2011 Mazda Axela 1.5 - What Grade Oil to use?

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Dairyxox

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#167436 13-Mar-2015 13:40

As per the subject.
I'm definitely not a car person, and after searching around (the net) for a while I have no concrete info.
When I go into a garage to purchase oil, they expect me to know.

I don't have the manual that came with the car.

Its a 2011 Mazda Axela 1.5 liter.

What grade oil would this take?

Many thanks.

CitizenErased

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#1257874 13-Mar-2015 13:49

5W-30 is the recommended viscosity. You could also use 10W-30.

In these modern engines with variable valve timing, etc. it's important not to use heavier weight oils.

Inphinity

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#1257878 13-Mar-2015 13:58

0W-20 and 5W-30 are the generally recommended weights for Mazda's MZR series engines. The latter is probably more suited to a typical NZ climate.

Jase2985

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#1257879 13-Mar-2015 14:03

does it burn a little oil? if so go for a 10w40 and see how that goes

CitizenErased

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#1257880 13-Mar-2015 14:06

I noticed that Honda dealers recently made the switch from 5W-30 to 0W-20. This is with no engine design changes. This is about one thing only - lowering the published fuel consumption figures. I'm not sure that a 20 weight oil is such a good idea for engine longevity.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1257897 13-Mar-2015 14:10

if you're topping up oil between servicing, there's probably something wrong, especially for a car this age :)

BTR

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#1257899 13-Mar-2015 14:14

Penrite have a oil recommendation guide on their website.

http://www.datateck.com.au/Lube/PenriteNzl/

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Delphinus

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#1257949 13-Mar-2015 15:24

BTR: Penrite have a oil recommendation guide on their website.

http://www.datateck.com.au/Lube/PenriteNzl/

I see they have recommended the synthetic over the semi-synthetic (for my 2007 2.0L Mazda Axela). Advantages of synthetic?

Dairyxox

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#1257953 13-Mar-2015 15:28

Thanks for all the information & recommendations.

Its a recent import, so I'm not sure if the original owner ever put oil in and want to check & top it up. Too early to tell if its burning oil.

Also the website guides like linked above, only seem to contain local models (2.0l) and not import names/specs.

heylinb4nz

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#1257956 13-Mar-2015 15:37

Delphinus:
BTR: Penrite have a oil recommendation guide on their website.

http://www.datateck.com.au/Lube/PenriteNzl/

I see they have recommended the synthetic over the semi-synthetic (for my 2007 2.0L Mazda Axela). Advantages of synthetic?

Most likely the HPR5 which they seem to reccomend alot (although it says can be used in 5W30 applications, id steer clear if yours needs a 5W30), instead use their Ten Tenths Racing (5W30 fully synthetic).

Unless your sporting a turbo\supercharged car or a very highly tuned NA, then most of the time a Semi-Synthetic in the correct Grade with annual or 10,000 kms oil changes is fine (whatever comes first) works well and youll save some $$$.

Synthetics will have features like less breakdown under heat, less sheer under load, extended change interval, but you'll only realize those benefits in cars capable of realizing them.

Inphinity

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#1258004 13-Mar-2015 16:31

Dairyxox: Thanks for all the information & recommendations.

Its a recent import, so I'm not sure if the original owner ever put oil in and want to check & top it up. Too early to tell if its burning oil.

Also the website guides like linked above, only seem to contain local models (2.0l) and not import names/specs.

The JDM Mazda Axela 1.5L is the same engine as the NZ/AU Mazda2 1.5L (1.5 MZR). Most other components are the same as the local Mazda3.

If you are unsure of it's service history, I would suggest replacing the oil & filter, not just topping it up if low.

Batman

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#1258058 13-Mar-2015 18:06

5W-30 for most jap 4 cylinders non turbos

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kiwirock

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#1258187 13-Mar-2015 23:58

I'd use a 5W-30 or 7.5W-30 for a healthy engine. Most VVT engines require those.

If it's a high K engine, say over 150,000K's, I'd use a 10W-30 to 10W-40 to make up for the lowered oil pressure due to bearing wear etc... and oil consumption from worn rings and valve seals etc...

Synthetic oils are okay. I use Shell Helix Ultra which is a fully synthetic but have used Castrol Magnatec (semi-synthetic) on older tired engines. They generally go longer between changes so they're not that much more expensive but I don't follow the rule on this one as engines are only getting older, dirtier and more worn with every change.

At a maximum, semi-synthetic or dinosaur every 6 months or 5,000K's (in a petrol). Fully synthetic every 12 months or somewhere around 7,000-10,000K's (I think some manufactures don't mind 10,000K's but depends on the engines wear and how it's driven).

If the oil is getting too dark it's time to change it sooner though. If it's starting to eat it (not leak it externally) you can consider changing the type and frequency of changes as the engines needs change.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1258192 14-Mar-2015 00:09

Agree with the above post, don't just top it up, change it (and the filter). Just how low is it?