5w-20 in a '99 24V DOHC Taurus

[Parrothd34]

What a great web site you have here. This being my first post, I have a question.
I have a 1999 Taurus 24V DOHC that has seen nothing but Mobil 1 5w30 since 16000 miles. I live in the Chicago area.
Oil gets changed every 6 months with around 5000 miles on the oil.(FL 820S filter)
Has anyone read that Ford okayed the 5w-20 oil for this engine. I would only use it in the winter.
When it gets around 0 outside the engine starts on the first try but it sounds like it doesn't want to. Sounds a bit sluggish.
Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

Going to a 5W-20 will not solve your problem.

At zero degrees, a 5W-20 and 5w30 will have roughly the same viscosity.

And, frankly, neither of those grades should be giving you problems at 0F if your engine, starter, battery, etc. are all in good working order.

Still, if you think it's the oil, try a 0W-30.

 

[Gary Allan]

This TSB lists dozens of engines and vehicles specifically that are approved for use with the new oil. The 1996-2001 Taurus is listed, but if you go into the TSB where they list the specific MOTORS approved for use, the SHO 3.4L V8 is NOT mentioned. The Taurus 3.0L 4V and Vulcan engines are approved for use with the new oil, but the 3.4 V8 is conspicuous in its shoclub