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Hi guys. I have a question regarding engine oil. My ride is a 2006 Mazda 2 with about 168k km on it.currently it is using fully syntetic 5w40 engine oil. The engine oil viscosity was not recommended in the user’s manual. I’m think of changing to Pennzoil ultra 5w30 which is the recommended oil from the user’s manual. Question is, there are so many types of oil recommended in the manual. Which is the best Oil for my climate and type of driving? I live in a humid environment and average ambient temperature is around high 20s to mid 30s degrees Celsius. My commute to work is less than 25km and I do plenty of short distance drives, stop and go kind if driving. My lifters are also producing a tickig noise when cold, I’m thinking that its wearing out fast. I do an oil change every 10000km. Seeking advice from you experts out there. Thanks.
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Lifters are the trash collectors of the engine. If you want then to stay quiet you need to change oil often. I’d recommend every 5000 kilometers. Once they get noisy the solution is replacement.
[quote=”yanbros” post=111096] My ride is a 2006 Mazda 2 with about 168k km on it.currently it is using fully syntetic 5w40 engine oil. The engine oil viscosity was not recommended in the user’s manual. I’m think of changing to Pennzoil ultra 5w30 which is the recommended oil from the user’s manual. Question is, there are so many types of oil recommended in the manual. Which is the best Oil for my climate and type of driving? I live in a humid environment and average ambient temperature is around high 20s to mid 30s degrees Celsius. My commute to work is less than 25km and I do plenty of short distance drives, stop and go kind if driving. My lifters are also producing a tickig noise when cold, I’m thinking that its wearing out fast. I do an oil change every 10000km. Seeking advice from you experts out there. Thanks.[/quote]
I don’t think it matters because:
-high mileage
-the lifters are already noisy
-it is 8 years old.
5W-40 is a good choice for your environment, and you’ve chosen a synthetic which was wise. What you didn’t do as stated by barneyb, was change oil often enough. I would try some 5W-30 at your next scheduled change, but if the same noise continues I would happily stick with the synthetic 5W-40. On the other hand, you might see a decrease in fuel consumption with the lighter oil, or you might hear more noise…
IDK, but I can tell you this -I’ve been running 15W-40 in my 3.0L Toyota for over 20 years without issue. This engine was subject to a head gasket recall, and at 90,000 miles it still looked new and had cross hatch in the upper cylinders. It is running strong today with twice the mileage.It is never recommended that you go outside what the manufacturer recommends for your engine oil viscosity. They do EXTENSIVE testing to determine the best type of oil viscosity in all conditions both hot and cold. Using thicker, or higher viscosity oil can actually wear the top end of the engine faster, i.e., the lifters. The damage may already be done at this point. To fix it, would likely require a rebuild or replacement, possibly just the cam and lifters, it really depends on the extent of the damage. That said, I don’t think your engine is going to blow up anytime soon, but the noise will likely persist and get worse as time goes on.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
May I ask? Will replacing he cams and lifters be a simple job? Like open the head and swap he parts. Close it back and done. Or will her be adjustments required? Would it also be better to change out he head gasket at the same time and will running in be required?
The Mazda2 used a couple of Mazda engines and maybe three Ford gas engines plus a diesel. So, what engine does your vehicle have?
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