Prestone doesn’t meet 2001 Ford spec
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Mount Airy,MD
Originally Posted by ROBERTBROWN
I learned that the reason Ford uses/recomends 5w20 is because this oil is what gives them the gas mileage rating on the sticker. A thinner oil will give better gas mileage.
Since gas mileage takes a back seat to engine life in my opinion. I use havoline 5w30 in my 02 f-150 v-6 2wd. I live in Florida where road surface temperatures can exceed 185 degrees in the summer.
Since gas mileage takes a back seat to engine life in my opinion. I use havoline 5w30 in my 02 f-150 v-6 2wd. I live in Florida where road surface temperatures can exceed 185 degrees in the summer.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=246684
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 219
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From: Richarson, TX
how did this thread get onto motor oil? Anyhoo, I cant resist. That is a great link about oil referenced from Kingfish:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/FFH/Why5W...ews=Government
I don't argue the need for 5W-20 oil - as it takes a GREAT deal of trouble for Ford to call for a change but I am confused about the reasoning. Whatever the issue is -its gotta be bad for FORD to issue a big retraction like that.
As I understand it, the owners manuals (and oil caps) for the 5.4L family called for 5W-30 up until sometime in the 2001 MY when it changed to 5W-20. Sounds to me like those engines were designed for 5W-30 and 2-3 years later found some problem that they are trying to cover for. Possibly piston slap caused by poor lubrication on start up? What I can't figure is that the 5W-20 and 5W-30 are both 5W (winter) rated. You would think that both would flow about the same on a cold start up.
OOPs just noticed that RobertBrown has a V6. Diffenent engine family.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/FFH/Why5W...ews=Government
I don't argue the need for 5W-20 oil - as it takes a GREAT deal of trouble for Ford to call for a change but I am confused about the reasoning. Whatever the issue is -its gotta be bad for FORD to issue a big retraction like that.
As I understand it, the owners manuals (and oil caps) for the 5.4L family called for 5W-30 up until sometime in the 2001 MY when it changed to 5W-20. Sounds to me like those engines were designed for 5W-30 and 2-3 years later found some problem that they are trying to cover for. Possibly piston slap caused by poor lubrication on start up? What I can't figure is that the 5W-20 and 5W-30 are both 5W (winter) rated. You would think that both would flow about the same on a cold start up.
OOPs just noticed that RobertBrown has a V6. Diffenent engine family.
Last edited by InfernalCombustion; Aug 26, 2006 at 03:46 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,550
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From: Mount Airy,MD
One thing to remember the 5w30 of 2001 and the 5w20 of today are 2 different animals. At that time even the 5w20 was not a blend. Today's is. Also I am sure the additives have changed quite a bit too. I do know as I stated before, that people who are doing UOA's on there vehicles are finding that the 5w20 is doing very well.
Also as stated with other items, as they learn what works better, they will change change specifications, as they found with the rear end oil. Years ago it was 10w30, 10w40, or even 15w40. People had trouble going to 5w30. It was "too light".
Also as stated with other items, as they learn what works better, they will change change specifications, as they found with the rear end oil. Years ago it was 10w30, 10w40, or even 15w40. People had trouble going to 5w30. It was "too light".
Last edited by kingfish51; Aug 26, 2006 at 03:57 PM.
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From: Richarson, TX
Yesterday, I talked to another rep from Prestone. He said they do make a product that meets the 2001 Ford ESE M97B44-A spec. He said that the product is Prestone Heavy Duty but you may have go to a tractor supply store to find it. He said he thought that the Ford ESE spec called out for specific corrosion inhibiting chemicals (calcium silicate?) and because Prestone’s new formula doesn’t contain those specific chemicals, it doesn’t meet the spec.
He said that a few years ago the EPA started encouraging the manufacturers to work on corrosion inhibitors that last longer than 2 years. Claims the new stuff works better etc… So if the EPA is encouraging a new formula, I would expect Ford to have a TSB telling the dealers to use a long life antifreeze in all the older trucks when they come in for changes. Does anyone know if Ford is now calling for a long life antifreeze in the older trucks?
He said that a few years ago the EPA started encouraging the manufacturers to work on corrosion inhibitors that last longer than 2 years. Claims the new stuff works better etc… So if the EPA is encouraging a new formula, I would expect Ford to have a TSB telling the dealers to use a long life antifreeze in all the older trucks when they come in for changes. Does anyone know if Ford is now calling for a long life antifreeze in the older trucks?