5w20 Safe or UnSafe

[Merkava_4]

I was looking at the Ford Taurus at Ford's website the other night and just for giggles,
I decided to check with Amsoil's product guide to see what kind of oil the Taurus takes.
Come to find out, the regular Taurus takes 5W-20 while the twin turbo Taurus takes
5w30. I guess 5W-20 is not tough enough for the 365HP twin turbo.

 

[yaris0128]

Ive been running 5w20 in my del sol spec'd for 5w30 for the last year now and its been great. No issues what so ever but since I have a large stock of 5w30 PU I wont be using it again anytime soon.

 

[bradepb]

I recently switched to 5-30 from 5-20 on my escape after 55,000 miles of using Motorcraft.

Reasoning is i dont know the history for the first 35,000 miles and it could have been abused like too few oil changes causing more wear, I simply dont know and decided to be on the safe side since i am approaching 90,000 now.
If I had bought new I would run 20 weight for a good long time.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Ive been running 5w20 in my del sol spec'd for 5w30 for the last year now and its been great. No issues what so ever but since I have a large stock of 5w30 PU I wont be using it again anytime soon.


Maybe you oughtta check your camshaft lobes like this guy did:

BITOG Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

 

[yaris0128]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Ive been running 5w20 in my del sol spec'd for 5w30 for the last year now and its been great. No issues what so ever but since I have a large stock of 5w30 PU I wont be using it again anytime soon.


Maybe you oughtta check your camshaft lobes like this guy did:

BITOG Mechanical/Maintenance Forum
I may just do that in the morning!

But with ZERO consumption and a great running engine Im sure a thinner oil is not hurting my engine. Dont get me worried now. Isnt the Mazda that was in the link a 5w20 spec engine?

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Isnt the Mazda that was in the link a 5w20 spec engine?


Yes and the guy is using 0W-20 Mobil 1 instead. We all know that Mobil 1 is the best synthetic motor oil money can buy.

You'll get extremely low wear numbers with Mobil 1; or possibly no wear at all.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Isnt the Mazda that was in the link a 5w20 spec engine?


Yes and the guy is using 0W-20 Mobil 1 instead. We all know that Mobil 1 is the best synthetic motor oil money can buy.

You'll get extremely low wear numbers with Mobil 1; or possibly no wear at all.

Because Mobil 1 causes visible metallurgy issues with hardened cam lobes right?

That's like getting cancer and blaming it on an episode of M*A*S*H you watched 20 years ago.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Which Ford is it that specs 5W50? Why doesn`t Ford recommend 5W20 for that one as well? If I`m not mistaken,it`s supercharged,right? Does said supercharger have it`s own oil reserviour,or does it run off of the engine`s motor oil?


The supercharger has its own oil reservoir.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Which Ford is it that specs 5W50? Why doesn`t Ford recommend 5W20 for that one as well? If I`m not mistaken,it`s supercharged,right? Does said supercharger have it`s own oil reserviour,or does it run off of the engine`s motor oil?


The supercharger has its own oil reservoir.


Supercharger oil change.. Sweet.
2 oil changes on the same car in one day! A BITOG dream.

 

[yaris0128]

That mazda sounds like it has a huge issue and is far deeper than an oil problem. I can't imagine 0w20 hurting it when it's a 20 spec engine.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
That mazda sounds like it has a huge issue and is far deeper than an oil problem. I can't imagine 0w20 hurting it when it's a 20 spec engine.


I agree! I had a feeling that Mazda would be brought up in a 20 grade oil thread. IMO if the cam is bad it could be a problem with metal casting of the cam, or the oil pump is not getting oil up there fast enough. That's if the cam is bad at all, and it isn't an optical illusion. JMO

 

[yaris0128]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Ive been running 5w20 in my del sol spec'd for 5w30 for the last year now and its been great. No issues what so ever but since I have a large stock of 5w30 PU I wont be using it again anytime soon.


Maybe you oughtta check your camshaft lobes like this guy did:

BITOG Mechanical/Maintenance Forum
Just went out and took a look. My cams look practically new. You can see minimal wear after 107k and Im proud to say this car is well taken care of. I feel bad for the Mazda guy but with 5w20 in my car Im feeling safe and in my climate its perfect.

 

[Spudislander]

Regarding the Mazda, my 2009 manual specs 5W20 for both the 2.0L motor and the 2.3L motor without turbo. It specs 5W30 for the motor with turbo.

 

[jim302]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Which Ford is it that specs 5W50? Why doesn`t Ford recommend 5W20 for that one as well? If I`m not mistaken,it`s supercharged,right? Does said supercharger have it`s own oil reserviour,or does it run off of the engine`s motor oil?


The new Mustang Boss 302 specs 5w50 IIRC. High speed driving and some engine designs require more protection.

It is all about selecting the right oil for your engine and driving habits. If your car specs 5w-20 and you drive in the city (or even all highway), you should be OK with that oil. Extreme conditions such as racing change everything.

 

[TallPaul]

None of my vehicles allow 20 weight. The all specify 5w30, but get 10w30. Ford even back specified the Aerostar 3.0 for 5w20 but only back through 1993, which I suspect was when the 3.0 got roller lifters. I once ran 5w20 in the Aerostar though, but it was Redline 5w20 which has the HTHS of a 10w30!

 

[crazyoildude]

Wow there are still some that think an engine on 5w20 won't last as long as with heavier oils i guess ford,Honda,Toyota,nissan,Hyundai and a lot of other engine builders including us have a lot to learn after all... We use 5w20 in all of the engines we rebuild that requires 5w20 from the factory because it works believe it or not.. There are too many warrantees riding on this 5w20 thing to think it is not good