What are you guys in hot climates using for oil in your L's? Ive called several dealers in Houston and each one gives me a different answer. Some say you have to use the 5W20, some say 5W30 and one said they been using 10W30. A couple dealers acted like they never heard of 5W20. I even called SVT and they said all they can tell me is what Ford says goes...5W20. It sure seems 5W20 is sort of thin to be running it in this heat. I want to run synthetic after its broken in but till then which is best? Thanks for any info.

 

http://www.amsoil.com/products/xlm.html

If you have a 2001 check the link.

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DON'S ZR1 KILLER
SILVER 2001 LIGHTNING
Sportmasters tonneau
Bedrug
Alpine head unit and six disk changer.
JL Audio speakers
Magnaflow muffler
JDM BigMouth Filter.
13.248 @ 104.61
http://donf150.tripod.com/Welcome/id6.html

http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294607313

 

I'm currently running Castrol GTX 5w-30 in my L until the engine is broken in. I feel that 5w-20 is pretty thin, too, but I've been told that the bearing tolerances are VERY tight. So the thinner oil would make sense. I'm going to swap over to AmsOil 5w-20 after break-in.

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'01 silver Lightning
Superchips flip chip, JDM filter kit
'67 Chevy II Nova
10.62 @ 125 MPH N/A

 

Your truck has its own cooling system. It does not know how hot it is where you live at. It is not air-cooled like a Porsche, VW or Corvair. The cooling system also includes an oil cooler. The engine will pretty much run at set perameters for temperatures. I live real close to Death Valley. I'm running 5/20 and the truck seems very happy.

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Rick
'01 Red Lightning Ordered 11/30/00
Built On 2/20/01
Arrived at Dealer 3/19/01
Picked Up 4/5/01
Mods:
Downey SST
BedRug

 

i have a 01L with 2500 miles. i did my first
oil change with MOBIL1 0-40. it is imported
from Europe for use on MERCEDES cars/suvs
with flexible service system(8-12k miles
between changes). i dont believe it is
available yet at part stores and it is one of the best synthetics. i work at a MB DEALER
and i get it for free. dont forget that the
lower number indicates flow at low temps and the higher number the ability to hold its viscocity at higher teps. even with synthetic i still wont go more than 3000 miles between oil changes. with the JL chip
and drop in K@N filter the L will now light up the tires easily so better protection is
needed. i also switched the transmission oil
to MB lifetime synthetic fluid and it is
excellent. $14/qt

 

Speaking of trans fluid, I gotta tell ya that Amzoil ATF goes in all of my vehicles.Even got it in my cobra 5-speed.The stuff is like gold!Put it in my 95 Lightning , and haven't had even one problem after 67000 miles.Tranny runs cooler and 0-slippage...I mean nothing!Next is the differential.Already running 0w-30 synthetic in the 2001.Tranny fluid goes for about $7.50/ qt.Anyone that knows me knows I'm one picky S.O.B.and I've tried the best of them.Just can't say enough about the product line.IMHO---its the best out there.

 

Hey Astrapi,

What Dealer do you work out of? I have 2 MB's one is nearing its first service. Kinda wondering about the availability of the 0-40 since I tried everywhere last year to find it.
Just got the service letter that states MB wants FULL syn oil only. When I first picked up the cars, syn oil was extra cost on the flexible service- does this mean it's now part of the deal?

regards,
Frank

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Franko

'00 Silver 'L
SST tonneau Cover
Ford aero hood shield
35% tint side glass
clear fog covers
100w Hella 9007's
55w halogen backup lights
Lund back draft spoiler(silver)
Ford tail gate protector
Rubbermaid bed mat
Hidden tailight mud flaps
Alarm w/surprise!
2 MacIntosh 2x100 amps w/Boston Accoustics 6.25 componets Front and 6.25 co-ax rear.
Ford cabin air filter
Ford cam kit w/lower weld
Dual Bullet SS mufflers
Folia Tec red calipers


Ford wheel locks (on order)Gorrilla's were a bust for MY'00


'00 MB E55 Bone stock 5.4 0-60 -13.3 1/4

'00 MB CLK430 cabriolet

Go slow if you must but life without thrust is a bust

 

Guys...thanks for all the good info. It sounds like most are going synthetic. In more places than just the engine. Seems like good advice to me. May your L's treat you as well as you treat them! Happy driving

 

Franco,
both your MBs are 00 and have the free maintainance schedule. you should not have to pay anything for the services that follow the flexible service system. we got the 0-40
M1 oil a week ago and prior to that we were
using 10-30 M1 since the MB notification.
i work at CHAMBERS MOTORCARS in somerville
and if you are not a client at our dealership
already and want to have your MBs serviced
with us feel free to ask for me. i am known
as Jimmy the Greek. if CHAMBERS was not one of the best dealerships i wouldnt be working
there. ASTRAPI in Greek means LIGHTNING.
I will look forward to talking to you in
person if you come in. I never thought i would be as happy to own a L as i am.