correct ford does not make motorcraft oil its recommended because it carries the ford logo..

 

X2!
Agreed.....

 

Not to sound like a tool, but you need to do some homework on oil. Using your words "you're gonna want the least friction possible"...well, you get this with a thinner oil. A lighter, thinner oil does not reduce protection and offers jut as much against friction. Added with the fact a thinner oil absorbs and dissipates heat quicker than a heavier oil. The old wives tale of running thick heavy oils needs to die along with 3,000 mile oil changes. And guess what else...coolant temp and cht have very little bearing on oil temp. Yes, I know a little something about oil temp as I've had a real, mechanical oil temp gauge on my truck since new. Oil temps are not a factor in this motor, I don't care how hot it is outside. There is no need for a heavier oil, and I would not recommend anything above 5W20 under any conditions. Its just not needed and offers no performance improvement or protection for the oil or the motor. Also, a new, modular motor running between 198 and 210 is not hot...that's completely normal. Oil temp on a 100* day with a 210 coolant temp will hang right around 195 or so. That's nothing for a modern oil. Keep in mind an oils viscosity is rated at 212.

 

That's it right there

 

My truck has 186,000 miles and still working hard with only MC 5-20 and MC filter. here we have between 60 - 105 ºF the temperature indicator is ALWAYS at the midle of the scale. Otside temperature dons't amtter for engine temperature

 

I understand what you guys are saying here, (a lot of guys make similar comments) but just keep in mind your coolant temp has very little to almost zero bearing on the oil temp. FWIW artgarcia...your indicator will always be in the middle of the scale unless you are having a major overheating problem. Your coolant temp can fluctuate anywhere between 160 to 230-ish and that needle will never move. It wont move towards the hot (away from where it normally sits) until the coolant gets above 230.

As an example, oil temp tends to hover around 100 above outside air temp during average driving conditions, but will vary depending on traffic, freeway, towing, extended idling, etc...all variables and all influence oil temp where as these factors do not influence coolant temp unless there's a problem. If it's 20 outside, oil temp is 110ish. If it's 110 outside, oil will be around 200-205. Where's your coolant temp at these two extremes??? Right where it should be at 200 + - 5.

Not to kick a dead horse, but either of these two extremes are not outside performance parimeters for a 5W20 oil...that's what these motors are designed for. Trying to outsmart the motor for what it needs in an oil is an exhausted effort in futility.

 

To the OP:

Google "Bob is the Oil Guy"

Lots of good info there, some too technical for me and maybe you.

My local Wally has MC semi-syn 5w-20 for $12 for 5 quarts! Buy another quart and a MC filter and I have a 5K oil change for $20 bucks or less.

Are there BETTER oils out there than MC, sure. But since MC is REALLY good oil, why waste the extra $$$ for not that much better. DOn't let anyone talk YOU out of peace of mind. I belive peace of mind is PRICELESS. If Mobil 1 was the SAME price...yea, I'd probably it or Pennzoil Platinum. Pennzoil Platinum is actually liked MORE than Mobil 1 on Bob is the oil guy.

Buy what makes YOU happy. For me: I'm staying with MC 5w-20 and MC filters.---DirtySCREW

 

The coolant temp gauge in these trucks is a glorified idiot light in the shape of a gauge.
To get a good reading of the coolant temp you'll need a scan tool, scan gauge, or programmer and then you'll need to realize the ECT is a inferred reading from the CHT.

 

WOW!!!!
I guess I opened a can of worms

But THANKS every one of you for the expert advise

Motorcraft 5-20w and fl820s oil filter is what it will be.

Thanks again
Keith

 

By the way, Here is a picture of the truck just in case anyone is interested

 

Yes i know, I have the edge and the ECT has very little variaton once the normal temperature is reached.

Only to double chec I'll check again how much variaton is there in the ECT (engine coolant temperature) during different driving and otside conditions.

 

Your engine runs hotter if the outside temps fluctuate by 20 or 30 degrees? Something is wrong with your engine.

Also the viscosity of the oil should not chance once it heats up slightly anyway.

 

True and well said, specially at the end.

 

Gordo- Me thinks you need to come into the 21st Century as far as oils, temps, and a whole lot more. I told my oldest brother when he bought his '07, "you can throw out everything you know about vehicles from 20 years ago" because he started stating knowledge from the distant past. I said "so much has changed that you're better to throw it all out and start fresh rather than try and pick the bits and pieces that are still valid from that far back", and that's a fact. I just bought my wife a 2011 car and now it's a whole "nuther" ball game!

 

Nice boat Keith, i have the same one but with a single console. What year is yours?