I went with Mobil 1 5w-20 this time instead of 5w-30. Thoughts?

[wanta5.0]

I know the cars say to use 5w-20 but many people here say to use 5w-30 so I used it last time. I have heard a few people on here say that with 5w-30 you get some ticking in the first few seconds(2-3) after cranking it due to it being thicker. I have noticed that with mine while using 5w-30, so tonight I bought 5w-20 and I will see what it does. I will report back with my findings.

They didn't have 0w-20 or I would have got it. It cost me $33 for six quarts of Mobil 1 5w-20. They didn't have 5w-20 in the 5 quart jug so I got owned.


Thoughts on Mobil 1 5w-20 vs. 5w-30 vs. 0w-20?

 

[sgarlic]

If you have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge, as long as you have adequate pressure at hot idle with the 5w20, you're fine. I'm doubting, since you have an '03, that you have high mileage, so your bearing tolerances, etc, should still be fine, and you should be able to run 5w20 just fine.

I don't really see a reason to run 0w vs 5w.. they're pretty damn close if not the same when you pour them at room temperature. I highly doubt it makes that big of a difference at startup.

The 20 in 5w20 and 30 in 5w30 refers to the viscosity of the oil at operating temperature, so it doesn't affect startup (i.e. you shouldn't have ticking at startup with one or the other, unless the motor is hot.)

 

[wanta5.0]

If you have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge, as long as you have adequate pressure at hot idle with the 5w20, you're fine. I'm doubting, since you have an '03, that you have high mileage, so your bearing tolerances, etc, should still be fine, and you should be able to run 5w20 just fine.

I don't really see a reason to run 0w vs 5w.. they're pretty damn close if not the same when you pour them at room temperature. I highly doubt it makes that big of a difference at startup.

The 20 in 5w20 and 30 in 5w30 refers to the viscosity of the oil at operating temperature, so it doesn't affect startup (i.e. you shouldn't have ticking at startup with one or the other, unless the motor is hot.)

I thought the 30 was thicker at normal outside temps????

 

[sgarlic]

The first number is the viscosity cold (normal, outside temps,) the second number is at operating temp.

 

[wanta5.0]

????

 

[YardSpecial]

5w-30 is fine for the engines, me now care what Ford says.........

5w-20 is for MPG anyways, the only reason.

Sittin 105 degree freeway traffic, 20 weight is to thin for me.

 

[40th GT]

????

What sgarlic is trying to say is that the oil will have a viscosity of 5# when the engine is cold and will rise to 30# as it reaches operating temp. This example of course, is for a 5w-30 oil.

Running 5w20 over 5w30 or vice versa isn't going to make or break the engine. Just keep in mind that Ford has recommended 5w-30 when the 4.6Ls were first introduced in 1991, and have done so until 2001 when they changed to the 5-20. And they only made the change strictly for CAFE reasons.

I use 5w-20 because it's the thinnest oil I can use without drastic oil pressure changes on a hot engine.

 

[todd4566]

5w-30 is fine for the engines, me now care what Ford says.........

5w-20 is for MPG anyways, the only reason.

Sittin 105 degree freeway traffic, 20 weight is to thin for me.

Over on the Mach 1 Registry, I was reading that the 32v tolerances are very thin and hence requires 5w-20. I had 5w-30 in the garage, and returned it for 5w-20 after reading that. I always ran 5w-30 in the Gt though, and never had an issue.

They didn't have 0w-20 or I would have got it. It cost me $33 for six quarts of Mobil 1 5w-20. They didn't have 5w-20 in the 5 quart jug so I got owned.

I got owned with ya. Sux I can't find 5w-20 Mobil 1 in the jug.

 

[03ghoststang]

yeah thats true after 2001 they changed it to 5w-20 thats what i run in my GT but either one is good

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

What sgarlic is trying to say is that the oil will have a viscosity of 5# when the engine is cold and will rise to 30# as it reaches operating temp. This example of course, is for a 5w-30 oil.

Running 5w20 over 5w30 or vice versa isn't going to make or break the engine. Just keep in mind that Ford has recommended 5w-30 when the 4.6Ls were first introduced in 1991, and have done so until 2001 when they changed to the 5-20. And they only made the change strictly for CAFE reasons.

I use 5w-20 because it's the thinnest oil I can use without drastic oil pressure changes on a hot engine.

Incorrect.

Ford has been using 5W20 in the 4.6 since around '92. in both the 2v and 4v versions.

Unless the engine is high-mileage, used for extreme duty use, or in hot ambient temperatures for periods of time, I would use the factory recommend 5W20.



EDIT: The first part of the statement I quoted is CORRECT, the oil weights he was describing are correct.

 

[YardSpecial]

The way these POS burn oil, leak past the valve seals. I will stick with 5w-30.

A hand built 4.6 DOHC should not burn oil or smoke, ping with over 12K miles.

Total POS !!

I have four 4.6 pingers maintianed perfectly.

Ford needs to step up with quality...........

Sorry just not impressed by the quality of the 4.6 engine.

My 89 302 had way over 200K and still droped good numbers and no leaks, pings or smoke.

 

[Silvr04GT]

Incorrect.

Ford has been using 5W20 in the 4.6 since around '92. in both the 2v and 4v versions.

Unless the engine is high-mileage, used for extreme duty use, or in hot ambient temperatures for periods of time, I would use the factory recommend 5W20.



EDIT: The first part of the statement I quoted is CORRECT, the oil weights he was describing are correct.

No you're incorrect. At least for Mustang 4.6s, in 01 they changed the recommended oil from 30 to 20. Personally I use 5w-30 in my car. Better protection and I don't really care in the gas mileage is gonna change, the change wouldn't be big enough to notice.

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

No you're incorrect. At least for Mustang 4.6s, in 01 they changed the recommended oil from 30 to 20. Personally I use 5w-30 in my car. Better protection and I don't really care in the gas mileage is gonna change, the change wouldn't be big enough to notice.

oops, i forgot about good 'ole TSB #02-01-09, which states the introduction of 5W20 as regular service oil for the older engines, and as you stated, back to '91 in the town car 4.6's.

Maybe i'll get ya next time.