Switched to 5W-30 from 0W-20

[madar]

I tend to change around 4000 miles. I monitor how strong the smell of fuel is in the oil and the colour.

I am at 350k km and use 5w20/5w30 (whatever costco stocks when i am there.)

In the winter, since i am doing mostly short distance trips these days, I changed a bit sooner.

Yeah, that's another big thing with these engines, particularly with DI, fuel dilution and oil shear down. Another reason why I stick with the 5w-30 boutique oils.

 

[Lazy2.5]

The most objective way with which 5w30 is better than 0w20 is if you are dealing with some oil consumption. While oil cannot just fix whatever is causing the consumption,(unless you use one with high mileage additives, potentially), making the switch can easily be enough to negate the need to add oil in between changes.

 

[madar]

The most objective way with which 5w30 is better than 0w20 is if you are dealing with some oil consumption. While oil cannot just fix whatever is causing the consumption,(unless you use one with high mileage additives, potentially), making the switch can easily be enough to negate the need to add oil in between changes.

Consumption can be caused by gummed up rings as seen on engines with high OCI, fuel dilution, shear down, etc.. The Valvoline Protect and Restore seems to solve this by its incredible cleaning abilities, just one example of a good oil solving a simple consumption issue. I think 5w-30 is way more protective than 0w-20, which IMO was solely spec'd out for CAFE. If I had an unusual consumption issue I'd go with the Valvoline cleaner stuff first, then bump it up to a good 5w-30.

 

[ruthrj]

I'd go with the Valvoline cleaner stuff first, then bump it up to a good 5w-30.

Or do both, use 5w-30 restore formulation. I think they say you need several oci’s for it to be effective, it’s a slow cleaning agent.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Consumption can be caused by gummed up rings as seen on engines with high OCI, fuel dilution, shear down, etc.. The Valvoline Protect and Restore seems to solve this by its incredible cleaning abilities, just one example of a good oil solving a simple consumption issue. I think 5w-30 is way more protective than 0w-20, which IMO was solely spec'd out for CAFE. If I had an unusual consumption issue I'd go with the Valvoline cleaner stuff first, then bump it up to a good 5w-30.

Well, with an engine that has kept up on oil changes, I'd argue that worn seals would be a more significant cause of consumption and fuel dilution.

I tried putting this stuff into my high mileage 2.5, though I have no objective way to determine its efficacy.

Early on in the vehicle's life, when it was on 0w20, it consumed some oil. a few treatments of STP high mileage oil additive seemed to seal up the engine. It does not burn any oil now, so I recommend those high mileage engine treatments/oils.

Keep in mind that 5W30 is also a "CAFE approved" oil..

I will likely keep using 5w30/5w20 due to price and availability at costco, but ideally I would like to move up to 5w40 at least in the summer.

 

[madar]

Well, with an engine that has kept up on oil changes, I'd argue that worn seals would be a more significant cause of consumption and fuel dilution.

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I tried putting this stuff into my high mileage 2.5, though I have no objective way to determine its efficacy.

Early on in the vehicle's life, when it was on 0w20, it consumed some oil. a few treatments of STP high mileage oil additive seemed to seal up the engine. It does not burn any oil now, so I recommend those high mileage engine treatments/oils.

Keep in mind that 5W30 is also a "CAFE approved" oil..

I will likely keep using 5w30/5w20 due to price and availability at costco, but ideally I would like to move up to 5w40 at least in the summer.

Why do you want to go to a 40 weight?

 

[ruthrj]

Why do you want to go to a 40 weight?

For those days at the track Shake and Bake!

 

[Lazy2.5]

Why do you want to go to a 40 weight?

I've done it before. It's justified in 30+C weather when engine load is high enough. I have a 91 octane tune. over 350k KM.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Yes.


And here’s the recommended oil viscosity chart from Mazda CX-5 Owner’s Manual world wide:

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I finally used up my stock of Mazda 0W-20 moly oil and switched to Castrol Edge 5W-30 oil during the oil change last week. Honestly I can hardly tell the difference after the switch, other than the valve train noise is a bit quieter.

Yeah I've been using either the Castrol Edge or Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 since 2018 now (whatever is cheaper at the time) and been super pleased. I switched to the High Mileage versions a couple years ago.