Synthetic or Regular
02-23-2012, 04:46 AM
#1
Synthetic or Regular
Depending on who I talk to, the answer is Synthetic or Regular..
I've heard that Synthetic in a rotary is a big no no, and I have also heard that it's good for our engines... Which one is it? What viscosity?
The engine is basically brand new and will be seeing about 10-13psi of boost..
Thanks!
Mark
I've heard that Synthetic in a rotary is a big no no, and I have also heard that it's good for our engines... Which one is it? What viscosity?
The engine is basically brand new and will be seeing about 10-13psi of boost..
Thanks!
Mark
02-23-2012, 05:42 AM
#2
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This has been argued back and forth since the forum started. There a plenty of people on both sides of the fence. You've been a member here for long enough to know better. Just go back through and read the many other threads on the topic and go with what you think is right for you and your set up.
This thread will just turn into a **** fest of people regurgitating the same info that they've read or posted in the older threads, people yelling search, and newbs adding their mis-informed 2 cents. That's my 2 cents anyway.
This thread will just turn into a **** fest of people regurgitating the same info that they've read or posted in the older threads, people yelling search, and newbs adding their mis-informed 2 cents. That's my 2 cents anyway.
02-23-2012, 06:51 AM
#3
Either oil is fine but synthetic is superior in every regard on an atomic level. It's pure physical science and I don't understand why some members refuse to believe it but synthetic will provide better lubrication. It also has less impurities to damage internal components such as the seals.
This thread will flood with everyone's opinion and experiences.
As for myself, I use Royal Purple 5W-20 for the slight increase in fuel economy since I drive 110 miles a day.
Using mineral oil has been proven to be fine in the rotary so you can't really go wrong either way. It's just that one is more "right".
This thread will flood with everyone's opinion and experiences.
As for myself, I use Royal Purple 5W-20 for the slight increase in fuel economy since I drive 110 miles a day.
Using mineral oil has been proven to be fine in the rotary so you can't really go wrong either way. It's just that one is more "right".
02-23-2012, 08:35 AM
#5
The only reason I never really invested in synthetic oil is because I'm strange about changing my oil every 2,000 miles on a rotary. And using synthetic would cost a lot more than some good old GTX. My own "personal" opinion on oil weight is 5w20 = trash. For the love of god you might as well spray some WD40 down the engine it will probably give you better protection than 5w20....
I personally run 10w40, maybe if I lived in Alaska I would consider something thinner like 10w30 or 5w30.
I personally run 10w40, maybe if I lived in Alaska I would consider something thinner like 10w30 or 5w30.
02-23-2012, 11:54 AM
#6
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I like how the only different oils they have grouped together are 5w20 and 5w30, so you don't see that 5w20 would only go up to about 100 degrees on that chart maybe a tad less.
I went 10w40 also after a whole lot of reading on here. It can hit 115+ degrees out here in the summer. I would rather run a 0w40 or 5w40 but I cant actually find that.
If someone wants to know more about oil than they could ever remember, check this out. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136052 It has no rotary specific info, but it explains just about everything if not everything about oil.
I went 10w40 also after a whole lot of reading on here. It can hit 115+ degrees out here in the summer. I would rather run a 0w40 or 5w40 but I cant actually find that.
If someone wants to know more about oil than they could ever remember, check this out. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136052 It has no rotary specific info, but it explains just about everything if not everything about oil.
Last edited by xexok; 02-23-2012 at 11:59 AM.
02-23-2012, 12:28 PM
#7
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Which oil to use
The most debated question in the community, bordering on a religious war, so I won't try to cover every point here.
It boils down to deciding for yourself.
Some go with 5w20, to stay with Mazda's recommendation in North America. Some go with 5w30 to go with Mazda's recommendation outside North America. Others go to 10w40 or even 20w50, the most common weights among RX-7s. The general arguement revolves around if 5w20 is too thin or not. Typically, you want to go with a heavier weight oil (higher numbers) the hotter the environment you live in. Many manuals outside of North America state something to this effect. So research up on it, and make your own decision.
Dino vs synthetic is another hot topic, with the main arguement revolving around if the strength of the synthetic is worth the cost, and if there is any better burning (or not better burning) than dino oils, and if any deposits are left behind that could increase engine wear. Mazda only recommends non-synthetic, but does not require it. Your decision.
