I'm about to get my oil changed and I was wondering if it is HIGHLY recomended that I stick to the specifyed 5w30 oil or can I use 20w50? In Texas, we have cold winters and HOT summers, so I was thinking this heavier duty oil would be better. What do you'll think. Thanks in advance. I love this messege board!!!

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2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner, coyboy antenna ball
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (33.1x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
Crimeguard alarm, Power locks

future:
1" coil spring spacer
new rims

dreaming:
true dual exhaust with flowmasters
RCD 5" lift, 315/75r16 Yokahama Geolander MT(34.9x12.6)
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Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain

 

hey man . . you don't need the heavy stuff . .it may even be worse for your engine . .

 

Mobil Full synthetic 10w-30

the best !

 

Dont forget that the "thinner" oil dissipates heat faster and better. I personally wouldnt go with the 20W50 due to the very close tolerances that these new motors are held to. In your climate, I would stay with a good quality 10W30. Thats what is called for in the Ford Bible, and if you did have a engine problem, they'd do an oil analysis and chew your *** as to the thick oil, and probably reject the claim.. Play it safe, 10W30.................
Up here in the dammmmmm cold climate, I run 5W30 year around..........
Rick..

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"99" F-150 4x2,SC, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.
"Gutless thing!!"

 

in my manuel it says to run 5w 20. i thought that sounded kind of weird. the only place that sells it is ford and a friend of mine said wal-mart sells it. when i got my first oil change i put 5w 30 in it because no one carries 5w 20. i have a 2001 so i don't know if they changed the oil weight for our trucks through the years.

 

manual says 5w-30. go with that. besides new engine thin oil. it dissapates heat quicker and it doesnt break down as fast. heavier oils are better for old engines cause it doesnt blow by as easy or leak as fast. i think youll get better gas milage with thinner oil. good luck with whatever you choose!

 

acadianbob, Heavier oil is a better protectent for the engine, why would it be worse for it?

Talleywacker, Synthetic is good, but I guess it's a preference thing, I don't think a synthetic can beat a good quality pure oil as far as protecting the engine. Although, in the long run it might be better.

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2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner, coyboy antenna ball
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (33.1x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
Crimeguard alarm, Power locks

future:
1" coil spring spacer
new rims

dreaming:
true dual exhaust with flowmasters
RCD 5" lift, 315/75r16 Yokahama Geolander MT(34.9x12.6)
---------------------
Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain

 

I run only 5-30 in mine, year round. Tried 10-30 and seem to knock more on cold startups. I also found a good engine treatment helped alot for mee in my climate up north, sure helps on cold mornings.

 

I have a 97 with the 4.6 V8, and I bought it used, but it was pretty well taken care of when I got it. I don't know what kind of oil the previous owners used, but it was leased, so I'm guessing that they had Ford do all of the servicing and they used the 5W-20. The Motocraft oil that is factory standard is made by Ashland Oil Company, and I did some checking, and they make a lot of the oil that we would buy anywhere (like Wal-Mart or Advance Auto), but since it is hard to find Motocraft here without going back to Ford (I like to change my own oil, saves everybody time and money), I have always used Valvoline Full-Synthetic 10W-30. I have goten 102,000 miles out of this (and hopefully many more) with no problems at all. Engine doesn't knock, and it always runs smooth, and I live in the mountains in the southwestern tip of Virginia, and the way the weather changes around here, it's hard on a truck, so it must be pretty good oil. Ok, now it's starting to sound like I have some kind of blood-pact with Valvoline, but I don't, I just think it's a great oil, and it's never let me down. This is the fourth truck that I have run for more than 100,000 with it, and I just can't say enough how good of an oil it's been. Check out everything and talk to everybody that you can about it before deciding, though. Oil is important, so ask your mechanic what kind he uses.
Scared at the risk of sounding like a commercial, I'm leaving now. Just my 2 cents worth

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2001 trucks used 5w20 they changed from 2000 which was 5w30