What type of oil do you use?

[jlukasavige]

I just bought a 2001 Windstar and the guy didn't know what Wal-Mart used. He thought 5-20 in winter and 10-30 in summer.

Ford just recommend 5w-20. Does that sound right?

Thanks!

[Rotorman]

hello, jaylukasavige,

I use Castrol 10w-40 in the summer to protect the bottom end of my 3.0 and I use 10w-30 full synthetic in the winter to protect the top end. You can't be the smooth and quiet idle I get in the summer or the quick warmups in the winter.

[Ed_Strong]

Hi and welcome to the forums jlukasavige

Going with what ford recommends would by fine, but like Rotorman stated depending on what area of the country you live at also has a bearing on that decision.
Use thicker oil for warm climate and thinner for cold.

[jer1303]

Currently I'm using SuperTech 10w30 because I'm doing 2,000 mile oil drains until I get my leaky gaskets fixed (although a small amount of Barrs seems to have slowed it quite a bit). After that I will be using 5w-30 TropArtic at 4,500 mile intervals. I would use 5w-20 TropArtic but my local ChinaMart does not carry it.

I will also change from SuperTech to Wix filters when I 'extend' the OCI again. For now the cheapies are good enough.

[s1120]

Ford says to use 5w20, but mine had lower bearing slop, and a not so great oil pump. I did a quicky, barn job bearing replacement, but dont want to drop the motor to do the oil pump, so I run 10w30 to keep the psi up.

[garync1]

I use 5w30 mobil 1 full synthetic. With 101,000 + miles on it the Valve area is perfectly clean. Looks new on the inside of the oil fill area of the valve train.Plus it gets better gas mpg using it..

[rodeo02]

I've used nothing but several brands of 5w-20 and various filters in the 4yrs/50Kmi I've owned my 2001. It's as quiet as a mouse and silky smooth. It's never used any noticeable amount in the 4-6Kmi oil change intervals I do on it, even after some very strenuous ~1000mi road trips. The engine is clean and looks almost new under the hood and through the oil fill cap and I'm currently at over 80Kmi. One other oddity is; I've yet to have the isolator bolt issue!

Joel

[wiswind]

My engine did SUPER with Mobil 1 5W-30 for my '96 3.8L.
As you can see in my lower intake manifold pictures.....very clean.
FORD has since back spec'd 5W-20 for all years of windstar.
I currently have Redline 5W-20 in it.
I would stick with 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil unless told differently by an experienced mechanic, for a special situation.
If you live in a warm climate, and your manual lists a heavier weight for that situation....then the heavier weight would be good also.
In short.....sticking with what FORD recommends is a good idea.

[so2315]

My 2000 with the 3.8 was bought new, and has only had Valvoline 5W 30 in it paired up with a Motorcraft filter. Changed every 3K miles and it all looks like new on the inside!!

[MARZBX157]

I use Mobil 1 5w-30 in my 2000 windstar and everything works great. I change my oil every 5000 miles on the dot. I'm confident that the full synthetic compounds that make up Mobil 1 is the best protection money can buy. You can also buy redline or royal purple which are the best synthetic stock available.
Also, I saw a link where the good people from Royal Purple Dyno tested a Stock Camaro on OE fluids vs. the synthetics and showed an increase of 10 horsepower with synthetic. Here is a video link that will break it all down for you:
http://royalpurple.com/video4/trucks.html