0w30 vs. 5w30 in F-150 PB

Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Messages
1,297
Location
Pa, USA
My Ford calls for 5w30 or 0w30, but needs to meet the Ford specs. Being a PowerBoost, I was thinking of using 0w30. Any downsides to using 0w30 over 5w30?
 
My Ford calls for 5w30 or 0w30, but needs to meet the Ford specs. Being a PowerBoost, I was thinking of using 0w30. Any downsides to using 0w30 over 5w30?
What benefits do you think it will have besides needing a 0W for -30F cold starts.
 
All else being equal (i.e. the oils are the same except for the base oil viscosity and VII content), the downsides to the 0W-30 would be:
• Lower viscosity at high-temperature high-shear conditions
• Worse shear stability
• Higher volatility
• Potentially more engine deposits, depending on the type of VII used

The 0W-30 would be a bit better for fuel economy, and a bit better for the engine on cold starts. The benefit of the 0W on cold starts won't really be meaningful in your climate though. I'd stick with the 5W-30.
 
Where do you live? If the temperature doesn’t get below 0F consistently then it is probably better to use a 5w-30. Some parts of PA can get pretty cold so if you’re in the northwest 0w might be justified especially if you park outdoors. In the East, not so much but I’m no climatologist. Even in Alaska most people use 5w-30 in Ford ecoboost, not sure about the power boosts. That said, I use a 0w-30 because it can get to -20F for weeks at a time and I occasionally take road trips where it gets down to -30.
 
Try them both. Being attentive to sound, your ears may tell you which your vehicle's engine prefers.
Personally, I'm not a fan of 0w oils. Our own Korean engines find the 5/10w oils to be quieter
 
It looks like you are in PA. Some locations there do have cold winters and depending on oil choice and brand, a 0W-30 might have an bit of an advantage in cold start flow.

But as always, the Ford 3.5L engines do have cam phasers and timing chains. The secret to long life with these engines is to keep the oil clean and choose an oil with adequate viscosity. They do experience fuel dilution and combustion by-product contamination. Both of which will reduce timing chain life markedly if allowed to circulate for thousands of miles.

I'd choose quality synthetic 5W-30 that has good low temperature performance and change the oil frequently.
 
My Ford calls for 5w30 or 0w30, but needs to meet the Ford specs. Being a PowerBoost, I was thinking of using 0w30. Any downsides to using 0w30 over 5w30?

In general, the 0w30 will have a lower HTHS which will mean more wear, more efficient. It also will have a higher volatility which usually means more deposits, more affect on the emissions / converter, etc. If you acually need a 0w, then use it.

I would run a 0w30 in winter, 10w30 or 15w40 in summer depending on operating temperatures.
 
In general, the 0w30 will have a lower HTHS which will mean more wear, more efficient. It also will have a higher volatility which usually means more deposits, more affect on the emissions / converter, etc. If you acually need a 0w, then use it.

I would run a 0w30 in winter, 10w30 or 15w40 in summer depending on operating temperatures.
While in theory a 0w30 would have a lower hths, almost all 0w30 in the us are euro oils which spec a 3.5 hths minimum which exceeds that of API 5w30 in off the shelf oils
 
I’m using M1 ESP 0w30 in two Asian vehicles right now. I’d bet it would also do very well in your Ford. $27 at Wally is pretty hard to beat IMO.
 
I’m using M1 ESP 0w30 in two Asian vehicles right now. I’d bet it would also do very well in your Ford. $27 at Wally is pretty hard to beat IMO.
I use it in my 2013 Honda Civic and it runs amazingly. Unfortunately my car is in the shop because I got hit the other night
 
Try them both. Being attentive to sound, your ears may tell you which your vehicle's engine prefers.
Personally, I'm not a fan of 0w oils. Our own Korean engines find the 5/10w oils to be quieter
Have a Korean Hyundai (2023) Santa Fe Turbo, and it calls for 0W30 (non turbo is 0W20). I was wondering if I could get away with a 5W30. Reason: Pennzoil only carries 0W30 and it is marked "Euro". I swear by Pennzoil. I know Mobil1 has a 0W30. But Pennzoil Euro does not have the ILSAC GF6 in their "Euro" oil. Bottom line, do you think I could use Pennzoil 5W30 synthetic?
Live in Philly where it doesn't get below 0f. Ranges around low 30's, upper 40's in winter and the vehicle is garage kept. Any advice would be appreciated sir! B.B.
 
@lightrider Even though pennzoil euro 0w30 doesn’t carry the Ilsac GF6 it will work perfectly in your car and provide excellent protection. It does not have the spec because they’re aiming at the a different market.
 
Back
Top Bottom