I have faithfully been using 5-20 MC blend in my 06 F150 3V
for 5 years and changed oil every 5,000 mi. The truck is used only 6,000 mi a year,2000 of which it tows a 4,000 lb,19 ft trailer.I have always been concerned the 5-20 was to light for the hot summers.Now that its out of warranty,I would like to go to 5-30 full syn and change once a year.I have thought about blending 5qts 5-20 blend with 2 quarts PP 5-30 blend to increase amount of syn and make the 5-20 thicker. I plan on keeping the truck 4 or5 more yrs.Yes,I'm retired and have to much time on my hands.
Thanx
5-20,5-30 or blend
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With those miles I dont see a big advantage of going to full syn. Id stick with the MC blend and change once a year if only 6k. The recent msds for motorcraft shows the SN is 60% synthetic. 5w-30 might hold up a bit better due to the hot conditions and towing but I doubt your 5.4L would know the difference.
I don't like mixing across brands, as a general rule. And if you want to go to a 30-weight, just do it and don't take half-steps by mixing 2 quarts 30 with 5 quarts 20. 20-weight viscosities all cluster in the upper third of the range anyway, and most 30-weights are in the lower half of their range.
Is there a 5w30 MC blend that you can buy off the shelf? The MC blend is well-liked on this board. Or 5w30 full synthetics made by Conoco-Phillips will have about the same additive package as the MC oils.
There are UOAs that show higher wear numbers on those V8 Ford trucks when xw-20 is used. Since you're in Arizona, I would stick with a 10w-30 (PP or Motorcraft should fit the bill) and not look back.
Go all 5-30 or 10-30. Synthetic or otherwise probably won't matter. Since it's 4 dollars once a year and you're towing in AZ synthetic would be the choice for me.
You get another vote to go ahead and just change to 5w30. Don't mess with mixing them. You can mix oils and I do myself sometimes, in this case a 5w30 (syn or not) would be fine to switch over to. I would go with PP, PU, or M1. PU would be a good start though to clean a little extra if it needs it.
Sticking with the MC 5w20 sure won't cause any problems.
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Originally Posted By: semaj281
There are UOAs that show higher wear numbers on those V8 Ford trucks when xw-20 is used.
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Really? I have not seen any higher wear numbers in my UOAs using 5w-20 and I pull some heavy loads while running it.
Here are 6 of mine:
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I'm for creating your own 'Blend'.....and am thinking about doing it myself when my vehicle reaches 130K or so.
Since PYB might be considered on of the better conventionals....and PP is a highly touted synthetic (by many here on BITOG).....I would use these two in a blend.
A good Blend... IMO might be.... 4 quarts of of PYB....and 3 quarts of PP.....should make a real stout Blend.... and you would be mixing oils of the same company (SOPUS).
IMO...5w30 would be OK....and a 6K +/- or 1 year OCI.
You didn't mentioned the filter you use. I would suggest a Purolator PureOne or Bosch Preminum....which would be perfect for the above 6k OCI.
Originally Posted By: semaj281
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Really? I have not seen any higher wear numbers in my UOAs using 5w-20 and I pull some heavy loads while running it.
Here are 6 of mine:
Thanks for the replys.You have convinced me.One more oil change in my driveway to use up my oil I have on hand.5 qt 5-20 and 2 qt PP 5-30 syn. and my last MC 820s filter.Next year its to the dealer for oil change and antifreeze change.At only 40,000 mi or so,but going on 7 yrs, should I have the trans fluid changed?
Thanx again
It's not likely necessary to thicken up the 20wt oil you're running, but I also don't have a problem with the blend you're suggesting which will give you a mid-grade 5W-20.
Or why not just switch to a mid-grade 20wt like M1 0W-20 (HTHSV 2.7cP) which meets the Corvette 4718M spec' or the even heavier M1 5W-20 (HTHSV 2.75cP).
Originally Posted By: Brent_G
And this proves what? Those are specific engines. UOA's dont show wear, they establish trends for extending oci. Unless you have teardown specs of engines we do not know that xxw20 causes more wear on a ford v8.
5w20 lets the engine run a little cooler
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Originally Posted By: semaj281
I could spend some time searching and come up with at least 3 more that show the same trend, just as I could dig up xw-20 UOAs that show lower wear numbers. This is just my observation.
The 5W-30 will cause you to have massive amounts of cold start-up wear; especially
during the summer. You better stick with 5W-20 for the quick flow at start-up.
Originally Posted By: RWDIII
Now that its out of warranty,I would like to go to 5-30 full syn and change once a year.I have thought about blending 5qts 5-20 blend with 2 quarts PP 5-30 blend to increase amount of syn and make the 5-20 thicker. I plan on keeping the truck 4 or5 more yrs.Yes,I'm retired and have to much time on my hands.
Thanx
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