Anyone using a 0W in their Ford 4.2L?

[sir1900]

2006 Ford Freestar SEL with the 4.2L V6

The van was bought brand new. Throughout the years, it has received only 5W20 conventional in various flavours -- Pennzoil conventional, Valvoline conventional, Quaker State Conventional, etc. It currently has 95,000 kms.

Winter will be here before you know it. Last winter was particularly harsh. This vehicle is parked outside and is a short tripper (less than 10 kms per day). I am considering a 0W20 although I do have some jugs of Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 on my shelf.

The manual calls for 5W20 meeting the WSS-M2C930-A spec. Winter is right around the corner. I'm considering using a 0W but can't seem to find any threads here and elsewhere supporting the use of it. M1 claims the 0W20 meets the WSS-M2C930-A spec.

Anyone here using a 0W in their 4.2? Thoughts? One thing is certain, I would like to use a Full Synthetic for the winter.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Have not used a 0w-20 in my 4.2. Mine has 286,000 miles in a work truck and I use an HDEO 10w30. But in your case I would not hesitate to use the Mobil 1 0W-20 in the winter, esp for short trips and your cold winters. Startup flow will be quicker and help prevent startup wear.

 

[95busa]

I don't see a problem. I am currently running 10w30 QS defy in my 150. Of course I don't live in the tundra.

 

[bigt61]

IIRC, Caterham stated that Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 is slightly lighter than Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 so you should probably just stick with what you have and use it up.

 

[gregk24]

If your engine calls for 5w20 then 0w20 should be fine, Mobil says its fine.

 

[tstep]

TYPICAL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PENNZOIL® PLATINUM™ FULL SYNTHETICMOTOR OIL
TEST METHOD TYPICAL RESULTS
Viscosity Grade. 0W-20 5W-20
API Service SN-RC SN-RC
ILSAC GF-5 GF-5
ACEA A1/B1-08 A1/B1-08
Gravity, °API ASTM D-287 35.8 34.7
Specific Gravity @60°F(15.6°C) ASTM D-287 0.846 0.851
Viscosity@ 40°C, cSt ASTM D-445 42.8 45.34
Viscosity@ 100°C, cSt ASTM D-445 8.39 8.56
Viscosity Index ASTM D-2270 175 169
Flash Point , °C ASTM D-93 224 224
Pour Point, °C ASTM D-97 -42 -42
MRV viscosity, cP (°C) ASTD D-4684 20,800 (-40) 11,100 (-35)
CCS Viscosity, cP (°C ) ASTM D-5293 5,680 (-35) 3,860 (-30)
HT/HS Viscosity, cP ASTM D-4683 2.6 2.6
Noack Volatility, % ASTM D-5800 11.5 12.8

Very similar products differing only very slightly. Use up your stash as you're not gaining much, if anything, by switching.

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 0w20 is recommended for any engine requireing a 0-20 or 5-20 oil. Here is the link to their PDS.

 

[Brybo86]

I'd use your stash

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

This engine has been built since 1996. The last year of production was in 2008. It was originally spec'd for 5W30 oil. The clearances and tolerances have NEVER changed since production until its end in 2008.
I currently use 5W30 and will continue to into the winter.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Mobil 1 0w20 is recommended for any engine requireing a 0-20 or 5-20 oil. Here is the link to their PDS.


OOPS! I forgot to post the link.

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_0W-20_Advanced_Fuel_Economy.aspx

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
This engine has been built since 1996. The last year of production was in 2008. It was originally spec'd for 5W30 oil. The clearances and tolerances have NEVER changed since production until its end in 2008.
I currently use 5W30 and will continue to into the winter.

A friend had a 2003 Windstar with the 3.8 which is the same basic engine as the 4.2 and has used(recently sold the van) Mobil 1 5w30 Extended Performance with 185k on the engine doing 15K OCIs with excellant results.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
This engine has been built since 1996. The last year of production was in 2008. It was originally spec'd for 5W30 oil. The clearances and tolerances have NEVER changed since production until its end in 2008.
I currently use 5W30 and will continue to into the winter.

A friend had a 2003 Windstar with the 3.8 which is the same basic engine as the 4.2 and has used(recently sold the van) Mobil 1 5w30 Extended Performance with 185k on the engine doing 15K OCIs with excellant results.

These engines are not as stout as the 300-6 but are close to it. Ford had a hiccup in 1996 with the 4.2 but until end of production it was basically bullet proof.
I will not hesitate to use 5W20 in mine, which I have, a lot, but just prefer 5W30.
Now, Canada, snow, frozen tundra, I would not hesitate to use 0W20 up there. That only makes common sense.

 

[sir1900]

Thanks for all the replies.

The van belongs to my mom and pop. They don't drive it much -- just to and from work 7 days a week. I try to take it out on the freeway once every week or two. Last oil change was in March using Valvoline 5w20 conventional. During the cold winter, they have it running for at least 10-15 minutes before taking the short 3 minute drive each way. It's amazing the amount of gas that's wasted. I can't imagine how beat up that oil is during the 5 months of winter we have here.

 

[Garak]

With those short trips, you could try something like a 0w30 such as Petro-Canada's, if there's any concern about the 20 being too thin at operating temperatures. Maybe they should look and see if the changes to the bus routes would be of any value to them.

 

[901Memphis]

The Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 is plenty good enough for the cold temperatures.