2001 Ford Taurus calls for 5w20 but i put 5w30

[Jackson_Slugger]

My father's Taurus with a Vulcan has had 5W-30 Mobil HM in it for over a year now (he doesn't drive much), it's fine. As previously stated these engines predated the use of 5W-20. I'd prefer 5W-20 better overall on a newer lower miles model but either is fine and of course if your using oil 5W-30 is the natural progression...

 

[ka9mnx]

I use 10w40 in Ford 4 cylinders of the same era that specs 5w20. One of them has about 210K miles. I'm also using 10w40 in my '16 Nissan Versa that specs 5w30. I had 518K miles on an '88 Ford Escort when I retired it, It spec'd 5w30 I used 10w40 in it with no problems. I started using 10w40 when I bought my first car in the 1970's, it has never caused any issues and my engines last well. I don't see any reason to change what isn't broken.

I think it's your maintenance practices and not oil selection that has gotten you to those mileages.

 

[FordMan59]

I think it's your maintenance practices and not oil selection that has gotten you to those mileages.

I'm sure that's true to some degree because I've used everything from store brand oil to major brands and the same with filters. I've never been extremely hard on a vehicle although years ago when I drove on longer trips it wasn't uncommon to set the c/c at 85-90 as long as traffic conditions would allow. Age, body aches and pains have taken their toll on my body now and I seldom drive over 55 MPH even on highway trips. I have chronic back pain and I've found that if I drive slower I stay more relaxed and my pain is better controlled on those long drives. Before I injured my back I lived in NC and drove from NC-KY (500+ miles) several times a year to visit my parents and usually drove 70-90 MPH whatever conditions allowed. After my back injury I started setting the c/c at 55 most of the time. With c/c set a 55 I seldom had to cut it off because of catching up with slower traffic unlike when I drove much faster and had to turn it off and reset, often every few miles. Over a 500 mile trip slowing down to 55 increased my travel time by about 1 hour but my pain level was much lower.. I live in KY now and lots of the roads I drive are secondary country roads with high deer population so on those roads I usually only drive 40-45 MPH.

 

[ka9mnx]

I hear all that bro. Age and, yes, back pain, and common sense, eventually slow us down!

 

[Jackson_Slugger]

I use 10w40 in Ford 4 cylinders of the same era that specs 5w20. One of them has about 210K miles. I'm also using 10w40 in my '16 Nissan Versa that specs 5w30. I had 518K miles on an '88 Ford Escort when I retired it, It spec'd 5w30 I used 10w40 in it with no problems. I started using 10w40 when I bought my first car in the 1970's, it has never caused any issues and my engines last well. I don't see any reason to change what isn't broken.

I still have a Mercury Sable wagon with the Duratec with 235,800 or so miles on it that mostly used Motorcraft or Gulf 5W-20 syn blends...

 

[Wolf359]

With c/c set a 55 I seldom had to cut it off because of catching up with slower traffic unlike when I drove much faster and had to turn it off and reset, often every few miles.

You just need to get a car with adaptive cruise control. Then you can set it to 80 and it will speed up or slow down as traffic demands.

 

[FordMan59]

You just need to get a car with adaptive cruise control. Then you can set it to 80 and it will speed up or slow down as traffic demands.

I don't make many long trips anymore. About as far as I usually drive in one setting now is around 200 miles and don't do that often.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

The engine in my truck was made 1996-2008. From 1996-2000 it was spec'd 5W30. From late 2000-2008 Ford changed the spec'd oil to 5W20 for CAFE reasons, and back spec'd 5W20 for earlier made engines. The clearances and tolerances had never changed in all the years this engine was made.
I have used 5W30 in my engine for about 99% of the time since new.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I use 10w40 in Ford 4 cylinders of the same era that specs 5w20. One of them has about 210K miles. I'm also using 10w40 in my '16 Nissan Versa that specs 5w30. I had 518K miles on an '88 Ford Escort when I retired it, It spec'd 5w30 I used 10w40 in it with no problems. I started using 10w40 when I bought my first car in the 1970's, it has never caused any issues and my engines last well. I don't see any reason to change what isn't broken.

There was a poster here years ago that used M1 15W-50 in everything.

 

[ka9mnx]

The engine in my truck was made 1996-2008. From 1996-2000 it was spec'd 5W30. From late 2000-2008 Ford changed the spec'd oil to 5W20 for CAFE reasons, and back spec'd 5W20 for earlier made engines. The clearances and tolerances had never changed in all the years this engine was made.
I have used 5W30 in my engine for about 99% of the time since new.

I had a 300ci (4.9L) in my '58 Ford wagon. I have a 300ci in my '93 F150. Originally spec'd for 10w-30 and changed to 5w-30 in '96. In '99 it was back spec'd to 5w-20 and that is what I've used since my ownership (18 years/100k miles)