Alternative oil for the tropics

[Scottie365]

Hi so I have come across this site in the exhaustive search looking for answers and hopefully guidance.
A little background - I am originally from the UK and own a UK spec 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0L 213PS Biturbo Diesel Auto with DPF and wet belt with 12k on the clock.
I have relocated to the Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago) on an electrical contract and decided to take my vehicle with me. I have always serviced with Ford and gave her a full service before plonking into the container. After 7 months of being here my engine light has flashed up and after a Forscan check I was greeted with code P253F - Engine oil deteriorated.
Now my issue is that my manual recommends Castrol Magnatec WSS-M2C950-A 0w30 . (also says if unable to obtain then a 0w30 defined by ACEA C2 is acceptable). You cannot get 0w30 here whatsoever regardless of brand.
The Ford dealer here use Valvoline 5w30 and tell me that it is fine to use but I am not convinced as this is the Caribbean where it is common practice to lick your fingers and touch a cable to see if its live .
So after all that my question is can I use 5w30? And if so is my engine safe?
I will be changing the oil myself as the Ford warranty only covers the UK.

 

[Astro14]

5w30 will be fine in the tropics, as long as it meets ACEA C2 (mid SAPS, as required by Ford) or ACEA C3 (same SAPS specification, but higher viscosity).

In other words, don’t sweat the “0” part, worry about the specification part.

 

[Cujet]

5w30 is just fine for a warm climate. You can go up to 5W-40 too.

 

[Kira]

I'm not on the Welcoming Committee, but, WELCOME.

I've seen old timers lick their fingers and touch live bus bars. It gave me the willies, as did reading your post.
I mean, your hand/fingers can be soooo unsanitary at work. Better to touch your tongue directly on the feed. (jk)

 

[kschachn]

5w30 will be fine in the tropics, as long as it meets ACEA C2 (mid SAPS, as required by Ford) or ACEA C3 (same SAPS specification, but higher viscosity).

In other words, don’t sweat the “0” part, worry about the specification part.

As others have noted, any ACEA C2 oil and disregard the grade and the winter rating. You can also use any ACEA C3 oil.

 

[Scottie365]

Wow thanks for the speedy reply guys ( and the welcome ).
My head has de-stressed already. Ford refused to give me a straight answer and a few Ranger groups that I belong to have not been able to help.
But now I know where the professional's are I feel so much better and will be off to Ford in the morning to check the SAPS spec and hopefully get some nice new oil in the truck.

Thanks guys (and girls)

 

[Nessism1]

How old was your oil such that the car threw a code requiring changing it?

Agree with the others, saying 5w30 is fine. I'd say that any 5w30 is fine, not just ACEA C2 or C3 stuff. The engine doesn't care.

 

[kschachn]

How old was your oil such that the car threw a code requiring changing it?

I wondered that as well. I would not wait until a code is thrown.

 

[twX]

ACEA C2 and and API SP 5w30 have the same viscosity, so no issues there. ACEA oils are intended for diesel engines, whereas the API SP oils aren't, so I would stick with an ACEA oil. ACEA C3 would be fine as well.

Some of the Ford standards require a specific test for wet belts, so I'd try to use an oil that meets this standard as well, but if I had to choose between oils that only meet ACEA C2/C3 or only the Ford standard, I'd go with ACEA.

 

[Scottie365]

How old was your oil such that the car threw a code requiring changing it?

Agree with the others, saying 5w30 is fine. I'd say that any 5w30 is fine, not just ACEA C2 or C3 stuff. The engine doesn't care.

So Oil change was in the 1st week of October 8.5k miles, 2 weeks later into a container, unloaded on the last week of November and mileage is now 12.7k.

 

[Kira]

I'd say that any 5w30 is fine

Actually not. The OP says he's driving a turbocharged diesel.
Diesel = MO squeeze on the connecting rods due to higher compression ratios and turbocharged = MO heat.
Go with the specified ACEA C2 or better oil.

Don't ever cause that P253F code again. (jk, but serious)
I wonder if there's an actual oil quality detector or if Ford UK just programmed an alarming message into their OLM readout.

AND, since you're new here, you have 'oil filter selection torture' to look forward to.

 

[edyvw]

Tropics doesn’t have anything to do with choice. Cooling system will maintain oil temperature. Caribbean are not particularly challenging to cool off engine. Very low altitude, or few meters above, guarantees effective cooling. Just because you are hot doesn’t mean engine is.

As for 0W or 5W that is where warm temperature makes your choice abundant. You can go anything as long as it is meeting specifications.

