Decent oil for Protege5

[dwmcqueen]

I currently have a 2002.5 Mazda Protege5. I have been toying around with the oil and it seems to range from Mobil 1 5w-30, Mobil 1 10w-30, Amsoil ASL 5w-30 and soon some Mobil 1 0w-30. I almost put in Motorcraft blend.

When I searched the UOA forums, I only found a report from my car back when it had an aftermarket intake on it - now everything is stock.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good oil / oil filer (I know different forum but same topic) for this car based on previous experience with similar? I've been eyeing the Asmoil S2K 0w-30 or 3K 5w-30, but what about some of that other diesel oil?

 

[JHZR2]

since there arent many good UOAs to judge by, youll have to figure this one out for yourself...

I'd suggest mobil 1 for a Japanese engine. Seems to work quite well. Id venture a guess that said engine is specced for 5w-20 oil? If so m1 synthetic would be a good bet since its a light 30 wt.

Motorraft oils would be good choices, IMO, partially because of the ford connection, and partially because they are well-designed oils.

Amsoil ASL is a good oil, but you could surely do fine with the 'thin' mobil 1 and get an OTC oil.

As for filters, check with any internet parts site that uses worldpac as their parts house (most every one), and see if you can get the denso filters. Their 'first time fit' line seems to be quite good.

JMH

 

[mikemc]

I don't have personal experience with that engine, but I do use Motorcraft filters and they are excellent. I can't imagine a better oil for value and performance than the Motorcraft blends.

 

[Pablo]

I would love to see how the Amsoil Euro 5W-40 (AFL) would do in a Protege5.

 

[totttalled]

I have a 2003.5 Mazda Protege 5 and the engine is a pure Mazda design, not a Ford. The owner's manual does not specify 5W-20, but 5W-30/40 and up, depending on temperature range.

After a 3000 mile break in with Halvoline dino, I use the "German" Castrol 0W30, the oversize Wix oil filters and STP air. The Wix air filter is the red-papered Fram Korean clone in this application.

35000 miles now, and I run the GC for 6 to 8000 mile intervals. The oil still looks like honey on the dipstick at the end of those intervals. But no UOA yet. Maybe someday...

The Wix filter really cuts down on lifter clatter or whatever it is on cold start up. HUGE improvement.

That's my .02. Love the car, BTW. Just put some Pirelli PZero Nero's on it and tremendous difference!

 

[totttalled]

Oh yeah - there is a guy on this forum, olddognewtricks or something like that who swears by Mobil 1 5W-40 for his Protege 5. It's now sold with the "Truck/SUV" label and is diesel-rated, I think. He uses Wix oil filters too.

 

[dwmcqueen]

Is it speced for 5w-40? I thought it was only 10w-30 or 5w-30.

 

[dwmcqueen]

Well, I will do a UOA after the 0w-30 to see how that works out. However I then wonder what I should try out next: Mobil 1 SUV 5w-40, Amsoil S3K 5w-30 or S2k 0w-30. As far as filters, I am currently using K&N but probably will move to either Wix or OEM (since I asked for those in my stocking from my father who owns a Mazda dealership). Currently the car has a strange brew of 2 quarts Mobil1 5w-30, 1 quart SuperTech Synthetic 5w-30, .5 quarts Mobil 1 10w-30 and four ounces Valvoline Synpower Oil Treatment (a "what was on my shelf" blend).

I am using the Motorcraft in my wife's Ford Escort, but Terry is helping me out on that one to figure out the optimal mix.

 

[dwmcqueen]

quote:

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Originally posted by totttalled:
I use the "German" Castrol 0W30, the oversize Wix oil filters and STP air.

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I'd love to try out the "German" Castrol, but can't seem to find it anywhere here in Kansas City.

As for doing a UOA - is it okay to switch from one type oilk to the next with a UOA inbetween or will that skew the numbers?

 

[dwmcqueen]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
I would love to see how the Amsoil Euro 5W-40 (AFL) would do in a Protege5.

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Well, I can put that on the list after the Mobil1 0w-30 (unless a wonderful discount is given

)

 

[Dominic]

I've been running Maxlife or Durablend in my girlfriend's P5 with great success. 10W-30 is the spec, and its what I run. I did find a larger filter for it though, and will be trying it out this weekend. The p/n for the stock filter is a 6607, but the longer 7317 should also fit.

I wouldn't bother running M1 in it with the stock filter on an extended OCI. With such a little sump capacity and the short little gears it has, I wouldn't want to take the oil over 5k on each run. Because of this, I just run $2/qt oil instead of $4-5/qt oil

Just my $0.02

 

[dwmcqueen]

Good point...maybe the Motorcraft blend is the way to go.

The Mobil1 I have in the car was on sale when I bought it (except the 0w-30) and ended up costing about $1.70 a quart - so I bought 50 quarts. I bought it at Target a few years back..

 

[dwmcqueen]

So, would I see useful figures if (after this crazy blended oil I have in there)

1. I put in the Mobil 1 0w-30 I have already bought - did a UOA at 5k.

2. Replace with Amsoil 5w-40 or something similar and did a UOA at 5k.

3. Replace with Motorcraft Blend5w-30 and do a UOA at 5 or 3k?

In all cases I would use an OEM filter and keep track of gas mileage.

 

[totttalled]

Oops, my mistake - yes the spec is for 5w or 10w -30, not 5w-40. Based upon most of what I've read on this board, any of the oils you've mentioned should do fine. I don't know of a significant or noticeable improvement of one over the other. That 0W30 Amsoil is a bit pricey tho. Don't know if it's THAT good.

The German Castrol 0W30 is only available at Autozones and has "made in germany" written on the back of the bottles. $5.

I just personally really buy into the whole "significant part of engine wear is at start up, regardless of ambient temp" concept. This is why I lean towards the 0W, and this variety of Castrol would be more accurately tagged a 0W-35 grade. I like the heavier operating grade due to my hot climate.

 

[dwmcqueen]

How does it contrast withthe Mobil1 0w-30? The Autozone I went to had a Castrol 0w-30 but ti said Made in the US on the back

 

[totttalled]

quote:

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Originally posted by dwmcqueen:
How does it contrast withthe Mobil1 0w-30? The Autozone I went to had a Castrol 0w-30 but ti said Made in the US on the back

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I believe the viscosity difference is the M1 0W-30 is on the "thin side" of 30, the GC is closer in viscosity to the M1 0w-40.

Beyond the viscosity difference, there are tons of threads explaining the compositional differences far better than I can.

But I'll be the first to admit we're all just probably splitting hairs here once you get to a certain quality. But it sounds like you got the best program of all with 50 quarts of M1 for $1.70 per!!

 

[dwmcqueen]

quote:

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Originally posted by totttalled:
But I'll be the first to admit we're all just probably splitting hairs here once you get to a certain quality. But it sounds like you got the best program of all with 50 quarts of M1 for $1.70 per!!

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Yeah - but I am about to run out!!!!