Ok, call me slow, But I have recently heard about people using 5W/30 instead of 10W/30.
I have always used 10W/30 in all my vehicles.
Can somebody tell me the pros and cons of using it? I have a 2000 F-150 4.2L with 4900 miles on it. What should I be using? Somebody also mentioned that is I do not use the 5W/30 as specified in my manual, Ford might void the warranty. Is that true? I never tow anything, but live in a hot hummid climate.

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2000 F-150 Sport
Mods~ Flowmaster 50, K&N
www.fordvschevy.com Ford vs Chevy
superstang97@yahoo.com
AIM: fakefvc

 

Yep Ford wants you to use 5W-30. It has better protection at start up. They had too many problems with these newer engines because of the closer tolerances not getting enough lubrication at start up. So they switched to 5W-30, and anti-drainback valves in the oil filters as well, to prevent this.

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30, Air filter minder, Perma Cool 8" (800 CFM) Tranny Cooler Fan (manualy switched).

 

does it cost anymore to get 5W/30?

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2000 F-150 Sport
Mods~ Flowmaster 50, K&N
www.fordvschevy.com Ford vs Chevy
superstang97@yahoo.com
AIM: fakefvc

 

"Hot climate" oil is not changing from 5W30 to 10W30. It's the 2nd # that is for that. The 5-10 is cold weather range.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

Fake,

Same price for both weight oils. Good advice here for the filters and warranty issues. I use the Ford Motorcraft brand FL 820S with the drainback (the "S" in the number.) It's important.

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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, HD electrical and cooling, power seat, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

OK, what's this anti-drainback valve? I've been using fram toughguard filters - am I doomed or are they ok?

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97 F250 LD XLT Supercab, 5.4 V8, 4x4, Towing, Load Leveling Suspension, 4 wheel Disk ABS, 3.73 Limited slip, payload #2, CD, Navigation System (wife), intruder alert system (two dogs)...

 

Fram Bad. I don't know about the "tough Guard" but most are not very good. Although they make a good one but I think its called the Ultama Gold or something like that. The last Fram I ever used caused very bad start up noise (valve clatter) for a few moments if I let the truck sit a few days. Scary for sure. Means the drain back valve wasn't very anti-drain back. I replaced it immediately.

Go to Walmart and get the Motorcraft if nothing else. As cheap as Fram. last one I bought there was under $4. Or get a Wix or Purolator. There are other good ones but I can't think of them now. Or if you want to go all out get some K&N, Amsoil, or the Mobil 1's. Very high efficency for about 8-10 dollars each.

And yes, 5W-30 is the same price as 10W-30. You got nothing to lose. I don't think you have put enough milage on this truck to worry about it. Just do right from now on and you will be fine.

[This message has been edited by cphilip (edited 07-11-2000).]

 

AndyU- being relatively new here, I must inform you that oil filters, oil, mufflers, and a few other things are hot topics. It's basically personal preference, but if you do a search of oil filter threads, you will find out that Ford and most members recommend filters with an anti-drainback valve. Ford OEM has one and there are alot of good reasons why this engine needs one. Most of the threads diss Fram filters.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

Max Mitchell is right on the money on this. The first number is important for startup and the second number is for how the oil acts when the engine is hot. The oil spec'd for our Ford engines is 5W-30. This spec was set by engineers who get paid to deal with this kind of stuff. They want their engines to ourlast the competition.

Don't listen to mechanics who claim that 10W-30 is what you need because you live in a warm climate. They're mechanics, not lubrication experts. They're not engineers. This thicker oil will not properly lube your engine when you first start it. That first start of the day is what causes the most engine wear, so the sooner you get oil to the parts, the sooner you get pressure up, the sooner you pump up those lifters, the better.

Always follow the Ford Owner's Manual that came with your truck. The only exception is when Ford comes out with a change that updates the info in the manual.

 

You wouldn't belive how hard it is to convince mechanics to put 5w30 in car/truck that require it.

I deal with Lube experts on a weekly basis. I try to point out that ford requires 5w30 and they will not even order it.

I just about give up, as long as my stores order some kind of oil at least that is a start. It is a slow process in changing their minds.

I even know some folks down here that are running 20w50 in their motors thinking that they are getting better protection.

