5w-30
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
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From: Picayune, MS
From Terry Dyson of Dyson Oil Analysis
"If that F150 calls for a 5w20 or 0w20 then using 5w30 or 0w30 or 10w30 is not required, and potentially slow oil flow, add to needless heating.
Make sure the application can take the 5w20. In a Ford Modular V8 5w20 is the recommended oil and I have wonderfully low wear for my customers. Allow oil analysis prove it to you. "
I guess that settles it..........
"If that F150 calls for a 5w20 or 0w20 then using 5w30 or 0w30 or 10w30 is not required, and potentially slow oil flow, add to needless heating.
Make sure the application can take the 5w20. In a Ford Modular V8 5w20 is the recommended oil and I have wonderfully low wear for my customers. Allow oil analysis prove it to you. "
I guess that settles it..........
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 936
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
So, on a related note, since I've switched to Mobil 1 5w-20 in a warm climate, and it sees mostly highway driving, how often should I change my oil? I'm still using the Motorcraft 820S filter. I'm thinking 7500, since Ford says 5000 on the Motorcraft blend.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
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From: Picayune, MS
Originally Posted by Nates06SCab
So, on a related note, since I've switched to Mobil 1 5w-20 in a warm climate, and it sees mostly highway driving, how often should I change my oil? I'm still using the Motorcraft 820S filter. I'm thinking 7500, since Ford says 5000 on the Motorcraft blend.
I'm guessing you could go 7500 easily.
See how it looks on the stick after 3000 and 5000 and base your decision on that.
If you want it to go further, change the filter, top it off, and get an analysis.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 316
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From: Clarksville, TN
Why 5W20 Oil?
5W-20 oil is a thinner oil with lighter viscosity that creates less drag on the crankshaft, pistons and valvetrain. Additionally, the oil pump can pump thinner oil more easily, improving oil circulation. Any increase in fuel economy may not be noticed by the average motorist. Machined internal engine parts are more precise than the parts of 20 years ago. This means that clearances between moving parts are smaller and more exact. Thinner oil such as 5W-20 can flow more freely through the engine while still filling the spaces. Thicker oil is harder to push through the spaces between the parts. This causes the oil pump to work harder, which in turn increases oil pressure while simultaneously decreasing oil volume. A lack of oil volume results in a decrease of lubrication and cooling, which may decrease engine part life.
The lighter viscosity of 5W-20 oil flows faster at start-up compared to higher viscosity oils, which helps reduce engine wear in critical areas by lubricating parts faster. Valvetrain components at the top of the engine require immediate lubrication at start-up.
Oil additives are not recommended as noted in the owners manual. The American Petroleum Institute (API) certifies that oils such as Motorcraft 5W-20 already contain the necessary additives for friction, detergent, etc... The addition of additives may interfere and react with the additives already present in the certified oil.
To access your Owner's Manual on-line, click here.
SOURCE=FLEET FORD
5W-20 oil is a thinner oil with lighter viscosity that creates less drag on the crankshaft, pistons and valvetrain. Additionally, the oil pump can pump thinner oil more easily, improving oil circulation. Any increase in fuel economy may not be noticed by the average motorist. Machined internal engine parts are more precise than the parts of 20 years ago. This means that clearances between moving parts are smaller and more exact. Thinner oil such as 5W-20 can flow more freely through the engine while still filling the spaces. Thicker oil is harder to push through the spaces between the parts. This causes the oil pump to work harder, which in turn increases oil pressure while simultaneously decreasing oil volume. A lack of oil volume results in a decrease of lubrication and cooling, which may decrease engine part life.
The lighter viscosity of 5W-20 oil flows faster at start-up compared to higher viscosity oils, which helps reduce engine wear in critical areas by lubricating parts faster. Valvetrain components at the top of the engine require immediate lubrication at start-up.
Oil additives are not recommended as noted in the owners manual. The American Petroleum Institute (API) certifies that oils such as Motorcraft 5W-20 already contain the necessary additives for friction, detergent, etc... The addition of additives may interfere and react with the additives already present in the certified oil.
To access your Owner's Manual on-line, click here.
SOURCE=FLEET FORD
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 680
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From: Belleville, IL
I too will use 5-20 during the cold months but stay with 5-30 for summer.
If the oil is rated at say 5-20 doesn't that flow the same as 5-30 when cold, isn't that the purpose of multi oils?
If the oil is rated at say 5-20 doesn't that flow the same as 5-30 when cold, isn't that the purpose of multi oils?
Ive always run 5w30 on ALL of my modular fords.... 2v, 3v, 4v... In the world of 4v's you will find that almost nobody runs the factory recommended 20. 
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 2
From: Plano, TEXAS
Originally Posted by extremeethan
I know the fill tube says 5-20 but mobil 1 only makes 5-30 in the extened protection, will this cause any timing chain rattle or any down sides?
Last edited by -TXF150-; Sep 23, 2006 at 07:57 PM.