Miata Mailing List: May 1993, Message #11
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   From: (none)
Subject: Oil
   Date: (none)

There's been a lot of discussion on oil weights lately.  I happen to be
down getting an oild filter this weekend at the local Mazda dealer.  While
I was there, I asked to look at the official Mazda workshop manual.  It was
for the 1990 model (nothing's changed in later years concerning oil).  It
had the usual chart for oil weight and temperature.  It said that for above
80 degrees F, you should use 10w40 or 50 (50 especially above 100 degree
F).  The mechanics were unaware of this until I pointed it out to them. 
They said they always put in 5w30 no matter what time of year.  It sounds
like they're being cheap and lazy.
Have the official Mazda factory recommendations changed?  30 weight oil
seems mighty thin out here in the desert in summer (100+ degrees).

Sandy
Sanford Meek
meek@me.mech.utah.edu