ebonyandivory wrote: ...I really don't think the manufacturers are trying to screw or mislead owners by recommending a specific oil weight or change interval.
^This. Mfrs might recommend overly frequent oil changes, or stretch MPG claims, but they will specify the oil viscosity that minimizes warrantee claims - with the side benefit being that the engine reaches maximum life.
I started doing the long oil changes back in '94. 8/10k miles.
I figure the factory engineers know what will work.
This thread is very indicative of "the patient knowing more than the doctor" scenario. While sometimes this can be true, most of the time the patient is wrong.
"I ain't gonna get no cancer from no cigarettes"
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: An oil thread. I love these. OP, You should definitely put the wrong oil in your engine because of a feeling you have.
Go to the Drive Honda Accord forum and ask an oil question. Flame City.
I attended a class for new Honda owners; food, prizes, shop tour, maintenance information plus more.
They had a mechanic talk about oil changes and the maintenance minder and he made a comment about early oil changes is "like pouring oil down the drain".
So I asked him if it was okay to pour oil down the drain......
20W50 or go home. 
I've been running 0w20 synthetic in the 3 since it was new, as recommended from Mazda. I change the oil every 7500 or so. I thought it was weird too! I could honestly stretch it to 10k. It's never burned a drop, and it's got over 93k on it.
Strangely, the model year before with the same 2.5L engine calls for dino oil 5w20, and so does my wife's 2010 with the 2.0L. as far as I know, the engine internals are identical from 2010-2013.
Bobistheoilguy has a great article on this.
In short, run the thinnest oil recommended by the manufacturer. It changes if dealing with extreme load/hi temp.
Original spec for my 04 330i was 5w40. Somewhere along the road BMW changed the recommendation to 0w40 OR 5w40. Mazda takes 0w20. Better to have oil than not have oil. I'll just go with the factory recommendation....except for the oil change intervals. Because I FEEL better doing 5-8k changes. 
And your wallet is lighter too. That should make you feel better.
Been running 5w20 in the Focus like I should and have had no engine problems at all. Nearly at 100k. I expect the next 100k to be the same. The oil never looks too bad and I run it too long without changing. In fact, I think it's time now.
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