2011 F150 5.0 v8 Oil

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I've been running M1 5w20 but can i run GC 0w30 if the motor is rated for 5w20? I do a lot of towing with the truck in the summer. Anyone care to recommend an oil? Thanks
 
I would recommend using what the Ford engineers recommend. If that is 5W-20, I'd stick with 5W-20. Mobil 1's 5W-20 is a fine product.
 
You definitely don't need GC for an alternative, that is a thick 30. If anything use something like Platinum, EDGE FST, M1 5w30/M1EP. A 5w30 can definitely be used but as stated above the 5w20 will be absolutely fine.

I personally would 5w30 because it will most likely shear down anyway. PP,PU and M1 EP are sure bets so you rest easier.


AGAIN, that is just my opinion and what I would do with that kind of service. Nothing wrong with 5w20.
 
I had the same concerns with my 06F150 4wd,towing in the Ariz heat.IMHO MC 5-20 oil is a good oil,the SN is even better.I feel the best thing you can do if you tow is have the tow package When I was younger,10-40 was what you used to tow.
 
I don't see any advantage to going to 5W30. If you towed 95 percent of the time and in hot weather,maybe, but the actual percentages are probably reversed if you are like most people. If you want a little thicker, pick a 5W20 at the hi end of the 20 grade viscosity range, or pick a syn that will be VERY shear resistant (not that the 5W20s shear much). Don't know much about the 5.0L and if it has similar operational characteristics to my '05 5.4L, but I found mine runs pretty cool oil temps no matter what.

All that said, I don't think you'll see any major losses running 5W30. Small loss of cold flow, small loss of fuel economy. Probably nothing you would notice day to day. Just no advantage to the heavier oil except in a few specific circumstances... which IMO you don't fall into.
 
I have towed a lot in the desert southwest heat, up and down the mountains of California and quite of bit of sand/mud off roading with my 5.4 3V and used conventional 5W-20 with 7K OCI, no worries there. I am more concerned about the ATF/Diff/transfer case fluid than motor oil.
 
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