Thanks to everyone for their encouragements/comments on getting a 2001. I picked it up today and...what can I say? Definitely...BEAUTIFUL...but? Does anyone know why it would take 5W20 Oil? I consistently used Castrol 5W30 in my '97? What's up with that? Does it matter? Is that a Ford brand or what?

 

Laurie,

Told ya!! What color? Make a signature for it.

I am as perplexed as you with Ford's recommendation now to use 5w-20 in the 2001 mdels. I don't know whether it's an attempt to reach the overall EPA fuel mileage requirements for the model year or not.

Anyhow, Ford is very strict about this in the event there is a warranty problem with you engine so I guess you will have to comply.

Let your dealer do your oil changes if you are not comfortable doing this and it's convenient ..... about $21/$22 with conventional oil.

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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, HD electrical and cooling, power seat, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

Thanks Dunbarton! Yep! She'll definitely be a keeper. The color is two-tone, a deep wedgewood blue with silver. The oil thing is surely odd and well...I must be pickin', but the stereo system seems to run hot too. (Made for a hot CD on the way home.) Picky, picky woman, huh? LOL I guess I'll check with Ford service on the oil thing tomorrow, maybe the stereo too. Ya know, my '97 was never in for anything!

Told ya!! What color? Make a signature for it.

I am as perplexed as you with Ford's recommendation now to use 5w-20 in the 2001 mdels. I don't know whether it's an attempt to reach the overall EPA fuel mileage requirements for the model year or not.

Anyhow, Ford is very strict about this in the event there is a warranty problem with you engine so I guess you will have to comply.

Let your dealer do your oil changes if you are not comfortable doing this and it's convenient ..... about $21/$22 with conventional oil.

[/B][/QUOTE]

 

Laurie,

I read that the 5w20 oil is for lower emissions and slightly better MPG. Look at the sticker on the drivers window: "Low Emissions Vehicle"

Stick with what is shown in your manual and on the oil filler cap - 5w20 - and be prepared to pay about $6 more because at most oil change places they don't have the oil in bulk yet, only bottles.

Enjoy your new ride.

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Mine:2001 1/2 F150 Super Crew, Lariat, Oxford white w/silver lower accent and Med. Gray Leather Captain Chairs,4x4 ORP, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17" Chrome wheels w/GY AT/S LT265/70/17, auto, 6 CD,Towing package, alarm, Westin Chrome nerf bars, Seat Savers and Husky mats for hunting, bed liner, white tail light lens covers.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...1294&a=3025874
Wife: 1999 Explorer Limited,pearl white/tan leather,4.0L,4:10LS,CD,sunroof,towing pkg.,alarm. Bought new Sept. 1999

Previous: '65 Mustang 289 HiPo, '70 Chevelle SS 396, '70 Vette Conv. 350/350, 72 Datsun PU,'74 Vette TTop, '79 Blazer, '81 F150, '83 Bonneville, '84 Gran Marquis '89 TBird Super Coupe 3.8L SuperCharged, '93 Explorer 4.0L, '97 F150 SC XLT, 4x4 ORP

 

Read all your manuals carefully, especially the warranty and service guides.

You'll find that there are probabaly a couple of 12 month/12,000 mile items that you should be aware of. Not sure about 2001, but at least thru 1999 model years, Ford covers your paint for the first year/12k miles. Ford also will align your front end for free. If you get your front end aligned a couple of years later, it will cost you an arm and a leg 'cause they need to install parts to do it. If you get it done under warranty, you don't have to pay for the parts.

 

I might be able to help with the oil question Laurie. Many engine manufacturers have gone to much tighter tolerances in their engines. Basically, that means that engine parts fit together much "tighter" than they used to. In cold weather, an oil with a higher viscosity (the "5W" part) may not flow to parts of the engine quickly enough due to these tighter clearances, thereby causing wear. This is exactly the reason why Chevrolet REQUIRES synthetic 5W-30 in all LT-1 new design engines...because the stuff is so slick.

And Dunbarton is 100% correct about using the oil that Ford specifies. If you have an engine failure, they WILL sample and analyze your engine oil. If they find that it is not what is specified in the owner's manual, they will void the warranty on engine repair!!! Yes, it sucks. Yes, this is America. Yes, etc. And YES...you will have to fork over several grand for a new engine if you don't do it their way. But really, you'll never notice the difference anyway.

Hey...good luck with the new truck!

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1999 F150 SC, 4X4 ORP, True duals, Bedliner.

 

Yeah, I remember the first time I got it too, I did not think it was neccessary to brag about on a web site though!.........


Oh wait! Man am I embrrassed!
You meant your truck!

Congratulations on that too!!

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Roger In DFW.
Home of the 1999 Stanley Cup Champion ****Dallas Stars****
99 F-150 Sport XL "Bright" Red 4.2L 5 Spd
L Wheels-Michi Pilots. Flowmaster 50. Sport Masters Tonneau IAS Shocks Hellwig G-Sport Rear Anti-Sway Bar

00 X Sport "Laser" Red 5.4L
Waag Brush Guard. Roush Racing "Dual Oval" Chrome Tip!

 

Just so happened to have lunch with a lube guy from a major oil company this week and we discussed this-Ford is now going to 5-20 to accomodate the tolerances (as mentioned above) as well as fuel mileage. He also mentioned that very soon it will be 0W-20 or 30. Also felt that by 2005 we would be looking at a majority of synthetic oils (Corvette, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Viper already come factory filled with the stuff). I put on a tonneau cover and Mobil 1 5-30 and picked up about 1.5 MPG on my 98 150 Supercab 4X4 Offroad-stuff works and keeps the valves healthy longer.