F150 Oil recommendation ???

[High Plains Drifter]

From 2004 F150 Owners Manual.
On page 273 of “Maintenance and Specifications”
it states under Engine Oil:
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAR 5W-20 Super Premium Motor Oil (Canada)
Has a small letter “8” beside recommendation.

Note 8 states:
Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C153-H and the API certification mark.

Two questions.
Does’nt the dino/Canada vs Syn (USA) recommendation seem backwards since one of the areas where synthetic really shows it stuff is cold weather?
And
I have never seen synthetic recommended in what I consider a “regular” car/truck before.
Corvetter, Viper, Etc.. Yes, but a Ford Truck, what’s up with this.

Anyone think it has anything to do with the 5w-20 being on the ragged edge of providing protection hence the synthetic designation?

What do you guys think?

 

[bighead]

quote:

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Originally posted by High Plains Drifter:
From 2004 F150 Owners Manual.
On page 273 of “Maintenance and Specifications”
it states under Engine Oil:
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAR 5W-20 Super Premium Motor Oil (Canada)
Has a small letter “8” beside recommendation.

Note 8 states:
Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C153-H and the API certification mark.

Two questions.
Does’nt the conventional/Canada vs Syn (USA) recommendation seem backwards since one of the areas where synthetic really shows it stuff is cold weather?
And
I have never seen synthetic recommended in what I consider a “regular” car/truck before.
Corvetter, Viper, Etc.. Yes, but a Ford Truck, what’s up with this.

Anyone think it has anything to do with the 5w-20 being on the ragged edge of providing protection hence the synthetic designation?

What do you guys think?

---

Synthetic will protect your car (whether it be an F150, Viper, etc) better than any conventional oil. Also, for extended drain intervals, you'd want to go synthetic. MC 5-20 Blend is a good oil, and if you get the truck serviced at the stealership, then you'll be in good shape as you will be getting that lovely MC filter as well. If you are a DIYer, then you can put whatever oil you want, but in this Texas heat I wouldn't go longer than 3K on conventional oil. I used Mobil 1 0w20 in my 02 Mustang and 02 Escape (both called for 5-20 but at the time M1 didnt make a 5-20, but said 0-20 met Ford and Honda specs). Again, you can put whatever in the truck, but I use synthetics in all of my vehicles.... I just don't get that cozy feeling putting regular conventional in there. But that's me

One more thing. I never did this, but I've heard that a 5-30 or 10-30 will be better during the summer heat, wont shear as bad, and it wont hurt the engine calling for 5-20. The 5-20 was just needed to squeeze a fraction of a percentage better gas mileage out it.

[ April 07, 2005, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: bighead ]

 

[Blue99]

quote:

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Note 8 states:
Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C153-H and the API certification mark.

---

Don't get hung up on the term "synthetic" as Motorcraft 5W-20 is a Grp II/III dino blend, not containing PAO or esters.

Look for the current Ford spec, WSS-M2C930-A. Any of the major brands of 5w20 conventional will meet this spec.

 

[High Plains Drifter]

Yeah I am running Pennzoil 10w30 conventional just was getting some thoughts on the whole Synthetic recommendation thing.

 

[Schmoe]

A lot of F150 owners with the 4.6 or 5.4 engines are running Mobil 1 5w30 or 10w30. There is still a lot of arguing about the 5W-20's. I am on the bandwagon of it being for CAFE standards only. Ford could give a rats arshe if you motor gets past warranty period or not. I'm in the Texoma area and in the summers, it's Mobil 1 10w30 and winters, it's Mobil 1 5w30.

 

[JustinH]

run anything 5w20 that meets the gf-4 spec if you are under warranty, then switch to anything that meets the gf-4 spec thats 5w30.

Its best just to get it done at the dealer, the motorcraft oil and filter is a good deal.

I run 5w30 mobil5000 gf-4 in my 98 f150 with a motorcraft filter.

Works great.

 

[Bob Miller]

I'm running Mobil 7500 and Extraguard filter on my Mazda Tribute (Ford 3.0 V-6). That combination cause I can find both items nearly anywhere.

Thus far, its the "cleanest" combination so far.

I'm also running a Toyota on Havoline/extraguard. Pretty close in appearance.

Will be doing an analysis on both then will see.

Spoke with dealer service manager on the Mazda and he didn't see any warranty issues. Mazda manual only reccommends 5w-20.

 

[archryhntng]

I run Amsoil S2K 0w30. Run for 24,000 mile interval with filter change at 12,000. Oil samples are good.

 

[Minou]

My brother runs Rotella T SB 0W-40 and Motorcraft filter in his 04 F150 5.4l.

He just wants to carry 1 oil for all his vehicles, hence the Rotella. I talked him into the XD-3 0w30 though...

He closely monitors his mileage and he reports very good numbers. For sedate highway driving, I might say.