's 5W30.
You can search prior discussions on here for more input into the discussion.
I switched my 2017 Mazda 6 to 5W30 after the first year. Ran with it until I sold it last year.
In my humble opinion, the engine ran quieter and smoother. I don't have the car anymore, but I would not run 0w20 in any of my vehicles. Opinions may vary.

For further evidence, I give you Exhibit B, the new, lighter transmission fluid Mazda developed for 2024 and up. Can not be used in prior year transmissions, though. This isn't really advertised, but it's another small thing to try to squeeze out more efficiency.

Next, Mazda is developing engines that run a perfect stochiometric fuel ratio for the highest efficiency.

 

[Lazy2.5]

It's specified for 0.2 mpg increase in fuel economy to meet CAFE standards.

The engine runs smoother with 5w30. No 0w20 anywhere near my engine.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Next, Mazda is developing engines that run a perfect stochiometric fuel ratio for the highest efficiency.

The NA 2.5 already does this.

 

[RobertJT]

A couple of years back Mazda had a problem with oil coagulating in the oil return line of the 4 cylinder turbo chargers. As a result they recommended 5W-30 to be used in all cars equipped with turbo chargers. Supposedly that fixed the problem and turbos stopped failing. Nothing specific has been published on the CX90 but they do mention for Mexico and Canada 5W-30 on the exact same vehicle. Based on that I assume it can be used on the ones sold in the US. Climate in Mexico is not much different then lets say Texas and the same goes for Canada and Minnesota.

I have cars dating back to 2019 and just out of convenience I only use 5W30 in all of them. I have yet to see any problem in any of them.

 

[N7turbo]

A couple of years back Mazda had a problem with oil coagulating in the oil return line of the 4 cylinder turbo chargers.

SkyActiv?

 

[dunhillmc]

A couple of years back Mazda had a problem with oil coagulating in the oil return line of the 4 cylinder turbo chargers. As a result they recommended 5W-30 to be used in all cars equipped with turbo chargers. Supposedly that fixed the problem and turbos stopped failing. Nothing specific has been published on the CX90 but they do mention for Mexico and Canada 5W-30 on the exact same vehicle. Based on that I assume it can be used on the ones sold in the US. Climate in Mexico is not much different then lets say Texas and the same goes for Canada and Minnesota.

I have cars dating back to 2019 and just out of convenience I only use 5W30 in all of them. I have yet to see any problem in any of them.

Canada gets 0w-20 also.
It sounds like you're just repeating what the guy in the video said. Pre-Skyactive would have been when Mazda was partnered with Ford and using Ford parts. I think a reason that OEMs say use 5w-30 in other countries is because 0w-20 might not be as available there
For the CX90, the high moly 0w-20 he mentions in the video is what Mazda is having dealers stock to use for oil changes. I doubt many do though because of the cost

 

[ADS-B]

Like @Buzzman12 said it few posts earlier, like other people said it over and over again, the reason Mazda recommends 0W20 in United States is CAFE requirements. Full stop.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

IMO: Fluid weights and brands will never be a settled topic... it is up there with politics and religion

If I don't have oil consumption or leaks over a long period of time I'm good with it... that is just me though... and IMO

 

[dunhillmc]

Like @Buzzman12 said it few posts earlier, like other people said it over and over again, the reason Mazda recommends 0W20 in United States is CAFE requirements. Full stop.

Does Canada have CAFE too?