5w-20 vs. 5w-30 motor oil?

[SwampRat013]

I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this topic because I have heard many different opinions Is 5w-20 really a necessity in the the new Ford engines?

I drive a 2005 F-150 4.2 liter V6 and I use Mobil 1 5w-30 during the hot months (I'm in Florida so that's about 8 months out of the year) and I run mobil 1 5w-20 during the cooler winter months. I change it at 5000 intervals. I only use a mobil 1 synthetic filter, and I change it every time I drain the oil.

Any thoughts, praises, questions, criticisms? I'd just like to hear people's outlook on this. Thanks.

[fordtrucksonly]

Ford Recommends 5w-20 all year round, and have in most of their motors for years and years. As far a reason why not to use 5w-20.. There really isnt any, it wont hurt the motor to run a 5w-30, just the oilling system won't peak like it would with a lower viscosity oil. At least thats what Ford tells us (I work for Lou Sobh Ford) And filter wise, Theres really no differance in many of them, A regular Motorcraft FL-400S will work just fine with your 4.2. I know K&N makes a oil filter now, and if anything i would recommend those. And also, Oil change intervals.. Running a Synthetic blend 5w-20 or 5w30 its more than a good idea to change it every 3K miles. I accually change mine every 2K in all my vehicles.


EDIT: Also, its a DEFINATE necessity to change filter EVERY time you change oil. Our Lube tech got fired accually today for leaving a factory filter on a customer car, and I was the one who found it out after the filter got cloged up and I had to take the job to fix someone elses mistake and loosing money on jobs a i could have been doing instead.

[~manuel~]

Originally Posted by SwampRat013

I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this topic because I have heard many different opinions Is 5w-20 really a necessity in the the new Ford engines?

I drive a 2005 F-150 4.2 liter V6 and I use Mobil 1 5w-30 during the hot months (I'm in Florida so that's about 8 months out of the year) and I run mobil 1 5w-20 during the cooler winter months. I change it at 5000 intervals. I only use a mobil 1 synthetic filter, and I change it every time I drain the oil.

Any thoughts, praises, questions, criticisms? I'd just like to hear people's outlook on this. Thanks.

i wouldnt use 5w20, ever! unless of course i lived in the north pole. i use mobil 1 5w50 during the winter months, where the temperature occassionally drops below freezing. at all other times i use 15w50. i am a firm believer in synthetic oils. just my opinion.

[IbenTruitt]

I was told by a Ford factory rep that using the 5w20 increased your gas mileage by 1/2 of 1 percent. Now try to figure out how much that would be. ;-)

He also said that extending your oil change interval because you were using synthetic oils was a no-no and would void your warranty. As long as the oil meets the specs listed in your owner's manual the use of dino/syn oil is up to you.

[SwampRat013]

Originally Posted by IbenTruitt

I was told by a Ford factory rep that using the 5w20 increased your gas mileage by 1/2 of 1 percent. Now try to figure out how much that would be. ;-)

He also said that extending your oil change interval because you were using synthetic oils was a no-no and would void your warranty. As long as the oil meets the specs listed in your owner's manual the use of dino/syn oil is up to you.

I know a mechanic who uses synthetic motor oil in his 02 F-150 and he pushes it up to 8000 miles bewteen oil changes. I'm not quite comfortable doing that with my truck, but he tells me that going only 3000 miles with synthetic is pointless because I am wasting the oil's true potential.

I appreciate all of you for your input.

[fordtrucksonly]

Originally Posted by SwampRat013

I know a mechanic who uses synthetic motor oil in his 02 F-150 and he pushes it up to 8000 miles bewteen oil changes. I'm not quite comfortable doing that with my truck, but he tells me that going only 3000 miles with synthetic is pointless because I am wasting the oil's true potential.

I appreciate all of you for your input.

Well, Your buddy needs a lesson on oil. Not trying to be rude or whatever you may call it. But, Oil dosent get better in time, its best is when you first put it in your motor. It can only go downhill from there.. Give his motor maybe a few more years and it'll be wore out. 8k on reg. synthetic oil is just stupid. Follow the owners manual.

[IbenTruitt]

My son used Vavoline full synthetic in his 350 Suburban after the first oil change. He changed the oil himself every 7500 miles. At 99,xxx miles the lifters started clattering. He had it torn down and replaced the roller cam (original), lifters, timing chain, water pump, everything that had to come off went back on new. The mechanic noticed an appreciable amount of sludge build up but did nothing about it. Within 25 miles after picking it up, the oil pressure went to 0. He had it towed back and found the oil pump screen clogged. The engine was shot. He had to install a crate engine to get it back on the road. He has switched back to dino Vavoline which has served us well down through the years.

I had an 85 Nissan pickup that went 150k before blowing a head gasket between cylinders. When we pulled the head, there was absolutely no sign of a lip from the rings. We could still see the hatch marks from the cylinder hone! We had used nothing but dino Vavoline since it was new and kept it changed at 3k intervals.

That's enough proof for me. I'll stick with dino oil and change it every 3000 miles. Works great for me!

[fordtrucksonly]

Another thing i use in all my vehicles is BG 3k, and BG MOA, its a good solution you mix with oil and it gets rid of sludge buildup and cleans oil system. good stuff made by BG.