And yes, all weights of oils mix with all other weights of oils, roughly averaging the numbers. Half 5w20 and half 5w40 is roughly 5w30, for example. Not precisely, but close enough. Dino also mixes entirely fine with synthetic.
The most debated question in the community, bordering on a religious war, so I won't try to cover every point here.
It boils down to deciding for yourself.
Some go with 5w20, to stay with Mazda's recommendation in North America. Some go with 5w30 to go with Mazda's recommendation outside North America. Others go to 10w40 or even 20w50, the most common weights among RX-7s. The general arguement revolves around if 5w20 is too thin or not. Typically, you want to go with a heavier weight oil (higher numbers) the hotter the environment you live in. Many manuals outside of North America state something to this effect. So research up on it, and make your own decision.
Dino vs synthetic is another hot topic, with the main arguement revolving around if the strength of the synthetic is worth the cost, and if there is any better burning (or not better burning) than dino oils, and if any deposits are left behind that could increase engine wear. Mazda only recommends non-synthetic, but does not require it. Your decision.
And yes, all weights of oils mix with all other weights of oils, roughly averaging the numbers. Half 5w20 and half 5w40 is roughly 5w30, for example. Not precisely, but close enough. Dino also mixes entirely fine with synthetic.
02-23-2012, 01:19 PM
#11
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
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idk why you guys keep fighting ofer this. just run some slick 50 in it, drain it out and you will be fine forever
02-23-2012, 01:33 PM
#13
Registered
My "opinion" is that the difference in viscosity between the 5w-30 and 5w-20 is not significant enough. Other variables such as poor maintenance habits and clogged oil injectors might be more plausible in regards to engine failure.
The correlation between higher viscosity and engine longetivy is also hard to prove. Some engines seem to fail regardless.
Finally, I cannot even imagine for one second Mazda would recommend 5w-20 in the US knowing such grade would harm engines - even if the primary goal was to pass emissions and fuel economy standards.
02-23-2012, 01:39 PM
#14
02-23-2012, 01:52 PM
#16
Your "personal opinion" is certainly that - an opinion. But saying the 5w-20 provides no protection at all is quite a stretch.
My "opinion" is that the difference in viscosity between the 5w-30 and 5w-20 is not significant enough. Other variables such as poor maintenance habits and clogged oil injectors might be more plausible in regards to engine failure.
The correlation between higher viscosity and engine longetivy is also hard to prove. Some engines seem to fail regardless.
Finally, I cannot even imagine for one second Mazda would recommend 5w-20 in the US knowing such grade would harm engines - even if the primary goal was to pass emissions and fuel economy standards.
My "opinion" is that the difference in viscosity between the 5w-30 and 5w-20 is not significant enough. Other variables such as poor maintenance habits and clogged oil injectors might be more plausible in regards to engine failure.
The correlation between higher viscosity and engine longetivy is also hard to prove. Some engines seem to fail regardless.
Finally, I cannot even imagine for one second Mazda would recommend 5w-20 in the US knowing such grade would harm engines - even if the primary goal was to pass emissions and fuel economy standards.
It exist simply because it would allow the engine to last until the manufacture warranty is over while giving a few extra % increase in mpg. And this applies to all kind of ICE, not just rotary.
Mazda is not stupid of course, but their marketing department is. We have such retarded mpg requirements that every one has to meet. And average americans sell their car when the manufacture warranty is over. So why is it sooo suprising that mnao pick an oil that would allow them to last long enough till the warranty is over?
Not to memtion if u want to argue 5w20 is good enough then you should explain why people that use 5w20 only is seeing abnormal stationary and rotor bearing wear?
Engine is just like everything else in life, some dies sooner rather than later. This engine seems to suck becuase every sigle people on earth is crying babies and whine about every single thing
Last edited by nycgps; 02-23-2012 at 02:02 PM.
02-23-2012, 01:53 PM
#17
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
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02-23-2012, 02:00 PM
#18
The only thing I can think of why they do not recommend the use of synthetic oils is maybe they do not burn very well and will plug up your ports over time. As a mechanic of almost 40 years I have learned that the manufacturer recommendations as far as oil goes is probably best for the equipment. After all they were the people who spent millions doing all the R & D that goes into engine building. Nobody knows more about rotary engines than Mazda, that you can go to the bank on.
02-23-2012, 02:10 PM
#19
Your "personal opinion" is certainly that - an opinion. But saying the 5w-20 provides no protection at all is quite a stretch.
