Based on the logic that any approved SAE oil will met warranty requirements, I should be able to dump some 15w40 in there and still have Ford cover me if damage occurs. Good grief!

The fact of the matter is Ford doesn't have to prove anything in terms of this oil vs. that oil. Use the recommended oil or void your warranty coverage because you did not live up to your end of the warranty agreement. I will defend to the end your right to use something else, but don't expect Ford to pick up the tab when it breaks. I get tired of having the price of my vehicle (or anything else for that matter) pay for the whining of others who either can't or won't follow directions and then make a huge stink when Ford won't pay for their choice, until Ford relents to make a customer happy.

In any event, you have a couple of choices: Either follow the terms of your warranty agreement, run something else but don't go crying to Ford when it breaks, or buy another brand that uses the oil weight you like. (Or buy an older Ford in this case). Good luck.

 

I think most of you on here have the right idea. Follow what Ford wants up to the end of the warranty and then got to whatever you want. When I bought my Ford the dealer said I should use what ever I wanted it didn't matter. In fact at my free oil changes one time they used Motorcraft 5w30 dino oil and then another time they used Motorcraft 10w30 dino oil. Either one they don't care about their customers or Ford has been backing any of the problems that their customers have had with thier engines and oil.
I have been using 5w30 dino oil (Castrol GTX) since I bought the truck used at 86,000 miles (now has 121,000), now I want to switch to Mobil 1, is this a good idea?

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97 Ford F150 XLT 4wd 4.6L auto, Std cab/Long bed, PW,PL, and PM, captian chairs w/arm rests
Sylvania Cool Blue Bulbs, Ford logo hitch and license plate, tinted windows, blackouts front and rear(w/ford logos on front blackouts),ventvisors all around, painted logos on door sills and under hood, 55w backup lights, K&N Filter, custom 4x4 emblems,and much more to come


thomaswright5714@hotmail.com

 

You do all have a point about not just "any" SAE approved oil. The point is that there was no changes to the engine that *requires* 5w20 oil. The only reason they recommend a dino 5w20 oil is to keep the tree-huggers happy. So, the only reason Ford would not pay for warranty due to you having nice clean 5w30 synthetic (which they could never legally prove caused any problems, how could they?) is because they want to be pr!cks. Now, we don't know of any dealers who would pull such a dirty stunt, now would they?

I bet you all one thing: go to every Ford dealer in your area, and ask them this specific question. I bet you will get most who will say, "no problem". Get a guarantee from them they will cover you under warranty if you use 5w30.

Then you will get some dealers who fall into the pr!ck category and they give you some schpiel about how "non approved, ie non 5w20, will cause egine knock, premature wear, etc., etc,". Absolute crap! Back them into a corner and demand to know why Ford suddenly requires 5w20 oil in Triton engines which have run just fine on 5w30 or even 10 or 15 w30 just fine ever since they have come out. Further back them into a corner by inquiring as to how they can immediately deny warranty when they must prove that the 5w30 specifically caused the problem. That would never hold up in court. Don't ever think that the Ford dealers who are pr!cks hold absolute power, either. If they must provide warranty, they cannot get out of it due to some lame excuses.

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'97 F-150 4x4 SC SB 4.6L. Riding on Sport King 265/75R16 AT's. Add-a-Leafs & Torsion lift. Side Bars. WMS Intake, TB spacer, and Superchip!

Wish list: 4.10 Gears, Hedman Hedders, 3" body lift, 33x12.5 MT's!!