oil top up for 2003 1.8i

[baSkey]

colleague has one needs a top up.

which oil should he use?

i think it might be 5w 40 but i don't know for sure.

[Munter]

Rod Grainger's workshop manual says 5W-30. So a 5W-40 should be fine. I've been using Mobil 1 0W-40 in mine since I got it. If you walk into Halfords and pick up some Semi-Synthetic Castrol GTX or similar you'll be perfectly ok I'd think.

[baSkey]

thanks!

[Munter]

Damn I should read the thread title better. My manual is for the MK1. MK2/2.5 engines are basically the same with improvements so I figure same rules apply. If it's a MK3 I dont know. But a good quality Semi-Synthetic is what most new cars are using.

[MX-5 Lazza]

If it's just a top-up then it doesn't make a lot of odds what oil you use unless you know for sure what oil was used at the last oil-change.
Ideally you want to use the same oil (or at least oil of the same quality).
I'm not sure if there are any implications when mixing synthetic and non-synthetic oils.

[baSkey]

sure. it was last serviced by a main stealer though so I presumed there was a 'standard' grade.

i don't imagie it needs loads because he doesn't use it much.. but you may as well get near enough the right one...

[MX-5 Lazza]

baSkey said:

sure. it was last serviced by a main stealer though so I presumed there was a 'standard' grade.

i don't imagie it needs loads because he doesn't use it much.. but you may as well get near enough the right one...

Different dealers use different oils. I know Newbury Mazda (Motorworld) uses Mobil1 full synth and you wouldn't want to top that up with cheapo stuff.

You need some input from Skinny...

[skinny]

MX-5 Lazza said:

If it's just a top-up then it doesn't make a lot of odds what oil you use unless you know for sure what oil was used at the last oil-change.
Ideally you want to use the same oil (or at least oil of the same quality).
I'm not sure if there are any implications when mixing synthetic and non-synthetic oils.

no implications, you can mix anything (apart from vegetable based oil, like castor!). not really that important for top, given that generally it's in for less than the whole service period and the quantity is small