I have to change my oil in about 90 miles. My 4.2 has 83,000 miles on it. Should I stick with the 5W-30 motorcraft like ford recommends? Also is there really all that much difference in Oil filters? I have always used FRAM but last week when I had to change the oil on my mom's cirrus they were out of FRAM and I went with STP. Is it pretty much just a name game (well besides fram's rubber grip thing). Also this being my first oil change with my new used truck. How many quarts does the 4.2 take. Im quessing 4.5 since all my other vehicles with V6's have been that it seems natural.

 

Emissions:

First, DITCH THE FRAM, and stay far, far away from FRAM. I use to use them myself until reading alot of great information here on F150online. I found out here that Fram was just crap, I then did some of my own research on the web and came to the same conclusion, Fram just plain suck. I myself will only use MotorCraft filters. I have heard here that they are one of the best. While I was researching the Fram I also found that what I read here about Motorcraft filters to be true "one of the tops".

Second, I have a 01 4.2, it requires 6qts of oil. If you use the search function and search about topics for oil filters you will come across alot of good information. Tallywacker (a member on F150online) is another good source for information on our 4.2 motors.

As far as oil, I think you will get lots of different opinions all of which in my opinion will be very good. Oil from what I found has been "to each their own" Some will say use nothing but 5W-20 some will say nothing but 5W-30, some full syc. some only dino. I myself use Valvoline Durabend 5W-30 because I like it and its a good quality oil. I am not saying it is better then what someone else may use, just my preference.

Navi Man and DrDevon (members of F150online) have alot of good information on oils as well. The one thing I have learned and known is like Navi Man has said many of times "If you use a good quality oil and change when recommended 3,000 - 5,000 miles you will be fine".

 

Definately stick with the MotorCraft filters (fuel and oil).

As far as oil. . .Ford's own oil is made by Castrol. Only Castrol GTX 5w-20 oil has our specific Ford specification listed on their bottles. Will other oils work fine? Yup. Everybody has a preference and other oils will probably work just as well, especially semi-synthetic blended and full synthetic oils.

I have no problem with Valvoline's oil, or Mobil-1 (synthetic), though. I guess the bottom line is that you want to stick with a premium name lubricant and don't go over 30wt.


---WrongdayJ

 

Well thanks guys im off to AUTO-NO-ZONE to pick up 6 qts. of Motorcraft 5W-30 and a motorcraft filter.

 

My '01 requires 6 1/2 qts for the oil to hit full on the dipstick. Don't know if that goes for your year, but I'd sugest you check level after oil change.

 

I use Exxon superflow 10W - 30 and a motorcraft filter every 2500 miles. 6 1/2 qts. to fill up to the line on this 4.2 1998 five speed which used to be mine but is now my son's. I have a 2002 5.4 Lariat

 

royal purple 5w-30 racing series w/ motocraft filter here.

 

Just talked to Conoco yesterday...all Motorcraft oils are produced by them, from thier "Hydroclear" (hydrocracked) group III base stocks. In addition, the 5W-20 semi syn has 15-30% PAO synthetic group IV base stock. The Conoco tech would not talk any further relative to the 15-30% (when asked exactly how much), stating the exact formulation is proprietary to Ford.

 

Ford gets their oil from any "best price" manufacturer out there at that time.

 

Hmm. You may very well be right.

I just know what Matt @ SVT, several of the local Factory Technicians I know, as well as Factory_Tech (another Ford technician and F150 Online Member) told me.

Perhaps it's a regional thing. Some regions get Conoco, some get Castrol. I don't know. I do know that Castrol is the only oil & transmission fluid that references our specific fluid specifications on it's bottles. Maybe it's just coincidence.

It's good to know at least some things about the formulation, though. Good post.


Later,

J

 

who/what is conoco? I was told Valvoline makes Motorcraft Oil?? It made sense seeing that Valvoline was the first oil company i saw with 5w20 on the market. I do believe that Ford basically gets it's oil/ filters from the "lowest bidder" that meets Fords specs, but I would think they sign some kind of multi year contract. I really don't think it changes monthly or by the region. Who knows?

 

Valvoline Durablend 5w-30 semi-syn. for me.

 

a buddy in town went to a oil show in the pas(you won't know it)
at a ford shop and after all was said and don the swore by esso 5w30.?? it was somthing to do with the additives taking to longest to ware out and there for doing to most good for the engine. they still wore out at 1700 miles or somthing like that but it was twice the length of others.
I never saw it but he has exclusivly used esso oil for years (and drives the bag off everything he owns) and never had a problem(just changes his oil early and often)

this was all on rangers if it matters.his last one had 238,000 km on it when he traded it off and his new one already has over 100,000 on it in 1 year.
after seing that I have switched also and always change my oil before its due.

maybe price isen't everythin eh?

 

Well I noticed today at wal-mart that Texaco Havoilne oil has the same bottle with the same "painted on" lable as Motorcraft. The only other One like this was Chevron and they are Texaco/Chevron so I am convinced that they make the Motorcraft oil. The only thing I don't understand is that Motorcraft oil has the foil on top under the lid. No other brand had this, not even the Havoline.

 

Catrol GTX/ motorcrsft filter every 2500-3000, never failed me. RP would be nice but gee look at that price, lol