5w-30 instead of 5w-20

[timeless2]

The wife went through a speed lube type place on Saturday to get the Escape's oil changed (3 liter, DOHC) and they put in 5w-30 instead of 5w-20. Should I be worried and take it back and have them put the right grade in there? Sorry it's not a stang post, but a modular question nonetheless.

Even so, would 5w-30 hurt the 4.6 or 5.4 (or other modulars)?

 

[mac1009]

I've been running 5w30 in both my '04 GT and '05 Escape w/out a problem. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[newstangman]

Two schools of thought:

1. 5/20 provides better EPA MPG; hence why Ford recommends it

2. Modular engine tolerances are tight and 30W is too thick to properly lubricate (once engine warms up).

Not sure about #2, but #1 is a fact! Others???

 

[KronicRacer]

depends on the year because remember there is a call for use of 0w20 which is insane.(too light IMO)

im using 10w30 in 105* fla heat when its not raining with no problems.

 

[timeless2]

Is the last number the "full temperature" viscosity, or do I have it backwards? I think its 5w when cool and 20 or 30 (depending on grade) when warm, right?

 

[KronicRacer]

yea 1st no is at startup and the second is at operating temp.

 

[COBRA90GT]

It'll be fine, don't sweat it. You can run the current oil in there and switch back to 20 at the next oil change if you are overly concerned about the situation.


Ford switched their "official oil recommendation" from 30 to 20 weight oil so they could squeeze out better gas mileage in order to save money when it came to CAFE. The acronym CAFE stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. Think $$$.

 

[timeless2]

It'll be fine, don't sweat it. You can run the current oil in there and switch back to 20 at the next oil change if you are overly concerned about the situation.


Ford switched their "official oil recommendation" from 30 to 20 weight oil so they could squeeze out better gas mileage in order to save money when it came to CAFE. The acronym CAFE stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. Think $$$.

I figured it would be OK, but wanted to run it by the "clan" first to see if there were any huge issues. I also figured it probably wouldn't hurt since it's not driven hard and it is, after all, summer and temps are high; making thickness less of an issue. (Cold, stiff oil kills metals...)

 

[DropTopPony]

depends on the year because remember there is a call for use of 0w20 which is insane.(too light IMO)

im using 10w30 in 105* fla heat when its not raining with no problems.

i've been using 5w30 or 10w30 in mine since it was new. Almost 10 years now without a problem. I do think my car manual recommends 5w30 for 96 but changed later i guess?

 

[40th GT]

i've been using 5w30 or 10w30 in mine since it was new. Almost 10 years now without a problem. I do think my car manual recommends 5w30 for 96 but changed later i guess?

The real question is did Ford change the engine tolerances between 1996 and 2004. If they haven't 5w30 would be fine to use.

 

[AdRock]

I've tried a few different weights in my 02 and it seems to run best on 5w-30.. Running AMSOIL.

 

[bdcardinal]

the 5-30 in an escape is fine. the 3.0L motor in that is the same Duratech theyve been using in the taurus' for years.

5-30 is fine in the mod motors. there was no changes in tolerances over the years. when i talked to the 07 GT500 engine designer he said that he personally suggests 5-30 because he doesnt trust the 20wt oils.

 

[2013 Geee T]

I used to use the 5w30 before Mobil 1 had a 5w20 and never had a problem.

 

[timeless2]

the 5-30 in an escape is fine. the 3.0L motor in that is the same Duratech theyve been using in the taurus' for years.

5-30 is fine in the mod motors. there was no changes in tolerances over the years. when i talked to the 07 GT500 engine designer he said that he personally suggests 5-30 because he doesnt trust the 20wt oils.

BD, you really talked to the gt500 designer? I also have wondered about the ability of the 20w oil to get up to and successfully lube the ENTIRE valvetrain and heads.....

 

[bdcardinal]

BD, you really talked to the gt500 designer? I also have wondered about the ability of the 20w oil to get up to and successfully lube the ENTIRE valvetrain and heads.....

ya i talked to him back in october at Howlin at Buttonwillow. this was when it was still called the 07 Cobra. he wouldnt tell me about the motor but said that it was "plenty powerful" and "bigger than a 4.6." he said he uses mobil 1 5w30 in most of his cars. he also said that SVT motors are not broken in from the factory. they just dump in motorcraft 5w20 and drop it in the car.

he also said that he worked onthe 00R, the terminator, and the Explorer 5.0 motor.

 

[timeless2]

ya i talked to him back in october at Howlin at Buttonwillow. this was when it was still called the 07 Cobra. he wouldnt tell me about the motor but said that it was "plenty powerful" and "bigger than a 4.6." he said he uses mobil 1 5w30 in most of his cars. he also said that SVT motors are not broken in from the factory. they just dump in motorcraft 5w20 and drop it in the car.

he also said that he worked onthe 00R, the terminator, and the Explorer 5.0 motor.

 

[Dragstr05]

Alot of the 4.6/5.4's take 5w20. The sticker in the engine bay of my GT says 5w30, so I'll put 5w30 in it. The MPG thing brings up a nice point though, as MOST of the newer cars I see come through the shop all take 5w20.