 

[thastinger]

Hi so I have come across this site in the exhaustive search looking for answers and hopefully guidance.
A little background - I am originally from the UK and own a UK spec 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0L 213PS Biturbo Diesel Auto with DPF and wet belt with 12k on the clock.
I have relocated to the Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago) on an electrical contract and decided to take my vehicle with me. I have always serviced with Ford and gave her a full service before plonking into the container. After 7 months of being here my engine light has flashed up and after a Forscan check I was greeted with code P253F - Engine oil deteriorated.
Now my issue is that my manual recommends Castrol Magnatec WSS-M2C950-A 0w30 . (also says if unable to obtain then a 0w30 defined by ACEA C2 is acceptable). You cannot get 0w30 here whatsoever regardless of brand.
The Ford dealer here use Valvoline 5w30 and tell me that it is fine to use but I am not convinced as this is the Caribbean where it is common practice to lick your fingers and touch a cable to see if its live .
So after all that my question is can I use 5w30? And if so is my engine safe?
I will be changing the oil myself as the Ford warranty only covers the UK.

Given the wet oil pump belt and twin turbo diesel...I would stick to a 5-30/40 that meets the spec.

 

[Scottie365]

Actually not. The OP says he's driving a turbocharged diesel.
Diesel = MO squeeze on the connecting rods due to higher compression ratios and turbocharged = MO heat.
Go with the specified ACEA C2 or better oil.

Don't ever cause that P253F code again. (jk, but serious)
I wonder if there's an actual oil quality detector or if Ford UK just programmed an alarming message into their OLM readout.

AND, since you're new here, you have 'oil filter selection torture' to look forward to.

I was also wondering about the oil quality detector but this is defo not my area of expertise.

I promise that I will try to keep my codes clear

Ahhh so I think that I have already experienced the oil filter selection torture (or the reverse) - As the part numbers are different here, whilst in the main dealers I said that I would also be needing an oil filter. He asked 'which Ford' I said 'Ranger' he said ok that'll be 500ttd (approx £60) so I"m not sure how much choice I will have

 

[JHZR2]

Lots of 0w- oil being used and distributed in the Caribbean. Plenty of vehicles lasting well over 100k.

Trust me, in the Caribbean, a vehicle is much more likely to die of being “mash up”, or failing a transmission, than any engine oil related failure.

And when they fail they figure out how to get them running and rolling again. Amazing how much abuse vehicles can take down there and still be in use.

All that said, no reason to go out of your way to find 0w- oils, as you don’t need the cold start flow, nor will the viscosity improvement at cold start help as much. Just meet specs to protect your dpf/treatment.

The one thing to verify is if fuel quality is as good as your vehicle was intended for/programmed for. That could be an issue.

 

[thastinger]

I was also wondering about the oil quality detector but this is defo not my area of expertise.

I promise that I will try to keep my codes clear

Ahhh so I think that I have already experienced the oil filter selection torture (or the reverse) - As the part numbers are different here, whilst in the main dealers I said that I would also be needing an oil filter. He asked 'which Ford' I said 'Ranger' he said ok that'll be 500ttd (approx £60) so I"m not sure how much choice I will have

Dang, that is 73.81USD...for an oil filter. I would be researching how to get mail order stuff down there. That will buy close to a case of MC filters online. Is rockauto, amazon, ebay and option for you?

 

[Kestas]

It rarely gets over 100°F in the Carribean. Humidity doesn't count.

 

[Scottie365]

Lots of 0w- oil being used and distributed in the Caribbean. Plenty of vehicles lasting well over 100k.

Trust me, in the Caribbean, a vehicle is much more likely to die of being “mash up”, or failing a transmission, than any engine oil related failure.

And when they fail they figure out how to get them running and rolling again. Amazing how much abuse vehicles can take down there and still be in use.

All that said, no reason to go out of your way to find 0w- oils, as you don’t need the cold start flow, nor will the viscosity improvement at cold start help as much. Just meet specs to protect your dpf/treatment.

The one thing to verify is if fuel quality is as good as your vehicle was intended for/programmed for. That could be an issue.

Believe me I have searched, problem is the online stuff is non existent, its more a case of someone phoning someone who knows somebody.

But yes I will be moving onto the transmission oil next as I am hearing it can be a major issue due to the heat, I have been advised 20k is a regular changing point but to me seems a bit soon but I am open to suggestions.

Ha funny how they get things up and running here I have seen some vehicles hanging on for dear life but still going strong but on the flip side I have seen some beautifully clean antique examples purring along like they just left the showroom.

Also yes I was worried about the fuel here as it is notorious for being of bad quality and high in sulphur. They were working on it as far as I could tell and as they have their own oil apparently they were building a new refinery to bring everything up to spec in 2018-2020 but it was put on hold for some reason and I cannot seem to find any up to date info. So in the mean time I will probably look to change my fuel filter more often.

 

[Scottie365]

Dang, that is 73.81USD...for an oil filter. I would be researching how to get mail order stuff down there. That will buy close to a case of MC filters online. Is rockauto, amazon, ebay and option for you?

Yes the price hike is crazy, especially as I have the invoice from my last service in front of me and the filter was a mere £17.07. And yes I have looked at Amazon and the like but delivery can be up to a month, no next day delivery here

 

[Plumb Bob]

Tropics doesn’t have anything to do with choice.

It rarely gets over 100°F in the Caribbean. Humidity doesn't count.

Bingo. The perception that the Caribbean is "hot" is because it never gets "cold." And engines don't perceive, nor feel. They run hotter than the hottest day in Death Valley.