Ok, so i live in Florida. Out typical winter is not bad, but this year it's been even warmer than usual. I am headed to north Georgia next month for a little vacation. I use the recommended oil by Ford, 5W 30, and change it every 3,000 miles. Since the temperature is much colder there during the winter, say around low 20's at night, do i need to swap oil for a different weight/viscosity? Never had an issue, just curious if it was necessary or a good idea.
Thanks.

 

The 5-W-30 oil is fine - I believe Ford spec'd. 5W20 oil, but that was just to squeeze a little more MPG. If you were going to Alaska, I would say to go with something like Mobile 1 0-W-30.

 

Actually, i had to go double check myself, it is 5w20 i use....

Ok great! Just curious...

 

I live in Ohio & have been using the Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-20 for four years. No problems.

 

The 5w-20 is good. I have put 130k on 2 trucks. Neither has used any oil. I would use it over 5w-30.

 

Synthetic-blend Motorcraft 5w-20 is the only oil you will ever need for the life of your truck.

 

the perfect reply

 

I run Royal Purple but am going to swap to the 5w 20

 

At the risk of "thread-jacking", I too was curious about this for my '06 150 with a 4.6. I recently had the first oil change at 3500 miles and went with regular Penzoil. I now think I will definately bump up to synthetic at the next oil change. But, my question is, for those of you like me who may be frugal and not desire to pay the extra freight the oil change vendors tack on for synthetic, if you guys are still under warranty like me, how are documenting the oil changes in the event you have an engine warranty issue arise? I assumed just keep a log and the receipt but is that good enough?

 

That is what I do: Keep receipts for the oil and filters, and log each oil change by date and mileage + brand/type of oil and filter used (I always buy the Motorcraft 820S filter).

BTW, the Motorcraft 5-W-20 oil is a synthetic blend, and is only $2.33/qt. at Wal-Mart.

 

Check your warranty, I believe the way its written is oil changes by a suitable business. I am not absolutely sure, but having worked for Ford years ago I think it was written so that the invoice proving the oil change had to have some sort of identifying information as to the vehicle, since anyone can purchase oil and a filter and since many, many fords use the same filter. They don't know if you changed the oil in an F150 or an Expedition by reciept for purchase of goods.

As for the North GA winter, well, the lows are about 30 right now. (although it feels like 5) You'll be fine

 

I have a 99 F150 4x4 5.4 it calls for 5w30 i have been using it motorcraft oil and filter is it better to change to 5w20?

 

my '98 used to only take motorcraft 5w30 until the miles got a little higher now i get the dealer to put valvoline 5w30 maxlife.


going from fla to north ga should be okay. i'm in the middle of ga. but drive all over the place as far as ny in the winter and never had any problem with it. either way be safe on your trip.


06 so comfort do as your heart desires you may have to pay extra but your mind will feel a lot better putting exactly what yo want in it.

 

I work in the Romeo engine Dyno Lab. We test all our IP and PV engines except the Shelby 500 using 5W-20W oil (Shelby and GT 40 get 5w-50w full Synthetic). Believe me we beat the hell out of these test engines and have not experienced any failures using this oil. In fact we disassemble every engine we test and measure all components for wear. You would be pleasantly surprised at how good the bearings and all parts for that matter look after a brutal 300 hr FIE test. The most important thing to remember about oil is to change it and the filter at regular recommended intervals. By the way I use 5w-30w and 5w-20 in all my vehicles with no problems. Just a note because people often ask. No we do not/cannot sell the engines that we use for testing. They are dissasembled and then scrapped out after testing. The engines that are sent to the VO plants for use in new trucks and cars are only spun on a cold test machine to measure oil pressure, continuity, etc.

 

I have never heard of anyone doing this. If ford is that pickey about it, then that is crap. That makes me ashamed to drive a ford. Chevrolet doesn't do that I'm sure, cause I know some people with chevys that have had engine related problems.