2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Winters coming up.. Oil question.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-15-09, 11:42 PM
  #1  
Wheel Revolutionist!

Thread Starter
 
Eriks85Rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Winters coming up.. Oil question.

So winter is coming up and it gets pretty cold in WV. I have some amsoil 5w-40 that my brother gave me and my question is can I use this safely in my FC?

Basically is 5w40 too thin of oil for a S4 1.3 NA ?
Im thinking since its an older car I should probably do 10w30 (compared to 20w50 summer) but since it gets so cold and the oil tends to flow slower and thick and i figured 5w40 would not do this. Whats your opinion?
Old 10-16-09, 06:08 AM
  #2  
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary

iTrader: (1)
 
Turbonut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,965
Received 54 Likes on 44 Posts
From the FAQ:
Can I use synthetic oils in my Rotary engined car?
Yes and no. Mazda officially does not recommend the use of synthetic oils in rotary engines, however, long term and racing use has shown that the better synthetics (Redline, Amsoil, Neo, Royal Purple, Mobil1) are perfectly fine to use in a rotary engine, and will generally result in a 1 to 2% horsepower gain. However use of poor quality synthetics (like Valvoline, Castrol Syntec, Havoline, Etc) will result in build up due to high ash content left from these oils when they are burned. It is believed that is why Mazda did not recommend synthetics, because the couldn't pick favorites.

I've never been a fan of synthetics, although they do have their benefits under certain operating conditions, so I have used only Dino oil in all my vehicles with no problems, but if you have the oil available, it shouldn't be a problem. Mazda recommends a 5-30 when under freezing temps, so the 5-40 qrade will be fine.
Old 10-16-09, 06:18 AM
  #3  
7th Heaven

iTrader: (9)
 
slpin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: California
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I just run delo400

As far as your oil... What do you think the W stands for?
Old 10-16-09, 06:20 AM
  #4  
Cake or Death?

iTrader: (2)
 
clokker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mile High
Posts: 10,249
Received 63 Likes on 53 Posts
10w/30 will cover you from -20° to +90°F...also according to the FSM.
I run it pretty much year round unless there is a long road trip during the summer...then I switch to 20w/50.
Old 10-16-09, 12:38 PM
  #5  
Wheel Revolutionist!

Thread Starter
 
Eriks85Rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yeah I know 10w30 is good pretty much year round, I know synthetics are fine in a rotary . I was mainly asking if 5w40 would provide good protection. My understanding of the 5w40 is: it is a 5 weight oil that act likes a 40 weight? I just didnt want it to be too thin
Old 10-16-09, 12:42 PM
  #6  
Manual Rack

iTrader: (50)
 
FelixIsGod29X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Wanaque NJ
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
10w30 and call it a day.
Old 10-16-09, 01:38 PM
  #7  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (3)
 
funkjaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Jose, CA (NorCal/S.F. Bay Area)
Posts: 2,515
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
The W stand for winter.

It tells you the viscosity at low temperatures like a cold start up. The next number tells you the viscosity at high temperature like after the car is warmed up.

Anyways 5w-40 would be fine.
Old 10-17-09, 02:04 AM
  #8  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
tweaked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
It's a multi\-viscosity oil. the first number is cold viscosity, the latter is operating temp. So 5W30 will better (in theory) in winter because while it is cold, the viscosity is very thin so it can coat your parts faster. Then, when it warms up, it will thicken and add a better film for wear.
Just don't go blasting around before the motor warms up completely.
http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/m...ity/index.html

Just for the record, I use high quality full synthetics for every fluid, always.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
07-01-23 04:40 PM
Th0m4s
Build Threads
25
02-26-19 02:04 AM
andyvideopro
General Rotary Tech Support
3
08-20-15 10:55 AM



Quick Reply: Winters coming up.. Oil question.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:34 AM.