I just bought oil for the lightning. I bought 10w30 regular. Is it ok to use regular (conventional) oil instead of syhthetic?


Let me know.

 

I won't get into the 'regular vs synthetic' thing since that horse has been kicked to death and nobody has changed their mind yet.

However I must comment on the 10w-30. I don't know about the supercharged versions but the regular Triton motors all call for 5w-20. There are very small orifices draining the oil from the top of the motor back down to the crankcase and the 10w- oils are too thick. This leads to starving the crank of oil and premature lower end failures.

I've run 10w-40 in every vehicle I've ever owned up until now. But motors have changed and oils have changed. What was applicable to older vehicles no longer applies. I'm using nothing but 5w-20 in this 5.4 motor.

 

I know alot of people use conventional motor oil, but I'm a synthetic user. I've used Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil, and most recently Redline brands and liked them all. I think you'll be OK, just change it often, with a quality oil filter.

 

You heading reads safe oil a safe oil would be motorcraft 5-20 blended NOT 10-30 just my .02 worth

 

I just went through this with my new L. Ford does recommend 5W20 and after much research, I learned that Mobil-1 has started making 5W20. If you don't want to use syhthetic, you might consider the Motorcraft Oil which is a syhthetic blend and not as expensive as the Mobil-1!

Do a search for my thread titled "Lightning Engine Oil" dated 01/16/05. Hope this helps!

 

5W-20 was to help Ford meet CAFÉ requirements. There is no tolerance changes in the motor from the motors that Ford had once “recommended” 5W-30.

My personal opinion is 5W-20 is to thin, and much too thin if you plan on towing anything. I use 5W-30 Mobil One and would never use a 20 weight.

Even my dealer, for those who actually get oil changes, puts in 5W-30 so it’s no concern for Ford.

It really is a matter of choice but it has absolutely nothing to do with clearances in the motor…

 

Well I put the 10w30 in and I dont hear any strange noises. I live in the caribbean where it gets up to 90 degress and more in the summer. It was in the high 80's this week so I hope a heavier grade oil helps. We will see. Will let you guys know if ther is any adverse effects.

 

I run 5W30 Mobil 1 in my '04 L. It reduced the engine idle noise significantly.

Camcojb ran 10W30 Mobil 1 in his stock L motor (prior to getting a built one). He had zero problems with it.

Just change it regularly and you'll be fine with any quality oil. If your concerned about the regular oil your using, drain it and refill with synthetic or Motorcraft synthetic blend. I think you'll be fine though.

Steve

 

I run 10w40 in the summer and 10w30 in the winter with no problems and I live in AZ. I have 62,000 miles on truck w/ zero troubles. I use royal purple.

 

I run 10w30 Castrol Syntec but will be using Royal Purple next oil change. When the oil gets hot it thins out, so I feel safer running a little bit thicker oil.

 

i used regular 5w30 till 10k miles, then went to mobil 1 5w30.

Ford started recommending the 5w20 in the 01's + i believe. I've never seen anything that stated the 00 and 99's should use 520 now.

There were posts back in the day but i don't think there was ever a real answer why. I continue to use 5w30.

 

Well we will know soon if 10 w 30 has any adverse effects. I drove the truck today and the engine sounded pretty quiet. Quieter that the 5w20 that came in it. My next task is the fuel filter. I bough it and did not buy the tool

learned the hard way, the second clip reuse to pull off the without it, figures. But I must say that the L is running pretty strong. I am to say the least. It feels good to be a L owner all over again.

 

FYI, the first number is the weight, the second is the temp at which it will start to get thicker. So going from a 5W-20 to a 5W-30 will only affect you if you start the truck up between 20 and 30 degree ambient temp.

 

I use to run the Mobil 1 0-20w. Good oil but it broke down within 2,000 miles of abuse ( lots of passes and street pulls ).
I switched over to the Mobil 1 5-20w yesterday.

 

My opinion is if you are in the south you should run a 10w product, if you are in the north a 5w product. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature. It is not recommended to run 5w anywhere in the south, go to any reputable shop and they will tell you, or pull up the charts on the internet. Although I do believe you are safe with any oil, as long as you change your oil every 3000 miles.