5w20 vs 5w30 ?
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,636
Likes: 264
From: Vernon, NY
Fuel efficiency.
It really doesn't matter. I would just use what you've been using.
On hind sight, I use whatever is the cheapest in my '07 Jeep Compass that has over 300k miles on it. Owned it since 7 miles on it brand new. So I know I've used the 0W20, 0W30, 5W20, and 5W30 throughout it's lifetime. It's recommended oil is 5W20. Then again, the 2.4l World Engine is one heck of an engine in terms of durability. The rest of that vehicle? Eh, not so. It's my cash car... get's me back and forth from work to home reliably.
It really doesn't matter. I would just use what you've been using.
On hind sight, I use whatever is the cheapest in my '07 Jeep Compass that has over 300k miles on it. Owned it since 7 miles on it brand new. So I know I've used the 0W20, 0W30, 5W20, and 5W30 throughout it's lifetime. It's recommended oil is 5W20. Then again, the 2.4l World Engine is one heck of an engine in terms of durability. The rest of that vehicle? Eh, not so. It's my cash car... get's me back and forth from work to home reliably.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Dunkerque, FRANCE
5W20 is for eco boost engines, as written on the Castrol oil bottle ; I've tried it but my maintenance garage advice me to change for the 5W30 ... but my F150 is a 4,6 l 1997 model with a rebuild engine....
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
Likes: 819
From: Joplin MO
Ford recommends 5W30 for the Ecoboost because of fuel dilution with the direct injection, doesn't matter what the Castrol bottle says. Your 97 originally recommended 5W30, but Ford changed the recommendation to 5W20. You can use either 5W20 or 5W30 in it with no issues.
