Terminator Oil

alfman9 said:

I am going to drop the oil for a second time this weekend and was wondering what oil I should put in it. I am pretty sure I am going to go with Mobil 1 SuperSyn, but was wondering what weight to use? Stock seems fine to me at 5w30, but it seems like lots are using 10w30. Why? do you think you need the extra protection? My car is a dailly driver so maybe I will go heavier. What would ford say about the warranty if something malfunctions, though?
Just would appreciate any info/comments before I do something stupid.

Click to expand...

Mobil 1 5w-30
Motocraft FL-820S Filter

Use these two for the rest of the car's existence.

5w-30 is fine.

The only difference between 5w and 10w-30 is that the 5w will flow "faster" (or pour better) at low temperature compared to the 10w-30. Once both oils (5w and 10w) reach operating temp, they will both function almost identically.

BTW - There's really no need to use a heavier weight oil (such as 40 or 50 weight) unless your current oil is deteriorating, which may happen during harsh endurance events such as opentracking / roadracing.

alfman9 said:

My mistake. I meant 5w20 vs 5w30.

Click to expand...

In my opinion and those of a more than a few tribologists (oil experts), the 5W20 oil is too thin for our hot running cars. Ford only recommends the 5W20 as a means of increasing their overall C.A.F.E. rating. Think about it, the internal tolerances of the Cobra motor in the previous production model Cobras are no different than the 03/04 motors. Why did Ford suddenly decide to recommend 5W20 when they were previously recommending 5W30? The answer is C.A.F.E. and gas mileage averages. 5W20 is thinner than 5W30, so the engine will actually get a little bit better gas mileage overall. Spread this across the whole fleet of Ford cars and you end up with a better overall C.A.F.E. rating.

Ford can not void your warranty for using a 5W30 or a 10W30 weight oil vs the 5W20 because those weight oils still meet or exceed the specifications set forth for engine lubrication. Don't let the service manager try to tell you any different!

Personally I use 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 during the summer. As far as brands... I only use Mobil 1 synthetic oil and Mobil 1 synthetic oil filters (M1-210). Although there is nothing wrong with the stock Motorcraft FL-820 filter, the Mobil 1 filter was rated better. Be prepared for sticker shock though.... Mobil 1 filters go for over $10 each at the local parts store!

U.M.

Just use the synthetic and be done with it. I have used Mobil 1 since I bought my '99 and continue to use it to this day. Twice I used other synthetics in my '03 because of availability. I like sticking with what works, though, and I use the Mobil 1.

Use what you want, but I stick to the manufacturers recommendations. That is your call.