What ho one and all,
2015 Maz 3 BM 2.00 Skyactive. Had the car for just over one year; bought with 45k on the clock; I have done one oil change and about to do the next at 55k.
The oil I used is Castrol Magnatec 0W-20 but I cannot find it again at a reasonable price. The site I usually visit when I enter the reg, suggests round 30 different brands/types, and that gets my knickers twisted.
The manual suggests as an alternative 5W-30 but also says API -SC/SM/SN and ACEA - A3/A5. the current Magnatec has the required Ford spec number but the API and ACEA are different.
So what is the importance of the correct ACEA and API? If I use a good quality 0W-20 or 5W-30 that has different ACEA and API, what is likely to happen?

Thanks and toodle pip.

PS. I live in the UK so not exactly adverse driving conditions at any time of the year.

 

Welcome to the forum

At times you use the oil that you can get. As long as you change the oil and filter at 5000 miles you could use straight Dinosaur (none synthetic or non synthetic blend) oil and it would not harm the engine.( I doubt any member on any Mazda forum could claim empirically otherwise.) You may get a slight decrease in MPG but even that is debatable. All you are going to read is its not advisable. Technically speaking the only main reason for the 0w-20 is so Mazda can claim the MPG. The use of other viscosities tends to lower the MPG averages slightly.


Think of it another way, what do you think some countries that have no access to the oil needed or limited choices do park their Mazda until they can find it or use what they have avalible? .

Forums and the internet is funny place for information AI seems to lead and then DIY with limited direct application experience and then the youtube wonder that want the viewing count more then give more practical real world information.

 

So it is a kinda alphabet soup that does not mean a lot for the average driver. Will change with the regular 0W-20 that more or less, has similar ACEA and API designation.

What does interest me, if one takes the car to a good, local, reputable garage for a service and oil change, there is no way of knowing if they use the 'correct' oil. My guess would be no, as they would have to have too many different versions for the numerous cars. But what do I know?

 

You ask them what brand and viscosity. If it is a busy service shop they like have bulk oil from a distributor and the oil type is likely a semi synthetic with a viscosity best for the ambient temperature of gas engines in your area.
The bulk oil we use that is in 55 gallon drums is currently 5w30 Pennzoil. However we are 5 minutes from 2 wholesalers to use and a hour wait time from most all dealership to deliver or we go pickup for request or other reasons. The 5w30 fits the basic full range or operation environment with exception to extrema temperature.

So it should never really be a crap shoot you ask or bring your own oil. .