I live in Florida where it gets pretty hot in the summer. When I read the manual for my 2008 5.4L It says use 5W-20. Other manuals show you the API chart showing Temps and viscocity, not on my 2008 manual, it just says use 5w-20. Is that what you guys are sticking with. I normally use a NAPA gold filter with Penn platinum synthetic at 6k intervals.

 

There is no reason not to use it. The Motorcraft 5w-20 is a very good oil.

 

Why would you want to use anything else when it might void your warranty if you have an engine problem? Ford had a reason for specifying that viscosity. Do a search on the subject, a lot has been said about oil over the last 3 years or so.

 

I have '98 F-150. Been using 5-20 the whole time. Zero internal problems. Having trouble with coils and misfires right now. But nothing inside. 10 years 180,000 + miles can't be wrong!

 

Idunno , I just try to stick by what it says under the hood and what the manufacturer suggests - when I'm not sure about something -



The most important to follow here is to use the Motorcraft Plugs and Oil filters on these motors..

Using a 50/50 Synthetic oil and changing every 3000 miles has netted my 5.4L 230,000 trouble free miles..

 

You definetely need to use 5w20 but not just any, you must use a synthetic or a synthetic blend otherwise the thing will burn oil like none other. I have seen a guy that I used to work for put bulk 10w30 in a 3v 6.8L, a 2v 5.4, and a 2v 6.8L and they all burned oil from day 1(1 quart every 500 miles usually) and the 2v's each popped 2 plugs right out of the head.

I have also seen my dad run motorcraft synthetic blend 5w20 in his 2 8.6L 2v V-10's and never burn a drip or have any internal problems. The one has 190,000 miles and the other has 50

I think that this should speak for itself

 

5-30 for me, 28,000miles on my 4.6. I would say in a warmer climate that you would be fine with a little thicker oil. My truck is garaged and never sees very cold temps but it gets warm here in the midwest. I'm no expert but 5-20 was introduced for better gas milage I thought.

 

I run 5-30 in mine too.
But it's far from stock and was recommended by my guy that dose all my motor work.

If it was stock I would run the 5-20.
Phil

 

Might is a pretty big word!! How many things have you done to your truck that "might" void the warranty?? I'll give you a hint...everything! But they have to prove it!!! My owners manual says 5W20 is "recommended", it does not say "required".

First, Ford would have to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt the oil weight you chose to run was a major (if not the sole) contributor to an engine failure to deny warranty. Good luck with that one Ford!! Second, (and goes hand in hand with the first) as I already mentioned, it says recommended. They can't require you to use any particular brand or type of product, nor can they use the fact that you didn't against you. I absolutely do agree with you that Ford has a reason for recommending a particular weight of oil, I just get caught up in vauge, blank warranty statements. Sorry.




Well that's it then!!! One guy had those problems it must be definitive!!! There was a guy on here just a week or so ago with a new truck (running syn blend Motorcraft 5W20 I think) burning a quart of oil every 700 miles in a new truck. So since we have one reported case on the other side I guess we're screwed. I'd like to go on record as saying what type of oil he was using had absolutely zilch to do with the fact that he blew two spark plugs out...that's what you are implying, correct??

5W20 has more than proven itself over the past 5 years or so. When Ford first recommended it in '02 (I think it was) there was hours and hours of threads and debates on here about "that oil is too thin" and "Ford is doing it for fuel economy not for the needs of the motor". I'll admit I got wrapped up in all that and decided to go with a 5W30. I don't regret not using the 20, but I wish I had. I'm not going to switch to a 5W20 this late in the game, but I've sure thought about it.

On that note I've had ZERO problems from using a 5W30 for 75,000 miles (today).

On the other side of that coin, if you are completely locked down and made up your mind you're not gonna use it, a 5W30 is in no way going to be detrimental to your motor.

If I had a new truck I would be using Amsoil 0W20 regardless of climate where I lived or how the truck was used.

 

I use 5-20w regular dino oil. Last year, I did change out and use Mobil 1 Syn when I had 130,000 miles on it with the idea of not having to change the oil for 5 or 8k miles and it burned a quart of oil quick, like within 1000 miles. It did that again (2 quarts used inside of 3000 miles) so at 3,000 miles I went back to dino (Just cheap ole Chevron 5/20) and it DOES NOT burn that oil and I change that every 3k miles, cuz its cheap. I've never added a quart inside of 3,ooo miles either before or after so WTF.

Motor has 145,000 on it now and it runs perfectly.

I've also used a mix of motorcraft and fram filters. Ive used fram filters since I've owned cars in the mid 80s, probably owned upwards of 14 cars and never had an oil related failure. Hell, never had any kind of failure. Though, all the paranoia about filters has gotten me to either use MC or Wix or Denso filters these days.

I dont believe syn oil is any better than regularly changed dino oil tho.

I may be wildly wrong. Meh. It's the internet.

 

You need to use the suggested "thin like water" oil because the bearing clearances in the modular engines are .001" -. 002", closer to .001" on a new engine.

 

Ditto, except I have the 4.6 liter, same mileage though.

 

Use what FoMoCo recommeds....5w20!...........

 

5w20 oil just reduces emmisions a little bit otherwise it really doesnt matter but i'd use 10w30

 

Use 5/20 100% synthetic with a K&N or Mobil 1 filter.