My "opinion" is that the difference in viscosity between the 5w-30 and 5w-20 is not significant enough. Other variables such as poor maintenance habits and clogged oil injectors might be more plausible in regards to engine failure.
The correlation between higher viscosity and engine longetivy is also hard to prove. Some engines seem to fail regardless.
Finally, I cannot even imagine for one second Mazda would recommend 5w-20 in the US knowing such grade would harm engines - even if the primary goal was to pass emissions and fuel economy standards.
My "opinion" is that the difference in viscosity between the 5w-30 and 5w-20 is not significant enough. Other variables such as poor maintenance habits and clogged oil injectors might be more plausible in regards to engine failure.
The correlation between higher viscosity and engine longetivy is also hard to prove. Some engines seem to fail regardless.
Finally, I cannot even imagine for one second Mazda would recommend 5w-20 in the US knowing such grade would harm engines - even if the primary goal was to pass emissions and fuel economy standards.
-Why is 5w20 only recommended in the USA?
-Do we have specially built engines compared to the rest of the world?
-Do we have a special climate that covers our entire country that no other part of the world sees, that would merit such a statement that only North American owners should use 5w20?
The short answer: US EPA
02-23-2012, 03:50 PM
#21
It may have more to do with CAFE than EPA but it may also be that Americans have a tendancy to drive longer distances covering a lot of climate change. They don't drive like we do in Europe. A 2000 km drive would be a huge trip, for us its just a couple of days on the road.
02-23-2012, 03:51 PM
#22
The only thing I can think of why they do not recommend the use of synthetic oils is maybe they do not burn very well and will plug up your ports over time. As a mechanic of almost 40 years I have learned that the manufacturer recommendations as far as oil goes is probably best for the equipment. After all they were the people who spent millions doing all the R & D that goes into engine building. Nobody knows more about rotary engines than Mazda, that you can go to the bank on.
YEah I know we had like 23490812049712 of Synthetic oil thread so ... another one doesn't hurt, right ?
02-23-2012, 06:01 PM
#23
Registered
5w20 or 0w20 is in fact trash.
It exist simply because it would allow the engine to last until the manufacture warranty is over while giving a few extra % increase in mpg. And this applies to all kind of ICE, not just rotary.
Mazda is not stupid of course, but their marketing department is. We have such retarded mpg requirements that every one has to meet. And average americans sell their car when the manufacture warranty is over. So why is it sooo suprising that mnao pick an oil that would allow them to last long enough till the warranty is over?
Not to memtion if u want to argue 5w20 is good enough then you should explain why people that use 5w20 only is seeing abnormal stationary and rotor bearing wear?
Engine is just like everything else in life, some dies sooner rather than later. This engine seems to suck becuase every sigle people on earth is crying babies and whine about every single thing
It exist simply because it would allow the engine to last until the manufacture warranty is over while giving a few extra % increase in mpg. And this applies to all kind of ICE, not just rotary.
Mazda is not stupid of course, but their marketing department is. We have such retarded mpg requirements that every one has to meet. And average americans sell their car when the manufacture warranty is over. So why is it sooo suprising that mnao pick an oil that would allow them to last long enough till the warranty is over?
Not to memtion if u want to argue 5w20 is good enough then you should explain why people that use 5w20 only is seeing abnormal stationary and rotor bearing wear?
Engine is just like everything else in life, some dies sooner rather than later. This engine seems to suck becuase every sigle people on earth is crying babies and whine about every single thing
I still feel the whole idea of Mazda recommending 5w-20 so that the engine will die soon after warranty expires is just a conspiracy theory, lol
Abnormal bearing wear is an interesting variable though.
02-23-2012, 06:08 PM
#25
Registered
I'm not really sure why they were put together either. Makes me wonder....
I agree with all your statements, except the last one.
-Why is 5w20 only recommended in the USA?
-Do we have specially built engines compared to the rest of the world?
-Do we have a special climate that covers our entire country that no other part of the world sees, that would merit such a statement that only North American owners should use 5w20?
The short answer: US EPA
I agree with all your statements, except the last one.
-Why is 5w20 only recommended in the USA?
-Do we have specially built engines compared to the rest of the world?
-Do we have a special climate that covers our entire country that no other part of the world sees, that would merit such a statement that only North American owners should use 5w20?
The short answer: US EPA