The time for my semi-annual OC came up so I stopped at the oil racks at Walmart last week. My '98 F150 specs 5W30 oil. Being in a hurry, I grabbed a 5 qt jug plus 1 qt of Pennzoil YB. Today when I got ready to refill I noticed that I had grapped a jug of 5W20. Since it was not convenient to go back to WM and exchange, I used the 5W20. The lighter wt oil is not really needed here since the coldest we get is single digits occasionally but mostly 20-40 degrees.
Too late for any advice about what I should do since it is already in the truck. Does anyone see any problem leaving it there until spring?
John
W.TN
5W20 vs 5W30
- Thread starter Alamogunr
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What motor do you have? Most Ford engines were back-spec'd to 5w-20.
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Im pretty sure ford Back spec'd 5w-20 to be used in your engine. Ill try to find the bulletin I know my engine was ok'd to use 5w-20 And im sure yours is too. So you could have put all 20 wt in her. I wouldnt worry about the one bottle. I bet it would not even notice. Ill post the bulletin if i can find it. It had tons of cars and trucks on it.
thats not the 300 straight six is it?
I have the 4.6 L V8. Actually the 5 qt jug was the 5W20. The one qt bottle was 5W30.
Thanks for the reference Klutch9. I wasn't overly concerned since I don't work this vehicle hard. Mostly town driving and about once a week I drive about 50-60 mi round trip just to get some highway miles on it. Occasionally, a trip of 300+ miles just makes sure that moisture doesn't build up.
I'm more careful about the filter. I use only NAPA Gold filters.
I should add that the mileage for this OCI was just under 3600 miles in almost 8 months. Total miles on the truck is only 87K.
John
W.TN
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Because of the S/B noted by Klutch9 and abycat I've been using 5W20 since March of 2009 and running 6 month OCIs on it with no ill effects that I'm aware of. I put less than 5K miles a year on the truck these days so 6 month OCIs are, I think, pretty easy on oil and truck.
I've run Motorcraft 5W20 Syn Blend and 5W20 PYB so far, though last March I used 5W30 PYB. Last change a few weeks ago was 6qts of 5W20 PYB and a Motorcraft FL820s. I have several jugs of 5W30 Synpower to use, (O'Reilly sale/Valvoline rebate!), so starting next year it will be back to 5W30!
Truck specs in my sig.
Not that it makes any difference, but I have the same engine as bornconfuzed except my truck is a short wheel base, regular cab.
Looking to find a used 4 door in the next couple of years. If you hadn't figured it out by now, I'm retired. I don't have pressing needs in the transportation department.
John
W.TN
Originally Posted By: Alamogunr
I have the 4.6 L V8. Actually the 5 qt jug was the 5W20. The one qt bottle was 5W30.
Thanks for the reference Klutch9. I wasn't overly concerned since I don't work this vehicle hard. Mostly town driving and about once a week I drive about 50-60 mi round trip just to get some highway miles on it. Occasionally, a trip of 300+ miles just makes sure that moisture doesn't build up.
I'm more careful about the filter. I use only NAPA Gold filters.
I should add that the mileage for this OCI was just under 3600 miles in almost 8 months. Total miles on the truck is only 87K.
John
W.TN
Originally Posted By: Alamogunr
Not that it makes any difference, but I have the same engine as bornconfuzed except my truck is a short wheel base, regular cab.
Looking to find a used 4 door in the next couple of years. If you hadn't figured it out by now, I'm retired. I don't have pressing needs in the transportation department.
John
W.TN
If it is really bothering you, throw in a bottle of STP blue.
Originally Posted By: Klutch9
I see no reason for you not to use a 20 grade oil from here on out. It'll come up to temp quicker, which will help further mitigate moisture in the crank case. Of course, a 30 grade will also work well. Use whatever lets you sleep easier at night.
Well! This generated more interest than I expected. I was just curious what the experts here thought about going with a lighter oil. I did not know about the back spec'ing to 5W20. Either way, I don't think my sleep would have been affected. As it is, I will give this OCI the full 6 months unless I get busy and forget. I won't go 5K mi since that would be 8-10 months.
Thanks for all the insight.
John
W.TN
If you notice your engine running noisier, you'll know why.
Every time I have had my oil changed in my F250 with a 460 Cid V-8 the Ford Dealership put 10/30w semi synthetic in it. Every time as long as I can remember. I have been going there to get it done since I got screwed at a local service station.
I have had my wife's van run the same oil, as well. I want to change the oil in my Motor Home it's a 2005 it has a V-10 in it. Every time I have had the oil changed the dealer has used 5/20w semi synthetic oil.
I don't think it will hurt it to change to 10/30w as long as I stay with semi synthetic? Any thoughts about changing from 5/20 to 10/30 semi synthetic oil. It must be good oil or Ford wouldn't put their name on it. Does any one know who makes it for Ford Motor Company ? I have over 189,000 on my F-250 and all of those miles I have used the Motorcraft oil and filters in it since 98,000 miles and I don't burn any oil. My wife's van runs the same oil.
I want to do this myself rather than pay the dealer $150.00 
when I can do it my self for less than half of that cost.
when I can do it my self for less than half of that cost.
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Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
If you notice your engine running noisier, you'll know why.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
If you notice your engine running noisier, you'll know why.
Originally Posted By: w6pea
Every time I have had my oil changed in my F250 with a 460 Cid V-8 the Ford Dealership put 10/30w semi synthetic in it. Every time as long as I can remember. I have been going there to get it done since I got screwed at a local service station.
I have had my wife's van run the same oil, as well. I want to change the oil in my Motor Home it's a 2005 it has a V-10 in it. Every time I have had the oil changed the dealer has used 5/20w semi synthetic oil.
I don't think it will hurt it to change to 10/30w as long as I stay with semi synthetic? Any thoughts about changing from 5/20 to 10/30 semi synthetic oil. It must be good oil or Ford wouldn't put their name on it. Does any one know who makes it for Ford Motor Company ? I have over 189,000 on my F-250 and all of those miles I have used the Motorcraft oil and filters in it since 98,000 miles and I don't burn any oil. My wife's van runs the same oil.
I want to do this myself rather than pay the dealer $150.00 when I can do it my self for less than half of that cost.
when I can do it my self for less than half of that cost. Originally Posted By: TFB1
So how does a 20W enhance warmup when virtually everyone here on BITOG claims a engine will run hotter with a thicker oil...
Thanks....being as I go to the desert a lot in the RV I guess I will use the 10/30w. I have a supply of that, A case. 
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