Hey guys, just bought a new 5.0 F150. The engine is spec'd to run 5w20, but I do tow on occasion & drive "spirited" on occasion also. I was thinking of going with a 5w30 full synthetic like Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I'm guessing the 5w30 will be fine, since the same 5.0 engine in the Mustang track Pack is spec'd for 5w50 oil, & the regular GT Mustang is spec'd for 5w20 oil. I asked a Ford Engineer about this, & he stated there is no physical difference in the Mustang 5.0 or the F150 5.0, except for engine strategy & camshafts. He said the 5w50 for the Track Pack is spec'd because of the "abuse" that engine will see. He also told me that running a 5w30 vs a 5w20 would yield no difference in MPG to the average driver, but would add "a little" more wear protection, but at the nano level. So I'm guessing my question to you guys is, has anybody here run the 5w30 vs 5w20 in their 5.0 vehicles ? What oil besides the Pennzoil Platinum would you recommend ? Last question, my vehicle has 300 miles on it, how early do you guys drop your factory fill & go to whatever oil you're gonna run (500 miles, 1000 miles) ?
2017 F150 5.0
- Thread starter Fasttimez
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5W-30 would be fine in any situation, towing or not, 5W-20 is only because of corporate average fuel economy regulations.
People debate early factory fill oil change or not. Briggs & Stratton still says to change the oil early on a new engine, after 5 hours on commercial grade engines in year 2017. The fact is, there will be a higher concentration of metals and silicon in the factory fill oil which isn't ideal.
I wouldn't run Pennzoil Platinum unless I really stretched out the oil changes. The added cleaning ability it has over some other oils slightly compromises
wear in my opinion. An example would be Valvoline Synpower. It would probably provide stupid good low metal UOA's but not please the guys who wanna see a heavy pinch of this and that in the add pack.
I ran mostly Valvoline Synpower 5W30 in a WRX I bought new and sold with 136K on it with no engine or turbo issues. Look at the report with 4032 miles on it.
I wouldn't run Pennzoil Platinum unless I really stretched out the oil changes. The added cleaning ability it has over some other oils slightly compromises
wear in my opinion. An example would be Valvoline Synpower. It would probably provide stupid good low metal UOA's but not please the guys who wanna see a heavy pinch of this and that in the add pack.
I ran mostly Valvoline Synpower 5W30 in a WRX I bought new and sold with 136K on it with no engine or turbo issues. Look at the report with 4032 miles on it.
There really is no consensus on whether to drop the factory fill early or not.
Those are some VERY good wear metal numbers considering it's a forced induction engine.
If it were my truck I'd run 5w30 Spring-Fall. Then switch to 5w20 in the winter.
As for the factory fill, just do whatever feels good. You'll get a million different answers and it won't make much of a difference. I purchased a new car recently and changed the factory fill at 2,000 miles. Current OCI will be 5,000. Then to the spec'd 7,500.
As for the factory fill, just do whatever feels good. You'll get a million different answers and it won't make much of a difference. I purchased a new car recently and changed the factory fill at 2,000 miles. Current OCI will be 5,000. Then to the spec'd 7,500.
Yeah Pennzoil Platinum is readily available at most any store around me. These new 5.0 F150's take 8 qts of oil (which was a shock to me), so any "synthetic" oil is going to run me about $40-$60 per oil change I figure. It normally gets down to only the mid teens during the winter here, so I'm guessing the 5w30 will be fine for year round oil to run vs the 5w20. I was looking at some of the Boutique oils like AmsOil SS, Redline or Royal Purple as I can get these pretty easy also (but for a premium price), but the cost vs performance return in comparison to say Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil 1 synthetic seem little to none.
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
...I wouldn't run Pennzoil Platinum unless I really stretched out the oil changes. The added cleaning ability it has over some other oils slightly compromises
wear in my opinion...
Do you have any proof to support that statement? A link would be helpful.
...I wouldn't run Pennzoil Platinum unless I really stretched out the oil changes. The added cleaning ability it has over some other oils slightly compromises
wear in my opinion...
Do you have any proof to support that statement? A link would be helpful.
I changed the factory fill in my 2012 5.0 Mustang at 2,500 miles. After that I used either Motorcraft 5w20, Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 or Pennzoil Gold 5w30. Never had an issues with oil burning and usually changed around 7,500 miles.