I tell them unless they are starting the truck 1 time and running it near redline for a few hours at a time, they are ruining their engines.

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Lube-Direct


New Lubrication Forums

 

Dennis,
I just want to go over something with you.

You said "Don't listen to mechanics who claim that 10W-30 is what you need because you live in a warm climate. They're mechanics, not lubrication experts. They're not engineers. This thicker oil will not properly lube your engine when you first start it."

Now since a lot of guys talk about Amsoil on this sight I just looked up Amsoil Corporate web sight and looked at the 5w-30 and the 10w-30 oils. They are virtually the same at the high temp (100deg. C, cSt). The 10w30 was 11.6 and the 3w30 was 11.5. But what was interesting was the low temp numbers. The 10-30 was 64.3 and the 5w30 was 66.0 at 40 deg C, cSt. This means that the Amsoil 10-w30 will flow almost the same as the Amsoil 5w30. I am guessing that their numbers are correct, so how do you explain that?

Sincerely, Kevin

BTY I do agree that the 5w30 oil should be used for warranty, but I also believe that the 10w30 will work as well or better in you engines. The dealer has to prove that the oil you use is not as good as the one they recommended, and in this case they could not prove it. I am not and never will be an Amsoil dealer, I work for Lubrication Engineers (we also have very high quality oils 5w30 and 10w30).

 

Kevin,

I'm not an expert so I defer to the manufacturer when dealing with these issues. My thinking is, they know what's best for our engines. Contrary to what people think, they don't want these engines to fail (so you buy a new truck). They want them to outlast the competition so they will buy Fords the next time they're in the market.

Personally, I let the dealer do all the servicing on my vehicles while it's still covered under warranty. I don't have time to deal with any question about not maintaining the vehicles properly when they go in for warranty work. It happened to me once years ago and I don't want to go thru that ordeal again.

The Ford dealer uses 5W-30 and Motorcraft oil filters in my truck. That's good enough for me and the service intervals are set by them. No question about proper maintenance when I do it that way.

I'm sure Amsoil is a great product and I'd hope that their specs matches the standards as far as viscosity goes. My only concern deals with the extended oil change periods while under warranty.

I suppose the bottom line with me has always been, do what the manufacturer says while it's under warranty. Afterwards, put in what you like and live with your choice. Hell, do what you want to now, but don't grumble if Ford refuses to repair your truck under warranty.

 

FYI,
A Ford mechanic told me Ford had sent a bulletin
out regarding 5/30 versus 10/30. The bulletin advised against 10/30 due to condendsation build up in the engine.

Jerry.

 

Keven,

I'm not sure what amsoil products you were looking at, but I haven't seen those numbers,

I have numbers more like 58cSt(5w30) and 64cSt for the (10w30) at 40C.

Lets look at an oil that more folks use,

How about pennzoil.
60cst and 67cst respectively at 40C
10.5 and 10.5 at 100C. respectively.

A few other factors that might matter too are
Low temp viscosity measure in Centipoise (Cp)
This is still pennzoil.
5w30= <3300 @-25 C.
10w30= <3300@-20 C.
You see that is a 5 degree difference in the measurement

Lets also take into account that most oil that say start out with the decent numbers will have a higher viscosity after 3000 miles of use.
Especially those with 17% volitily like most conventional oils.

So I do beg to differ about the use of higher weight than required, also note that in the future you will see more of the 0w oils especially with a 0w20 5w20 comming out in the next few years.

Another note when talking conventional vs synthetics/ with synthetics it is possible to use the product in a wider range of applications. In essence, you can move up or down 1 viscosity grade and not really change too much, So even if you are using a synthetic 10w30 you are not far off from a conventional 5w30. And in fact you are getting a cold pour point with the 10w30 synthetic than you are getting with the
5w30 conventional.
Here is where I got my information, notice this is also the new pennzoil with purebase, which is supposed to be a group II base stock. http://www.pennzoil.com/TechData/pds...Multigrade.pdf

And the amsoil information is from the XL7500 which best represents the most common oil that folks would use(also the 5w30 and 10w30 numbers are side by side) http://www.amsoil.com/products/xlf.html

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Lube-Direct


New Lubrication Forums

 

Oil Man,

Where can I find Lubrication Engineers oil? Is it in stores, are there dealers??