I'm hearing some controversy about the 5w-20 requirment in the 5.4L engine. Apparently, Ford has some ulterior motives for implementing this requirement. That particular viscosity does seem a bit light, particularly in the extreme Texas heat. Did they have Detroit weather in mind when they printed this requirement in big yellow letters on the oil cap?

Anyway, I understand Amsoil makes a 5w-20 synthetic that they claim adds a lot of extra protection. Being somewhat new to using synthetics, I was wondering if Mobil 1 comes in different viscosity grades, or if it is its own animal. Would a semi-synthetic be good? I use Castrol semi-synth 20w-50 in my '64 GTO and it is superior. Some of your experiences would be helpful as I am always hesitant to go against factory recommendations.

 

Ford went to the 5W-20 to help them increase their CAFE fuel mileage average for their entire line of vehicles.

I would save my money on the synthetic blends. They are less than 5% synthetic. You're just getting dino oil with a little bit of synthetic.

AMSOIL 5W-20 has excellent properties and shear strength to protect your 5.4. I use AMSOIL Series 2000 0W-30 in our new Expedition with the 5.4. It will not void any warranty and AMSOIL will back that up should you have any problems with the dealership.

The Mobil 1 comes in several viscocity grades from 0W-30 to 15W-50.

 

Actually, from what I've been reading, there is no official word from Ford that the reason for switching to 5W-20 oil was only for increasing the CAFE. It seems that such reports are coming from sources other than Ford. BTW, when I say Ford, I'm not talking about Joe down at the Ford dealer.

I've also read that auto manufacturers routinely test their vehicles in places like Death Valley.

I think it's preposterous for anybody to think that Ford (and Honda) switched to this oil without fully testing it. Why would anybody risk engine failures across the board like some here think will happen? It makes absolutely no sense for anybody to think it wasn't fully tested before hand. Besides, Ford also put out a TSB saying they advise owners of older engines to switch to 5W-20. CAFE only applies to the current model year. Not models built in the 80s and 90s!

 

Might as well go with the Ford spec. You can't void your warranty this way.

 

If you check out the General Care forum under Body there has been a discussion going on for quite some time on 5w-20 vs. 5w-30 vs. 10w-30. There is alot of good information there, but no 100% answers to your question...jst alot of facts regarding oil and opinions on which weight is best.

 

I tend to agree. I read a post by a Ford tech that said the reason for the switch to 5-20 was due to tighter bearing tolerences, and not just fuel economy. Using a heavier weight
oil may not provide the proper lubrication. I also read something
to this effect from another posting.

Anyone else hear/read this?

 

HI!... I've been running VALVOLINE 10-W-30 oil in my 5.4 for 3 years now and have had NO problems.

 

Just talked to the Ford shop mechanics here in Calgary and asked them about the oil debate we are dealing with there on this board.

They said that the reason Ford went to the 5W-20 is to meet and exceed emission requirements placed on them by the government.

They said that if I changed my oil out to 5W-30 from the 5W-20 it would not void my warranty in any way at all....in fact the Ford tech said that it would pertect it better using the 30 weight oil on hot driving days.

I also phoned up a couple of performance shops here and they also said that the 5W-20 was for fuel mileage and the 5W-30 would be a better bet for protection of my engine.

Either way some people are going to argue this debate.....once I break in my 2002 Supercrew FX4 I will be filling it up with Amsoil 0W-30 anyways, until then it will be the trusty Pennzoil 5W-30.

 

5W-20 for Winter ... 5W-30 for Summer

Change oil every 3000 miles. Castrol, Havoline, Quaker State on sale for $.59 to $.69 per qt. with rebate. Motorcraft FL820S oil filters at Walmart for $2.97.

At less than $7 per oil change, you can do them as often as you like. Biggest hassle is disposing of the old drain oil. JMHO

 

I phoned up the Dealers Service Department I told him that I was recording the conversion and asked what if I used 10-30 would it void my warranty ABSOLUTELY NOT! Vehicle manufacturers only recommend using motor oils meeting certain viscosity grades and American Petroleum Institute service requirements. He told me that when they don't have 5-20 they use 5-30 or 10-30. It might not be in writing but this is the service manager that has worked there for 10 years.

Motorcraft oil is made by Valvoline

I was in Wal-Mart they had Motorcraft Premium Synthetic Blends 5w-20 - 5w-30 for $1.69 a quart and Motorcraft FL820S oil filters at Wal-Mart for $2.97. For about $15.00 a oil change
I bought a case of each 5-20 for winter and 5-30 for summer.

Dogface

P.S. I record every conversion with the dealer by phone or hand held in person it helps to get things done.
Works for me.

 

So far all I see is what dealers are saying. I guess it's important in a way since if it breaks, they'll have to fix it even if Ford says otherwise since they are on record saying it's ok.

I would still like to see an explanation from a credible source at Ford Corporate. It's a Golden Rule thing with me since the money for repairs comes from them.

 

I've wondered about this, too. I went from a '98 to a '01... same engine, tranny, gears, etc... The only difference was the manual called for 5w-20 instead of 5w-30. With summers in Texas exceeding 100 degrees for weeks at a time, isn't 5w-20 too light?

 

I PERSONALLY feel that 5w-20 is too light regardless of where you live.

The 20 is SAE 20 when the motor is at operating temperature. The 5w is the weight of the oil at 0 degrees F regardless if it is 5w-20 or 5w-30.

FYI for everybody - while we all agree, and most dealers have backed up the claim, that the 5w-30 vs. 5w-20 will not void your warrenty, Ford dealers HAVE voided warrenties when other weight oils are used and they feel that the damage was caused by the heavier weight oil. I HAVE experienced this first hand.

 

Come on guys, I can't see how some of you actually believe the switch was made for fuel economy and not for better protection agaist engine at start-up? (were 90% of wear occurs) As for Texas (God I love the Great Lone Star State) the heat there won't have much effect. Just watch your temp gauge as you should regardless. You keep her (your engine) in the proper temp range and you will have NO problems. It is the byproducts of combustion and the consumption of additives that wears out motor oil (dino or syth) as long as you don't run your motor a 235+ degrres you'll be fine.

The lower viscosity (pourability) will let the cold oil circulate faster and get into tighter spots (closer tolerances)

CAFE requirements indeed, I mean like do you really believe any so called improvements that this switch would make could even be accuratily measured? Have any of you done a few hundred "blind" tests in lab conditions to verify any so called Fuel economy improvements reaped by such a small change in oil weight. It's not like they went from 20w50 to 5w20 after all.

Some day this arguement might actually die.

Petrol
16+ years in the industry (Petroleum that is)

 

As much as I don't want to keep this going, I must correct Petrol about the two oils in question. The viscosity between 5w-30 and 5w-20 will be that same at cold start-up, SAE 5W at zero degrees F, and therefore no more or less damage will be done. The difference between these two oils is the viscosity at operating temperatures.