Best Oil for New Ranger

[ncguy]

I bought a 2011 Ranger with the 4.0 brand new in April. Ford says the oil is good for at least 5k OR 6 months. I don't drive the truck much (only 1600 miles so far). It's crazy to change oil at less than 3k miles but I have to do so for 5 years to keep up the warranty. I am looking for a good conventional 5w30 and have traditionally used Havoline but I am not too excited about the SN version add pack. I also strongly prefer something that can be bought at Wal-Mart so I don't have to depend on sales for a decent price. Any ideas?

Edit to Add: Typical driving for me is a 15-20 mile trip to the hardware or recycling center. The truck rarely gets over 3000 rpms and towing or hauling is relatively light. Whatever oil I use will be paired with a Purolator Classic filter.

 

[Lead Shoes]

I'd have to say Pennzoil conventional, you just cannot beat the price for performance of it at $15 for a 5qt every day.

 

[dave1251]

PYB has a similar add pack as Havoline except with more additives. But to be honest everyday price the steal belongs to Mobil Clean 5000. I just will not use it. Other good values are Quaker State, Valvoline conventional, SuperTech, and Motorcraft oil.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Havoline: http://www.pqiamerica.com/TexacoHavoline.htm

Pennzoil conventional: http://www.pqiamerica.com/Pennzoil.htm

While they are similar, Pennzoil conventional has a load of Moly that Havoline doesn't.

He is right though, you couldn't go wrong with any big brand's dino with that OCI.

 

[Roadkingnc]

Motorcraft 5w20 is a proven oil that many people run.

 

[bourne]

One more day left at AAP for 5.1 qt jug of Valvoline conventional Nextgen + Purolator Classic/ P1 for 1.97 after a $20 Amex Rebate card. I would stick to 5w20 spec which should be Ford's OEM spec as well. Especially since you are not driving it aggressively at all.

And I honestly would recommend a Motocraft filter over Purolator Classic any day, now Pureone would definitely be a better upgrade but its more expensive as well.

 

[eagle23]

+1 on the 5w20.

Any SN oil will do (we all have our favorite flavors) for the kind of driving you're doing, which is really easy on the oil.

 

[exranger06]

Ford specifically did NOT back-spec the 4.0 to 5w20. It was one of the last engines to still spec 5w30 right up until it was discontinued. DO NOT USE 5W20!

 

[CErnst]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Ford specifically did NOT back-spec the 4.0 to 5w20. It was one of the last engines to still spec 5w30 right up until it was discontinued. DO NOT USE 5W20!

+1 on that. The 2.3 and 3.0 engines were back spec'd...but not the 4.0. The 4.0L on 5w20 could not sustain oil pressure.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Pennzoil or Motorcraft would be my two choices.

 

[WMSmotorhead]

Any good 5w30 will be the ticket. Just look for the API symbols. If it meets the API specs, it should work just fine.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Ford specifically did NOT back-spec the 4.0 to 5w20. It was one of the last engines to still spec 5w30 right up until it was discontinued. DO NOT USE 5W20!

Agreed! Ford was very specific on this...4.0s should get 5W30 always.

But any decent name brand will do. I'd buy what's on sale or whatever is convenient. I buy Mobil 1 not because I feel it is superior to other synthetics, but because it comes in a 5 quart jug and is $27 at Wal-Mart.

Let me know when you want to sell this truck. With your usage pattern the truck will be broken in after a decade or so.