best oil for 2011 Mustang 5.0

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
The engine will live a long time on 5W-20 like others have said. You may get slightly better wear protection with a 5W-30, but it's hard to recommend that without knowing how clearances compare to previous Modulars.

Get an external oil cooler then you really won't have to worry any run of the mill 5W-20.
But does the engine need an oil cooler?that is the question. People worry too much for no reason.

 

[Soobs]

Conventional, synthetic, brand A, brand B, olive oil, an old banana, miller high life... it doesn't matter. It's a Ford. Just dump something in it and mash the accelerator!

haha - but in all seriousness, if it were me I'd just use a Motorcraft brand oil with OEM oil filters and call it good. If the manual says you can run a different viscosity other than 5W-20 for you climate and driving conditions then go for it.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
The only problem is the Rhetoric that thicker oil offers more protection...
There is a good chance that thicker may offer more protection. But is the [extra] protection needed? Everything is a compromise . Has engine life been drastically shortened with 20w use? does the first or second owner see the difference in engine life. Yes there is always the engine that fails. I had a new at the time GM product where the engine failed running Amsoil . One of my friends was selling the oil. You thing with Amsoil there never would be any wear and Amsoil wouldn't let parts fail but upon assembly of the engine the cam bushing that stops the roller cam from rubbing on the timing cover was left out and all the generated metal quickly filled the filter then in bypass wiped out the engine.

 

[panthermike]

Due to the 8qt sump, Ford recommends running a 10,000 mile OCI under normal conditions. That's with MC blend. I would run the FF until 5,000. After that, run PP/PU for the full 10K, unless your driving is truly "severe". JMO

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: harrydog
I'm seriously contemplating purchasing a 2011 Mustang GT and one of the main reasons is the new 5.0 liter engine. For those not familiar, it's a 7,000 rpm, 412 hp motor that is a real gem according to most sources.
Here's a very in depth article about it.
http://www.mustang50magazine.com/techart...gine/index.html

My question is, what oil would you use? The sump holds 8 qts. by the way.
Ford specs 5w20 but I would have a very hard time using a 5w20 in this engine. I'm old school when it comes to thicker oils, particularly in high performance engines. The only 5w20 I'd feel comfortable using would be Redline.
But what about 5w30, 10w30 or maybe GC? What would you use? the car would be driven fairly hard and engine longevity is my main concern.


You have the answer right there. One of the best xW20 for your new car(if you bought it) if you don't mind buy it online at around $10/qt, but you can run a full 10k miles OCI.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
The engine will live a long time on 5W-20 like others have said. You may get slightly better wear protection with a 5W-30, but it's hard to recommend that without knowing how clearances compare to previous Modulars.

Get an external oil cooler then you really won't have to worry any run of the mill 5W-20.
But does the engine need an oil cooler?that is the question. People worry too much for no reason.


"Consideration was given to an external oil cooler, but ultimately it was decided not to penalize all Coyote buyers for the occasional antics of a miniscule fraction of owners. Oil temperature rises precipitously when the Coyote is revved more than 4,500 rpm for extended periods, and then an external oil-to-air cooler is vital. But those conditions can only be reached on a road-racing track, so the expensive cooler was ditched and engine management strategies were used to protect the engine during hot idles. However, the mounting area for the cooler was "protected" during the 2011 Mustang's development. That makes it easier for the open-trackers among us to fit a cooler (highly recommended by Coyote engine designers), and tells you something about Ford's intentions for special editions of the Coyote-powered Mustangs."

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/techart...ote_oiling.html

Those last two sentences tell me all I need to know. Your average grocery getter won't need one, many "gearheads" will.

On another note, the Coyote apparently uses the same 4.6 main and rod bearings.

 

[Alex38]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
The engine will live a long time on 5W-20 like others have said. You may get slightly better wear protection with a 5W-30, but it's hard to recommend that without knowing how clearances compare to previous Modulars.

Get an external oil cooler then you really won't have to worry any run of the mill 5W-20.


+1

 

[mechtech2]

Remember that thinner oils run cooler, and thus thin less at aggressive engine operating circumstances.
I would change to a good 5-30 if you have a reason to, after the warranty. There is not a huge difference [5-20 to 5-30]
But this assumes 5-20 is spec'd for that 2011 engine. I really don't know.
But for now, realize that Ford is not trying to blow up any of their engines prematurely.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
The engine will live a long time on 5W-20 like others have said. You may get slightly better wear protection with a 5W-30, but it's hard to recommend that without knowing how clearances compare to previous Modulars.

Get an external oil cooler then you really won't have to worry any run of the mill 5W-20.
But does the engine need an oil cooler?that is the question. People worry too much for no reason.


