• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

help decide engine oil

  • Thread starter Thread starter fivespeedsteed
  • Start date Start date Jan 4, 2007

fivespeedsteed

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 17, 2003
748
22
69
Richmond, VA
Jan 4, 2007
#1
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #1
ive been running motorcraft 10w30 since i got the car. is that a standard oil? it gets nasty looking real fast. like 1000 miles its pretty black looking. what should i change to? is 10w30 fine? people tell me becasue of my few engine leaks i should keep my oil consistant, so i guess it cant be any thinner?

what do you suggest. its cold here in va. keep that in mind.
 
M

mercurycapri

Member
May 30, 2006
211
2
18
washington
Jan 4, 2007
#2
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #2
cv

I have good luck with Super tech oil that you can get at Walmart. Since my car has allot of miles I use there universal 15-40 oil and engine sounds smooth no lifte noise and didn't loose any power. I change my oil at 4000 miles and the oil is just starting to get dark and I like there oil filters too. ST 8
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Jan 4, 2007
#3
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #3
10w30 is fine as long as you're seeing good oil pressure at hot idle...as for color, as long as your meeting the 3000 or less change intervals and using a quality filter I wouldn't worry about the oil appearing dirty. Some guys like to do engine flushes or Seafoam to clean out a miled engine but I never have. Another option is to change the oil a few times in short intervals with cheap oil to in a sense flush the system a bit.
 

onefstsnake

New Member
Nov 25, 2005
792
1
0
Northern VA
Jan 4, 2007
#4
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #4
from what Ive heard the color of oil doesnt have anything to do with it being dirty...

Ive been using Castrol GTX 10w30 w/ a bottle of Lucas Oil Stabilizer and a FL-1A Filter.

If you dont have any leaks and its not burning oil why change?

You could go synthetic and squeeze some more power out. But I dont think its worth the $$.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jan 4, 2007
#5
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #5
Your Mocr 10W-30 should be a synthetic blend - it is an excellent oil for the money.

I'm in full agreement with Onefast - oil that is darker means the oil is doing what it should be - suspending particulate. Some motors just tend to turn oil black faster than others.

One really wants to use the least viscous (thinnest) oil that maintains decent pressure at all times (normally hot idle is the time when pressure drops lowest). Now if there are blowby or leak concerns, you can run thicker oil, but I'd rather have a leak and use the most appropriate weight of oil (rather than running molasses and having no leaks).

If you have good pressure and can live with the other stuff, I'd leave the existing oil in there if it works for you (considering it might get a little cold in Va this time of year, I'm not sure I'd want to step-up the viscosity).
Please note that this is coming from a guy who regularily runs 20W-50 (I'm not a huge fan of thin oils unless they are appropriate, especially since I live a quarter mile from the sun).

Random thoughts. Good luck.
 
B

bcmbcmbcm

20+ Year Stangneter
Jan 29, 2003
455
0
16
Jan 4, 2007
#6
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #6
Would there be any downside for running 5 40? Wouldnt I get a better viscosity range out of it?

Mobil one engineered a 0W40 a few years back...wouldn't that oil be absolutely superior?
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Jan 4, 2007
#7
  • Jan 4, 2007
  • #7
Not sure on the 5w oils ...they seem to be the ford spec these days for the 4.6, I know my little girl sees only 10w30 dyno oil (GTX) and a K&N filter...IMO a tried and true combo to hopefully keep her happy for many many yrs to come.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Engine Another no start after washing engine bay
  • bruno
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
482
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
AeroCoupe
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
583
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Help Identifying Engine Harness Plug
  • FoxbodyRob
  • Feb 7, 2026
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
3
Views
163
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Feb 7, 2026
FoxbodyRob
Engine What engine oil are you running in your foxbody?
  • Mindseye007
  • Dec 9, 2023
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3 4
Replies
63
Views
16K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 5, 2024
limp
V
Engine Antifreeze in oil
  • vinzo
  • Oct 9, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
5
Views
444
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 10, 2024
vinzo
V
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?