What oil viscosity is everyone using? [If you've changed it yet, of course]

[shortbus]

Hmm, I ran Mobil 1 0w20 since they didn't have 5w20. Should I drain it and go with something thicker?

 

[mobydickdog]

I would not change it now. However, living in the San Antone area, the next oil change I would use 10W-30 for the summer months.

All that you have done by going to a 0W weight oil is make it lower the viscosity for cold weather start ups. For where you live the temperature doesn't even go so low as to even warrant using 5W-XX oil at anytime in the first place.

You can use 10W-30 all year long in your neck of the woods.

 

[StratGT]

There is plenty of information on www.bobistheoilguy.com website regarding the 5w-20 weight oil. It has proven to be very good oil in a 4.6L Ford engine. This oil combined with the Ford Motorcraft oil filter appear to be the best bargain and one of the best performing oil's for the 4.6L engine.

If anyone is worried about their oil, simply do a oil anaylsis after your 3K oil change. I did one and was surprised to see how good the Ford 5w-20 oil (made by Conoco) was conbined with the Motorcraft filter was.

What surprised me the most about the oil analyis was there was oil in my crankcase from a new (not re-oiled) K&N filter and high silicon levels (tiny dirt particles) for the K&N. I pulled it immediately and re-installed a AC Delco piper filter.

 

[mikeelia]

Hey, I use 10w-30 every 3k in my 164k 99 Escort ZX2, and it still comes out clean, so I know that going a little thicker doesn't hurt anything there. I was simply curious what people are using.

I'd love to hear from someone who is actually racing the car regularly. Hopefully as rebuilds start happening due to racing failures and the need for lots more power [other than bolt-on stuff] we will hear some real-life experiences using 5w-20 and others.

Thanks all.

Mike Elia

 

[crash]

It's cool Crash.. I just think people should read more on such things. I also think it's wrong of Ford to threaten, and sometimes even follow through with denying people warranty work based on our topic. I run full synthetic oils in all my junk, so that it remains running junk for as long as possible. In my junk that turns high RPM most of the time, (01 GT and my supercharged Seadoo waverunner.) I like to use a little heavier weight oil to get better protection. It's all in what your used to and what people say. And it's tough to change people's minds about things like this. I do however think Ford is doing folks a dis-service by putting a light weight, medium duty oil in high reving engines such as the 4.6 V8.

Hehe... I would say that is some HIGH END junk... Obviously it is all staying together!

I think common sense goes a LONG way. The one thing I did on my 5.0s was run 20W50, and this is a case where I would say NO WAY... The pushrod engines could tolerate and use the higher viscosity and top end lube was less critical than MOD MOTORS.

I normally try to stay out of this debate because on other forums, it has been beaten to death. I simply called the Ford Technical center and talked it over with them, so I follow their recommendations. Synthetic IS supported and sold by Ford. 0W20 is fine but probably for Winter or Northern apps.

Now, there are great points here, and I think they should all be considered. I simply suggest 5w20, and 5W30 for SEVERE duty like South Texas Summers... Although my Turbocharged F-150 towing a boat in Austin and Houston was just fine on 5w20, and was Procharged at 2000 miles and turbo'd at 35-60,000, with no issues. Used synthetic, but never went to a 10 weight oil, then again, I had to ensure a T-67 and the billet cams got lube quickly.

Please don't take me wrong... The TECH has alot of pull in what happens in heavy line work (Then the dealer supports his findings), and as long as you change your oil (And it will flow out when the drain plug is removed), you WILL be OK. Aftermarket warranties tend to be more picky; at times photographing prior to repair approval. Not an issue on these newer cars.