Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Perhaps I am coming into the fray a bit late, but here is my $0.02:
My experience is the xW-20 fears are WAY overblown. I have used 5W-20 just as Ford specified in my FX4 since birth. It has seen heat in excess of 110F pulling a full load in NV, MT, and WY and the wear metals have only nudged a little higher (from 8/9 PPM to 11/13 PPM) than unloaded in normal temperatures. I have a VCT engine (which is similar in operation to your VVT) and after 80K miles, all is operating normally with no problems and I expect the same will apply at 160K and beyond.
Do I think the wear metals would have been lower than what I have experienced if I used xW-30? Doubtful, my guess is it would be the same or perhaps a bit higher. As callous as this may sound (/flame suit on), there are too many arm chair oil experts that constantly attempt to second guess the highly educated/experienced engineers that design the engines and the oils they are specified to use--and to what end?
Seriously! I have said this before--How many dead engines are on the side of the road due to use of xW-20? How many miles does an engine running xW-20 have to last to be proven? Twice as long as an engine running thicker oil? Three times? (/flame suit off)
OP - I would run xW-20 in your vehicle with no worries--hot, cold, moderate temperatures, it matters not. If the engine was specified to use xW-20, then use it without worry. I doubt you will pass any dead ones on the way due to the use of xW-20...
Thank you!!!!! I've been saying this for a long time, but usually get strongly flamed by self proclaimed internet "experts".
I always find it amusing that people will trust a car manufacturer to design the suspension, brakes and safety equipment and the rest of the car - but think the manufacturers don't know diddly squat about which oil or how long of an OCI to run in said vehicles.
BTW - before Frank or anyone else brings up the multi-page Honda engine thread, I want to point out that NO ONE knows for sure what caused that problem save for maybe HONDA and they sure aren't talking. Everyone else is only guessing that the OLM was wrong or the wrong oil was used or it was a "bad design".
Also FWIW (admittedly not much) my Mercury has seen 5W-20 for most of it's life. I've traveled through the deserts of California and Arizona many times. There is a very long and steep pass east of Indio on Interstate 10 that I often drive at about 80 MPH or so - sometimes with outside temperature of 115 degrees. My engine hasn't self destructed and recently passed a Ca smog test with flying colors!
Perhaps I am coming into the fray a bit late, but here is my $0.02:
My experience is the xW-20 fears are WAY overblown. I have used 5W-20 just as Ford specified in my FX4 since birth. It has seen heat in excess of 110F pulling a full load in NV, MT, and WY and the wear metals have only nudged a little higher (from 8/9 PPM to 11/13 PPM) than unloaded in normal temperatures. I have a VCT engine (which is similar in operation to your VVT) and after 80K miles, all is operating normally with no problems and I expect the same will apply at 160K and beyond.
Do I think the wear metals would have been lower than what I have experienced if I used xW-30? Doubtful, my guess is it would be the same or perhaps a bit higher. As callous as this may sound (/flame suit on), there are too many arm chair oil experts that constantly attempt to second guess the highly educated/experienced engineers that design the engines and the oils they are specified to use--and to what end?
Seriously! I have said this before--How many dead engines are on the side of the road due to use of xW-20? How many miles does an engine running xW-20 have to last to be proven? Twice as long as an engine running thicker oil? Three times? (/flame suit off)
OP - I would run xW-20 in your vehicle with no worries--hot, cold, moderate temperatures, it matters not. If the engine was specified to use xW-20, then use it without worry. I doubt you will pass any dead ones on the way due to the use of xW-20...
Thank you!!!!! I've been saying this for a long time, but usually get strongly flamed by self proclaimed internet "experts".
I always find it amusing that people will trust a car manufacturer to design the suspension, brakes and safety equipment and the rest of the car - but think the manufacturers don't know diddly squat about which oil or how long of an OCI to run in said vehicles.
BTW - before Frank or anyone else brings up the multi-page Honda engine thread, I want to point out that NO ONE knows for sure what caused that problem save for maybe HONDA and they sure aren't talking. Everyone else is only guessing that the OLM was wrong or the wrong oil was used or it was a "bad design".
Also FWIW (admittedly not much) my Mercury has seen 5W-20 for most of it's life. I've traveled through the deserts of California and Arizona many times. There is a very long and steep pass east of Indio on Interstate 10 that I often drive at about 80 MPH or so - sometimes with outside temperature of 115 degrees. My engine hasn't self destructed and recently passed a Ca smog test with flying colors!
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