Happy Holidays Everyone!!

My truck has the little round sticker that says LEV on the drivers side window. Usually when I read Low Emissions I equate that with Less Power.

Does anyone know what exactly is the difference between an LEV and a Non-LEV Vechicle? Does an LEV engine produce less HP/TQ than a non LEV? I am thinking of a putting a superchip in the truck, good/bad idea in an LEV? Maybe a different MOD first?

I have searched the site and came up with nothing on this topic. Any help would be great!!

Thanks!

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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Silver, 4X4, AOD, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

I believe what it means is that it meets or exceeds next years new California standards. Same as my 2000 Expy.

I did put a chip in about 2-3 weeks ago along with Airaid FIPK and next is the Gibson S/S Side Swept cat back.

So far with the chip and FIPK, I'm seeing a little better MPG although I've got less that 500 miles on it since. Other than that, I have no idea what it's done with emissions. I'm hoping it's burning a little cleaner.

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2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2
Estate Green
5.4 ltr
3:55 LS rear
Tow Package
Superchip
Airaid FIPK
Rear Load Leveling
Moonroof
Century Child Seat!
Gibson Stainless Steel Swept Side Ordered and Backordered!

 

My Harley truck has that LEV sticker. I, too, have a Superchip and a K&N FIPK and the truck is *very* responsive. Dunno what that means, but am sure curious to hear from someone who does!

One other thought after reading the Engine Group messages. My owners manual does NOT recommend 5W-20, it says 5W-30. So, does that mean that the lower 20W oil isn't always needed for emission control?

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'00 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
Hard Tonneau Cover
Superchip
K&N FIPK
Hidden Hitch w/Harley Logo
Peronalized Plate: F150 HD
'99 FLHRCI '95 XLH

 

HarleyGuy,

I believe that all the 2001 year 150's require the 5-20 oil. When I asked the dealer about the difference in oil weight he looked in a 2000 Harley 150 which said 5-30. I showed him my 2001 manual and it says 5-20.

I do know that the lighter the oil the more fuel efficent the engine "should" be. There was also some talk that when the engine was warm and you started the truck that the "heavier" weight would take longer to get to the top of the engine where the overhead cam is at, thus the 20 weight oil.

Come to think of it does the Harley Davidson Edition come with a 5.7 and not a OHC 5.4?

-Tills

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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Silver, 4X4, AOD, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

Guess my question or thought was that since it had that LEV sticker, the manual would recommend the lower weight oil as it does on the 2001s. (Yep, the Harley edition is a 5.4L, btw).

Wonder if there really is a difference between the 2000 and 2001 engines? I doubt it, and bet the 5W-20 new requirement somehow gets them a very tiny increase in MPG, especially right after starting. Here in Iowa, I wouldn't mind using the lower weight oil, but it sure would make me nervous if I still lived in Phoenix or San Antonio.

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'00 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
Hard Tonneau Cover
Superchip
K&N FIPK
Hidden Hitch w/Harley Logo
Peronalized Plate: F150 HD
'99 FLHRCI '95 XLH

 

HarleyGuy,

Family Ride is probably right..it is some government regulation(s) that requires one set of specs for the 2000 and another for the 2001. so instead of redesigning the engine to meet the new 2001 specs just put in a lighter oil.

You can use the 5-30 since it is a year 2000, It would be very interesting to see what the HD 2001 models are required to use.

Personally I run Mobil 1 5-30 synthetic w/mobil 1 filter. Will switch to 0-30 next change due to the winter time arriving.

-Tills

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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Silver, 4X4, AOD, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

LeatherReb, I switched to Mobil 1 0W-30 in my wife's explorer and it sure likes starting better this year in the cold weather. (Used to use 10W-30.)

I plan to do the same switch to Mobil 1 with the HD truck as soon as I get to the second oil change at 3000 miles (after changing it at 1000 miles with dyno oil).

I'll bet the 2001 HD trucks have the 5W-20 recommended, too. As you say, it will be interesting to see. The HD truck won't affect their overall EPA rating much since it is limited production. If they do leave it at 5W-30 that would say a lot about what they are recommending for the rest of the fleet.

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'00 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
Hard Tonneau Cover
Superchip
K&N FIPK
Hidden Hitch w/Harley Logo
Peronalized Plate: F150 HD
'99 FLHRCI '95 XLH

 

HarleyGuy

How often do you change the Mobil1 in the Expy? I do alot of highway driving (100+ a day) and was going to change it every 3000. I have been reading that 5000-7000 is fine for Mobil1 sythentic. I have also been thinking of getting an oil anaylsis done to better gauge my oil wear.

-Tills

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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Silver, 4X4, AOD, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

LeatherRebel,

I used to change the oil in the Explorer every 3K miles when I used the dyno oil. After changing to Mobil-1 I now change it every 6K or 7K. I think even after extending the interval out to 7K, the engine will still be in better shape overall than when I used dyno oil. Extending the interval out helps offset the addl. cost, too.

There is really a noticeable difference when I crank the engine over with our current crop of 10 below zero temperature mornings now that I'm using the 0W-30 synthetic.

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'00 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
Hard Tonneau Cover
Superchip
K&N FIPK
Hidden Hitch w/Harley Logo
Peronalized Plate: F150 HD
'99 FLHRCI '95 XLH

 

Thanks Harley..

I will put in 0-30 in my next oil change.

Does anyone know what is the difference between and LEV and a non-LEV truck? I have searched but I can not find any info.

Thanks


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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Silver, 4X4, AOD, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

The LEV standards are voulantary for manufacturers, they can choose which if any of their vehicles to include in the program. It deals with more stringent tailpipe emissions that the EPA cannot mandate. There are four levels TLEV, (transitional low emissions) LEV, ULEV, (ultra low emissions) and ZEV (zero emissions). I believe once a model is included, all must meet the LEV standard, they can't make some that do and some that do not.
Jeff

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4X2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield
VentVisors
Class III hitch
Ford molded mud guards
Soft tonneau cover
Factory CD with changer
Tinted windows
Factory fog light kit

http://www.my-f150.com/lariatregcab/

 

As stated before, the LEV rating is just for emissions. The Expedition has been rated as LEV since being introduced in '97. The engines are not de-powered nor do they require "special" fluids or care. Follow the specifications in your owner's manual for fluid weights and types.


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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 F150 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires, & Line-X.

NoMo's site

 

You might have a 4R100 transmisson.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

My Home Page

 

2000..

I do have the 4R100 in my ride. Why would this make it a "low emissions vechicle"? From what I have heard (and please correct me if I am wrong) is that the torque converter does not truly lock up. Therefore you would get less MPG then the 4R70, which does have a converter that truly locks up.

That makes me think that you are putting out more emissions and actually going against the LEV claim. Is there something else with the 4R100 that is better than the 4R70, so it makes it more efficient?


-Tills

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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Silver, 4X4, AOD, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

Hey 2000,

I was just under the hood checking the oil when I realized that my tranny dipstick indicates Mercron V only. It looks like I was wrong and I have the 4R70 instead.

How good is this? I guess that the fact it has synthetic in it makes it LEV compliant. I am a bit disappointed since from what I read that the 100 was mostly a C6..and damn you could not kill that beast if you tried.

I have seen the posts from Neal and he has the 70 and has had no problems; at least not yet. (I hope I didn't jinx ya Neal!)
Any problems with the "70" ?

-Tills