My dad has an F150 with the 5.0. I was using Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 every 7,500 miles. I've been using Mobil 1 0w30 AFE for the last two changes for a 9,000 mile or so interval. I usually add a quart later in the interval just to top it off. He bought it used with 90K on the odometer and it has around 160K now.
My dad has an F150 with the 5.0. I was using Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 every 7,500 miles. I've been using Mobil 1 0w30 AFE for the last two changes for a 9,000 mile or so interval. I usually add a quart later in the interval just to top it off. He bought it used with 90K on the odometer and it has around 160K now.
What does the manual call for? Is 5W-30 allowed? If not, I would stick with 5W-20.
I would run a 5W-30 and not look back. Ford's 5.4's and cam phaser issues running 5W-20, turned me off from that grade of oil.
I am running 5W-30 in my 3.5 NA engine that calls out 5W-20 in the manual with no issues and plan to continue on with that.
I am running 5W-30 in my 3.5 NA engine that calls out 5W-20 in the manual with no issues and plan to continue on with that.
Originally Posted By: Danno
What does the manual call for? Is 5W-30 allowed? If not, I would stick with 5W-20.
The manual calls for 5w20, HOWEVER.....the exact same engine in the Mustang is spec'd to run 5w20 for "normal" operation & 5w50 for "track" operation. That's a VERY broad viscosity spectrum for an engine with ZERO internal differences, only ECU engine management strategies. The F150 runs the EXACT same engine as the Mustang, only difference is the camshafts & ECU strategies. So knowing those things, & the fact that I do tow heavy occasionally, I was wondering about using 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I was told that using the wrong viscosity of oil could damage the VVT cam phasers, but seeing as how this exact engine in another platform is spec'd to run 5w20 or 5w50, I kinda doubt that claim.
What does the manual call for? Is 5W-30 allowed? If not, I would stick with 5W-20.
The manual calls for 5w20, HOWEVER.....the exact same engine in the Mustang is spec'd to run 5w20 for "normal" operation & 5w50 for "track" operation. That's a VERY broad viscosity spectrum for an engine with ZERO internal differences, only ECU engine management strategies. The F150 runs the EXACT same engine as the Mustang, only difference is the camshafts & ECU strategies. So knowing those things, & the fact that I do tow heavy occasionally, I was wondering about using 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I was told that using the wrong viscosity of oil could damage the VVT cam phasers, but seeing as how this exact engine in another platform is spec'd to run 5w20 or 5w50, I kinda doubt that claim.
Do they still have that oil to water cooler in the filter housing?
I wouldn't have an issue running 5w-20 with it, especially if it has the cooler.
I wouldn't have an issue running 5w-20 with it, especially if it has the cooler.
Even though Ford recommends 5w-50 for tracking, I would suspect that running that grade for everyday driving could have negative effects on the VVT system. In my opinion, Ford is saying that as well. For the OP, running 5w-30 should be good to go for his usage.
Originally Posted By: Fasttimez
The manual calls for 5w20, HOWEVER.....the exact same engine in the Mustang is spec'd to run 5w20 for "normal" operation & 5w50 for "track" operation. That's a VERY broad viscosity spectrum for an engine with ZERO internal differences, only ECU engine management strategies. The F150 runs the EXACT same engine as the Mustang, only difference is the camshafts & ECU strategies. So knowing those things, & the fact that I do tow heavy occasionally, I was wondering about using 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I was told that using the wrong viscosity of oil could damage the VVT cam phasers, but seeing as how this exact engine in another platform is spec'd to run 5w20 or 5w50, I kinda doubt that claim.
Based on the research you've done I seriously dobut 5W30 is going hurt anything. If I owned it and towed with it, did the research you did, and came up with the same information, I'd run a 5W30 in it.
The manual calls for 5w20, HOWEVER.....the exact same engine in the Mustang is spec'd to run 5w20 for "normal" operation & 5w50 for "track" operation. That's a VERY broad viscosity spectrum for an engine with ZERO internal differences, only ECU engine management strategies. The F150 runs the EXACT same engine as the Mustang, only difference is the camshafts & ECU strategies. So knowing those things, & the fact that I do tow heavy occasionally, I was wondering about using 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I was told that using the wrong viscosity of oil could damage the VVT cam phasers, but seeing as how this exact engine in another platform is spec'd to run 5w20 or 5w50, I kinda doubt that claim.
