Trying to see what would be the best oil to use I'm currently using 5W30 in the car, plus it's at a decently high mileage of 160k, was considering going to 10w30 just looking for recommendations thanks!

 

Given turbo engines generally require more frequent oil changes and my annual kms are relatively consistent, I change my oil every 6 months. One by Mazda service and the other by me. Factory manual indicates using 5w-30 which is ok for Winter but in my opinion after reading lots of online material, less viscous for our Aus hot summer weather, so when I'm doing the oil change I use 10W-40.

 

There is no empirical data to support this.
I also recommend not changing your motor oil by months, it's not a boat.
The oil in the manuals is "RECOMANDED" not required and there are operating environments that the need to use the proper viscosity is better than standard "RECOMENDATION".

My information is based on reading and have sent to have done hundreds of Oil analysis over the years from Blackstone Oil labs.

Blackstone Laboratories Blackstone Laboratories (blackstone-labs.com)

 

fewzhun

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thank you for your comments. You are right that the operational environment should be the deciding factor. My style of driving is relatively conservative, consistent and mostly within the city limits. All things considered the car travels roughly 5000Km every 6 months so that was my reasoning.

 

Thank you. I finally worked up the courage to join after sitting in the sidelines as a reader-only!

 

I actually change my oil at 3k miles and on every anayliss save the first one the advice shown by the analysis is I could have easily gone an addition 2+k miles. But I am one that believes oil and filter are inexpensive and engine is very expensive. I do like the simple peace of mind, and I enjoy doing the work on my own vehicles.
On a side note, for years a couple of friends for almost 10 years use to pick up my motor oil to use in their high mileage vehicles for their oil and filter changes. LOL

Gas engine only information>
As for a Turbocharged engine. The misconception of oil changes came about a couple decades ago when owners of Turbocharged engines would run them hard or basically be into boosted operation and then shut the engine off frequently. What happened is as heat soak raised the temperatures of oil line and other areas that oil would consolidate close to the Turbo charger the oil would burn or coke and eventually cause a turbocharger to fail as well other problems with the engine cause from the restriction of oil and that the oil was burned. So, the widespread armchair theorist now thinks that all turbocharged engine need more frequent and sooner oil changes then a N/A engine.
So for the other that want to post that some auto manufacture indicates sooner oil and filter service than a N/A is only that the marketing departments capitalize on ignorance of many for extra profit value!

Its really simple for a few that are twitterpating in your chair reading this and want to strike out with internet found wisdom with my response, if the Turbocharged Mazda engine had any heating issues or concerns there would be larger oil coolers and also a separate oil pump that would run on for a few minutes after the engine was turned off to keep oil circulating through the Turbocharger oil feed lines and hoses. There may also even be an oil temperature gauge to monitor and the ECU would have a dedicated DTC or yellow heat warning light on the dash.

 

I've also read about not immediately turning off the engine for that same reason you've described. I always let my car idle for at least 30sec to 1min after each drive to give it time to cool down gradually, Having had other turbo charged cars before (Nissan S14/15), I had them equipped with timers which was a relatively simple measure as I used to dive them pretty hard (on a track) and didn't want to risk damaging the turbo or any other components. Although, I don't drive anywhere like I used to perhaps getting one installed for the cx-7 is still a good idea.

 

Yes, the Turbo Timers were great addition for most platforms with a Turbo charged engine. The funny thing is the problem started with Asian Turbocharged engines and no other platforms like BMW. Also, Buick NEVER had problems when they introduced the Buick Regal Turbo charged engine. I owned one of them and even did modes that mechanically raise the boost gate level gaining a lot more power. But those Turbocharger were so slow at spooling up you had to gear 'um with 411's or even 457s so they would launch hard off the line. But once they spooled up it was a whole new ride.
Currently Turbo Timers and letting the engine idle before shutting done is only a good idea if you were running the engine hard and into t50% boost levels before shutting down. I have not seen any oil burning issues yet with any new Mazda Turbocharged engine .... yet!

 

5w30 full synth