"Consideration was given to an external oil cooler, but ultimately it was decided not to penalize all Coyote buyers for the occasional antics of a miniscule fraction of owners. Oil temperature rises precipitously when the Coyote is revved more than 4,500 rpm for extended periods, and then an external oil-to-air cooler is vital. But those conditions can only be reached on a road-racing track, so the expensive cooler was ditched and engine management strategies were used to protect the engine during hot idles. However, the mounting area for the cooler was "protected" during the 2011 Mustang's development. That makes it easier for the open-trackers among us to fit a cooler (highly recommended by Coyote engine designers), and tells you something about Ford's intentions for special editions of the Coyote-powered Mustangs."

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/techart...ote_oiling.html

Those last two sentences tell me all I need to know. Your average grocery getter won't need one, many "gearheads" will.

On another note, the Coyote apparently uses the same 4.6 main and rod bearings.
Is the car going to be run as to overheat the oil?

 

[harrydog]

If I do buy this car and decide to use 5-20 it will almost certainly be Redline. But I have a hard time believing that meeting CAFE requirements is not a major factor in why 5-20 is specified so often these days.

 

[harrydog]

Quote:
Is the car going to be run as to overheat the oil?

Possibly on occasion.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: harrydog
If I do buy this car and decide to use 5-20 it will almost certainly be Redline.


Just be aware that Red Line recommends using dino for 3000 miles before swapping to their motor oils.

RL 5W-20 is what I would be using if I owned a '11 5.0...and I plan to.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: harrydog
If I do buy this car and decide to use 5-20 it will almost certainly be Redline. But I have a hard time believing that meeting CAFE requirements is not a major factor in why 5-20 is specified so often these days.
I can agree!

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: harrydog
Quote:
Is the car going to be run as to overheat the oil?

Possibly on occasion.
Are you going to track the car? It seems that it would be hard to hold WOT for very long otherwise

The ultimate test is what is the oil pressure when the engine is run the hardest for the length of time it is going to be run. WOT for a quarter mile will not heat the oil like WOT in top gear for hours on end. The oil viscosity can be decided on as you drive the car.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
The engine will live a long time on 5W-20 like others have said. You may get slightly better wear protection with a 5W-30, but it's hard to recommend that without knowing how clearances compare to previous Modulars.

Get an external oil cooler then you really won't have to worry any run of the mill 5W-20.
But does the engine need an oil cooler?that is the question. People worry too much for no reason.


"Consideration was given to an external oil cooler, but ultimately it was decided not to penalize all Coyote buyers for the occasional antics of a miniscule fraction of owners. Oil temperature rises precipitously when the Coyote is revved more than 4,500 rpm for extended periods, and then an external oil-to-air cooler is vital. But those conditions can only be reached on a road-racing track, so the expensive cooler was ditched and engine management strategies were used to protect the engine during hot idles. However, the mounting area for the cooler was "protected" during the 2011 Mustang's development. That makes it easier for the open-trackers among us to fit a cooler (highly recommended by Coyote engine designers), and tells you something about Ford's intentions for special editions of the Coyote-powered Mustangs."

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/techart...ote_oiling.html

Those last two sentences tell me all I need to know. Your average grocery getter won't need one, many "gearheads" will.

On another note, the Coyote apparently uses the same 4.6 main and rod bearings.
Yes the more load on an engine the more heat it produces. That is just how it is.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Perhaps they are using different clearances in different countries based on oil availability and emission / fuel economy requirements/standards?
I don't know about other manufacturers, but every Ford Crown Victoria is built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario. The engines are the same regardless of whether it's destined for the Arctic Circle or Saudi Arabia.

 

[Mitch Alsup]

In my opinion, the first addition to said Mustang would be an oil temperature gauge. Then if you start to see more than 270dF-ish temperatures the way you drive it, an oil cooler would be in order.

My guess is that you have to either, be on a race track, or seriously insane to get the oil that hot on public roads.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Perhaps they are using different clearances in different countries based on oil availability and emission / fuel economy requirements/standards?
I don't know about other manufacturers, but every Ford Crown Victoria is built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario. The engines are the same regardless of whether it's destined for the Arctic Circle or Saudi Arabia.



That may be so, but the Police Interceptor variant has upgraded cooling to handle pursuits, heavy load, extended idle, etc.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: dparm
That may be so, but the Police Interceptor variant has upgraded cooling to handle pursuits, heavy load, extended idle, etc.
You're correct, but my point was that the engines are identical internally, i.e. same clearances. All the Police Interceptor differences are external.

 

[demarpaint]

I trust Ford and would run a 5W20 without batting an eye. If you plan on racing the car then I would use RL, otherwise any of the synthetic 5W20 oils you can buy at AAP or Walmart would be just fine.