Based on the research you've done I seriously dobut 5W30 is going hurt anything. If I owned it and towed with it, did the research you did, and came up with the same information, I'd run a 5W30 in it.
I own a 2013 Mustang GT 5.0 with about 22,000 miles. I debated this topic long and hard and decided to run 5w30 synthetic I use Valvoline Synpower 5w30 and I notice no difference between the 5w20 and 5w30. I say run what you feel comfortable with the motor will prob outlast the truck running either oil.
Originally Posted By: Fasttimez
Hey guys, just bought a new 5.0 F150. The engine is spec'd to run 5w20, but I do tow on occasion & drive "spirited" on occasion also. I was thinking of going with a 5w30 full synthetic like Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I'm guessing the 5w30 will be fine, since the same 5.0 engine in the Mustang track Pack is spec'd for 5w50 oil, & the regular GT Mustang is spec'd for 5w20 oil. I asked a Ford Engineer about this, & he stated there is no physical difference in the Mustang 5.0 or the F150 5.0, except for engine strategy & camshafts. He said the 5w50 for the Track Pack is spec'd because of the "abuse" that engine will see. He also told me that running a 5w30 vs a 5w20 would yield no difference in MPG to the average driver, but would add "a little" more wear protection, but at the nano level. So I'm guessing my question to you guys is, has anybody here run the 5w30 vs 5w20 in their 5.0 vehicles ? What oil besides the Pennzoil Platinum would you recommend ? Last question, my vehicle has 300 miles on it, how early do you guys drop your factory fill & go to whatever oil you're gonna run (500 miles, 1000 miles) ?
I run 10w30 in my 3.0 V6. I blame 5w-20 for the increasing oil consumption I am now seeing. I switched to 10w30 to try and reduce the consumption. I guess I'm in the thicker but not too thick is better crowd.
I would drop the factory fill after the first part of the breakin is done. Your OM should have a statement on break-in about varying speeds frequently and not cruising with light throttle for the first XXXX miles. Change it at that distance. And ride the truck pretty hard, you need to load the rings for breakin to occur properly. Just don't rag on it until it's good and warmed up, that's about 20 min for oil to reach operating temp. I'm an advocate of the mototune USA breakin method.
Hey guys, just bought a new 5.0 F150. The engine is spec'd to run 5w20, but I do tow on occasion & drive "spirited" on occasion also. I was thinking of going with a 5w30 full synthetic like Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 instead of the 5w20. I'm guessing the 5w30 will be fine, since the same 5.0 engine in the Mustang track Pack is spec'd for 5w50 oil, & the regular GT Mustang is spec'd for 5w20 oil. I asked a Ford Engineer about this, & he stated there is no physical difference in the Mustang 5.0 or the F150 5.0, except for engine strategy & camshafts. He said the 5w50 for the Track Pack is spec'd because of the "abuse" that engine will see. He also told me that running a 5w30 vs a 5w20 would yield no difference in MPG to the average driver, but would add "a little" more wear protection, but at the nano level. So I'm guessing my question to you guys is, has anybody here run the 5w30 vs 5w20 in their 5.0 vehicles ? What oil besides the Pennzoil Platinum would you recommend ? Last question, my vehicle has 300 miles on it, how early do you guys drop your factory fill & go to whatever oil you're gonna run (500 miles, 1000 miles) ?
I run 10w30 in my 3.0 V6. I blame 5w-20 for the increasing oil consumption I am now seeing. I switched to 10w30 to try and reduce the consumption. I guess I'm in the thicker but not too thick is better crowd.
I would drop the factory fill after the first part of the breakin is done. Your OM should have a statement on break-in about varying speeds frequently and not cruising with light throttle for the first XXXX miles. Change it at that distance. And ride the truck pretty hard, you need to load the rings for breakin to occur properly. Just don't rag on it until it's good and warmed up, that's about 20 min for oil to reach operating temp. I'm an advocate of the mototune USA breakin method.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Do they still have that oil to water cooler in the filter housing?
I wouldn't have an issue running 5w-20 with it, especially if it has the cooler.
No, they have an external fin type cooler now, at least mine does. But that may be because it has the tow package on the truck.
Do they still have that oil to water cooler in the filter housing?
I wouldn't have an issue running 5w-20 with it, especially if it has the cooler.
No, they have an external fin type cooler now, at least mine does. But that may be because it has the tow package on the truck.
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