IMO if you have 50,000 + miles on your truck moving from a 5-20 to 5-30 would not hurt a thing. The difference between the two is minimal. I am running 5-30 synthetic in mine with 90,000 km (56250 miles) with no issues. It seems quieter at start up to me. Lots of guys here run the 5-30. I have seen threads saying ford only switched to the 5-20 as a way to get more fuel economy and that it didn't work. Just my thoughts.

 

Perhaps I'm overlooking the obvious....

Why not cheat a little and simply change the oil on both vehicles at the same time? This moves the change time from 6 weeks to 3-5 months. In addition, why not stock up on a few 5 qt jugs of oil when Walmart _does_ get it in? Six jugs would last 6-10 months and would be less expensive then single quarts.

Also, if you're only driving a vehicle 12k miles a year and don't usually have short hops, you could go 5 months between changes instead of 3. That would save a _lot_ of money. Of course, this part is up to you. Ford change the intervals on 2007 and newer vehicles.

 

Isn't that the truth!

Anyway, for the record, I'm knocking on 30K's door and I've been using 5W-20 Mobile 1 since the first oil change and have had no reason to be unhappy. I go via the manual's recommended change intervals.

If I do still have the truck at 60K and beyond, - I highly doubt it - I do plan to switch to 5W-30 from thereonin.

We'll see...

 

Ford went to 5w20 because of the tighter fit on the piston. The manufacturer found a way to increase the silicon content in the metal for this. It also is good for reduced emissions since there's less chance for unburned hydrocarbons to get down to the top ring. 5w30 is for the V6 engine so that it can linger longer and pick up more heat that the engine is producing. I use a 5w20 full synthetic that I run for many thousands of miles before changing. Synthetics have proven to increase horse power during dyno tests.

 

I'll have to say that's the first time I've ever heard that one. So what about all the people prior to '02 running "factory recommended" 5W30 in thier motors. There's also A LOT of people running 5W30 after that also!! I got caught up in all the hype that 5W20 was too thin and I've been running 5W30 for 80,000, 100% trouble free miles now!!

Ford went to 5W20 for fuel economy reasons. That's also why they backwards recommended it for the older 5.4L motors. Nothing was new about the '02 5.4 motor when they switched.

 

With virtually no wear to speak of you should go another 80k miles.

 

Absolutely....it was strictly a CAFE reason for the switch. 5W20 is a proven oil, that is not to say 5w30 is going to grenade your engine. Me personally I go with what ever is on sale in the 20/30 weight range...engine noise is the same with both.
I have seen UOA's where 5W40 was used in a 5.4l and the wear numbers are excellent. Not to give anyone here a reason to go thicker, just to put the tighter tolerance theory to rest.

 

You can also go to www.amsoil.com and order there synthetic oils. I have used them in my vehicles for about 7 years now and they work great. They also have extended run oils in most viscosities including 5w-20, And they also have filters and all kinds of other products. If you become a member you get a better price and all oils can be ordered in bulk. Oh and they are all made in the good ol USA. So you can help out an american company selling american products. Good luck.

 

contact a local oil company, you may see them in the 6 wheel trucks running around. most carry everything from a quart, up to a tanker load of bulk oil.

 

Be careful ... last time I stocked up on oil/filters (for my Jeep), my wife wrecked it two weeks later!

 

you may be able to find a case of it at sams..I know they have boxes of oil...just not sure what they stock

 

fastfordfx4....turn on your private messages or e-mail capability or something!!

 

Or you could just **** in the oil pan, urine makes about the same level of protection as Amsoil.

5w20 = 5 summer 20 winter wieght oil
5w30 = 5 summer 30 winter wieght oil

You can do the rest of hte math. 5/20 costs more. I run 10w30 synthetic in mine, 110K miles no leaks no taps rattles or pings. Sams is the best place to buy in bulk, cases of mobil 1 usually run about $29-$32 here. Walmart sells the 5 quart jug for $26-$27, but there is usually some asshat who buys it all up, like me!

 

Document this, please. That's just wrong. That's like saying that Citgo gas will foul your injectors because you don't like sending your money to Venezuela. Amsoil is no worse than any other 100% synthetic oil. Their multi-level marketing model and dealer evangelism may be offensive to people but that has nothing to do with the quality of the product.

 

goes in the wife's car because she will get a new one after this lease is up. I run Amsoil exclusively in my truck. We had them as a sponsor on the race car and the maintenance levels were longer with them. Say what you may but Amsoil beats Mobil 1 in tests but don't get me wrong I would use it if my local supplier quit stocking it.