Hi everybody! New guy from Jersey. I’ve been back and forth over the oil argument for years and decided to see what everyone here recommends, since this is probably the most knowledgeable place around for such info.
I’ll be honest, I have no idea how to decipher the lab tests aside from a basic idea, so the super technical things may go right over my head, but I’m happy to learn.
So here’s the question. What kind of oil can you guys recommend for me? I’ve been using Amsoil up until I got this car, which I love, but I was thinking about going cheaper for this car since it’s my daily and isn’t the car I spend the majority of my money on. If Amsoil were closer to shelf synthetic prices I’d gladly stick with it. And secondly, what kind of change interval would you recommend? I’ve always been a 3 month/3k mile guy only because I consider it cheap insurance, but let me know what you think.
My car:
-99 Miata 1.8L, 5sp
-Don’t have an owner’s manual but Mazda recommends 10w/30. I’ve heard of many owners switching to 5w/30 because it makes the lifters less noisy, they’re known to be somewhat loud on these cars, not a defect, just a quirk. I’d probably do the same.
-I live in central NJ, blazing summers and frigid winters, temp can range anywhere from 0-100*F, right now it’s about 20*F
-I drive fairly spirited. I’m a musclecar guy so I have been known to beat on cars now and then.
-I usually average about 8-10k miles a year. I work close to home which is a city drive, a bit of stop & go. I do take highway trips once in a while, usually within 100 miles or so of home.
-Car has no known problems. Doesn’t leak or burn anything, no lifter noise as of yet.
As far as oils go I’m open minded. I just want something that will help the car run as smooth as possible and make the motor last as long as possible. I’d prefer synthetic but as I said I’m open minded. I love Amsoil to death but there’s only 1 place that carries it near me and it’s $8+ a quart…a little pricey for my blood.
Thanks in advance!!
I’ll be honest, I have no idea how to decipher the lab tests aside from a basic idea, so the super technical things may go right over my head, but I’m happy to learn.
So here’s the question. What kind of oil can you guys recommend for me? I’ve been using Amsoil up until I got this car, which I love, but I was thinking about going cheaper for this car since it’s my daily and isn’t the car I spend the majority of my money on. If Amsoil were closer to shelf synthetic prices I’d gladly stick with it. And secondly, what kind of change interval would you recommend? I’ve always been a 3 month/3k mile guy only because I consider it cheap insurance, but let me know what you think.
My car:
-99 Miata 1.8L, 5sp
-Don’t have an owner’s manual but Mazda recommends 10w/30. I’ve heard of many owners switching to 5w/30 because it makes the lifters less noisy, they’re known to be somewhat loud on these cars, not a defect, just a quirk. I’d probably do the same.
-I live in central NJ, blazing summers and frigid winters, temp can range anywhere from 0-100*F, right now it’s about 20*F
-I drive fairly spirited. I’m a musclecar guy so I have been known to beat on cars now and then.
-I usually average about 8-10k miles a year. I work close to home which is a city drive, a bit of stop & go. I do take highway trips once in a while, usually within 100 miles or so of home.
-Car has no known problems. Doesn’t leak or burn anything, no lifter noise as of yet.
As far as oils go I’m open minded. I just want something that will help the car run as smooth as possible and make the motor last as long as possible. I’d prefer synthetic but as I said I’m open minded. I love Amsoil to death but there’s only 1 place that carries it near me and it’s $8+ a quart…a little pricey for my blood.
Thanks in advance!!