Oil changer installed 10-30w oil instead of 5-30w. Will this cause any problems with my engine?
Thanks, Mark

 

These engines were designed to use 5 wt. oil. The tolerances are so tight that thicker oil doesn't lubricate very well - especially on cold start up. Will it actually hurt the engine? It's really hard to say. A lot will depend on how many miles you have on the engine, how cold it is where you live, and what kind of driving you do. If it were me, I would make the oil changer fix his mistake, but then, I'm kind of **** about those things.

 

You'll be fine as long as you don't live in alaska where it's -20 all the time. Just use 5w30 next time. I wouldn't be afraid to use 10w30 in that engine.

 

Don't use that , change it ASAP..

 

Change it at your next change. Don't worry about it.

 

Maybe I'm misinformed about multigrade oils...

5W, 10W.. the W stands for winter - not weight. The idea is, 5WINTER will flow better in the winter (really cold, 32 and below) than a 10WINTER will while the engine is starting. Multi-grade oils...

So essentially, 10W-30 and 5W-30 are the SAME grade, except for the fact that 5W-30s viscosity during a very cold start up is better than a 10W. Remember, W is winter.

You're still a 30 weight oil at 212 fahrenheit, operating temps.

 

Ford switched oil viscosity weight for fuel economy only. 10w30, 5w30,5w20 put what ever you want in it...it won't hurt a thing....but fuel economy.

An snippet from Ford's media division:
http://media.ford.com/newsroom/featu...dia_technology

"Beyond Gasoline - High Mileage Oil
Who ever thought that engine oil could increase fuel mileage? If all U.S. consumers followed their owner's manual oil recommendations, about a half a billion gallons of gasoline could be saved each year. On top of that, starting in 2001, Ford led the industry by recommending the use of SAE 5W-20 motor oils in all light duty vehicles with the exception of 4.0-liter engines that use SAE 5W-30 oil.

Misangyi says that using 5W-20 can increase fuel economy by about one-half of a percent compared to 5W-30 and more if higher viscosity oils are used. This equates to an additional savings of 125 million gallons per year when used in all applicable Ford vehicles. Since its introduction in the 2001 model year, 5W-20 oils have saved up to 640 million gallons of gasoline in the U.S. or an equivalent 5.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

"The fuel savings for an individual customer over a year could also pay for an oil change," adds Misangyi.

Ford has also back-validated many vehicles made prior to 2001 to use 5W-20 motor oil. Check with your dealer or oil change supplier on whether or not you vehicle can use 5W-20."

 

I figured that my motor is as healthy as it is because I burn what the manufacturer suggests- I don't beleive that all oil is the same . If it's the wrong stuff , it's a long way to go on the wrong oil- until the next oil change?

It your motor, I wouldn't chance it..

 

I would make the oil change guy make it right just because he put in the wrong stuff, not because it will harm your engine. They are both 30 wt. oils and unless it's really cold your engine doesn't care.

 

5W20........ means when it's hot the weight will be 5 and when it's cold the weight would be 20. The W is referring to the last number not the first.

All oils get thinner as they get hot and thicker as they get cold.

 

Racingjake has it backwards - http://www.autoeducation.com/autoshop101/oil-change.htm

"Oil / Lubrication

Most people like to change their oil themselves and save money. The problem is that today's cars are more complicated and many people are intimidated. You can get specific oil change directions and other repair procedures online instantly from ALLDATA. You can even print out the directions and not worry about getting oil all over them ! I also have a large selection of auto repair manuals in my online shop, Click Here to check them out.

I receive a lot of questions regarding oil and the least understood part is the number system used to rate oils.

Oil weight, or viscosity, refers to how thick or thin the oil is. The temperature requirements set for oil by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210 degrees F (high).

Oils meeting the SAE's low temperature requirements have a "W" after the viscosity rating (example: 10W), and oils that meet the high ratings have no letter (example SAE 30). An oil is rated for viscosity by heating it to a specified temperature, and then allowing it to flow out of a specifically sized hole. Its viscosity rating is determined by the length of time it takes to flow out of the hole. If it flows quickly, it gets a low rating. If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating.

Engines need oil that is thin enough for cold starts, and thick enough when the engine is hot. Since oil gets thinner when heated, and thicker when cooled, most of us use what are called multi-grade, or multi-viscosity oils. These oils meet SAE specifications for the low temperature requirements of a light oil and the high temperature requirements of a heavy oil. You will hear them referred to as multi-viscosity, all-season and all-weather oils. An example is a 10W-30 which is commonly found in stores. When choosing oil, always follow the manufacturer's recommendation."


Make them change it, right is right.

 

That's all I ran in my 98 4.6 .

This question gets ask from time to time.
There are only two answers, and you will always get BOTH of them.

Bottom line: Will 10w30 kill your truck? NO.

 

jjmIII has it right IMHO.
I've run 10-W30 in my 97 5.4 Expy since new.
First dino, then Mobil 1 after 70K miles.

Have over 140K miles now, have a supercharger, tow in the desert, drive real fast, etc.

UOAs are good.
Cylinders have good compression.

Unless it's really cold where you live, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Thanks Bryndon actually the W stands for both it just depends if the oil is hot or cold. Whats funny is they say the low number is reach by heating the oil and the high number when it's cooling. So the low number is for the oil at temp and not for low air temp like in winter. Everytime I go out to start my truck the next day it's cold so I look at the high number on the oil.

Alot of folks believe when it's 20 degrees outside your oil in your engine is 5wt and when hot it's 20wt...... if your using 5w20. Do a test, take 2 qt's of the same multi oil and put one in the freezzer and one at room temp for a day. Then open them and pour them out at the same time and see which one is thinner.

 

Will it damage/harm the motor? Not a chance. If anything at all, there might be a very, very small drop in mileage, but nothing you would ever notice. We're talking like a .1% decrease or less.

Though if you asked for 5-20 and he gave you 10-30 (most places just dump 10-30 in everything, epically those "instant change" places who couldn't care less about your car), bring it back and demand it be fixed, or at least a voucher for a free change.

But if possible, change the oil yourself. Not a big deal and you save $$$ in the long run as well. Give you something to do on lazy Saturdays.