I know this topic has been beat like a dead cat, but I'm debating on changing to the mobil 1 5w-30 and a better oil filter. I can't help but think that changing the oil weight from 5w-20 to 5w-30 is a bad idea.

I have no doubt that the synthetic oil is better, and with almost 11,000 miles the engine is plenty broken in. Is there any damage that a heavier oil can do to the engine? Will the heavier oil reduce horsepower? Will it void the warranty? I tend to drive it like I stole it, so I figure any extra protection can't hurt the engine.

Thanks,

Mitch

 

i'm using 5W-20 amsoil and the truck is running beautifully. our weather ranges from -30 to 100 degrees here in minnesota. I use 5W-20 all year around with great results.

 

I switched to Mobil 1 5W30 at 3,000 miles. Motor is somewhat quieter at idle. My oil change intervals will be 5000 miles.

 

I run Mobil 1 5W-30 in my truck, have since around 5000 miles, the truck now has 79,000 miles on it and I wouldn't think twice about doing it again. The synthetic in my opinion is a better product than conventional oil. The truck runs great. By the way, 5W-30 is what's meant for my 98' truck, I believe ford switched to 5W-20 at a certain year model. Might want to double check before switching to the 5W-30. Either way definetly go synthetic.

 

I was reading www.alldata.com earlier and out of curiousity checked to see what info there was about motro oil. I wasn't surprised when the TSB stated that Ford is now using 5w20 from the factory but Ford is also recomending switching from 5w30 to 5w20 for all of our '97-2001 F-150's. It included the 4.2L,4.6L and 5.4L. Their stated reqasoning was: "This oil has an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. "

I wouldn't think a synthetic 5w30 could be a problem. I do suspect that anyone who has their oil changed at the dealer will find they are filling the engine with 5w20 now even on the 1997's.

 

I believe Ford switched to 5W-20 for 2001 model year from 5W-30 the previous year solely for the fractional increase in mpg because of running with the lighter oil. I believe there were absolutely NO mechanical changes to engine in terms of clearances or specs.

If anyone knows otherwise, please provide info. Thanks.

 

That's my question. I've been using mobil 1 synthetic and K&N oil filter since my first 3k miles. Now have 27k on my baby and changed every 3k miles. Would you guys reccomend with using synthetic, bump the change interval to 5k miles?

 

I still do every 3K in my 87 Bronco. Same mobile 1 and K$N filter. I guess you could go 5K per change, but it just seems wrong somehow. What about that amsoil kit where you go like 50K per change?! That seems nuts!

Mitch

 

I am using Ams oil 5w-30 in my 1999 f150 and it has 11,000 miles on it. The oil still looks like I just put it in. The recommended oil change is 25,000 or 1 year, change the filter every 12,000 miles. My truck runs smoother, a little more horse power and a few more miles per gallon. I am now going to use the transmission Ams oil.

 

Does amsoil offer a warranty? That system must void the factory warranty. It's an appealing thought to save $300 per 24K on oil changes, but I'm in the new truck for the warranty. I remember reading something on another forum about their prefilter system, and how great it is, I just figured it was snake oil like everything else that seems too good to be true.

Mitch

 

It does not void the factory warranty, I talked to my Ford dealer and he did not say anything bad about it at all. A buddy at work is a car dealer and he puts it in everything he buys & sells, he even has it in his airplane. Go to www.amsoil.com for more info.

 

hey guys... i got my 1st oil change at the dealership for free and to much my suprise they put in 5w-30!!!

i walked in bitchin about warranty and they showed my the official ford anouncment saying that it's recommended for 5w-20 but the 30 is sufficient enough and will not void warranty.

 

The dealership in Tucson put 5w-30 in my truck on it's second oil change. I didn't notice til later.

I stopped at the local Ford dealer here and spoke to the service manager. He said there was no way that synthetic or 5W-30 could be proved to cause an engine failure, and therefor couldn't void the warranty. He did say that due to the close tolerances of these motors that the 5w-30 would put a little more pressure on the bearings, but not enough to do any harm.

I looked at the Amsoil web site, and their stuff looks good. The thing that gets me is the $5+ per quart for 5w-20 full synthetic. I am not going to let it go for 7500 miles on one oil change, nor just change the filter every 12K, so I don't think the Amsoil is for me.

I'll probably get some synthetic ATF from either Amsoil or Redline for the tranny to smooth it out and help the synchros last longer. I may try the mobile 1 in 5w-30 at the next oil change and see if it makes any difference. The ford 5w-20 in the red bottle is a semi synthetic, so I might try that as well. Currently it's got dino oil in it, and that will change one way or another. I'm still going to change it at 3000 miles as always, as that hasn't failed me yet.

I've got to start saving up for an oil change in my Bronco, as 7 quarts of mobile 1, and a K$N filter can put a dent in the wallet

Thanks for all the advise.

Mitch

 

I have been using amsoil synthetics for the past 14+ years with no problems. I began using it at work, and then became a dealer.
I own a 2000 f150 4.2 , two motorcycles,all on synthetic with extenced drain interval with no problems

jeh.


jymh25@bellsouth.net
www.lubedealer.com/jeh