I switched my 93 Aerostar to 5W20 at about 165,000 miles, without any problems. In fact it was using less oil than with 5W30. Now I mix 5W20 with 5W30 to even out my stash. No problems to report. I'm at about 183,000 miles now.
Factory recomended 5w-30 or back spec'd 5w-20?
- Thread starter VK56VD
- Start date
- Status
Actually the one I found funny is my father's work truck, 1996 F350 460/V-8 SEFI. Originally in 1996 Ford called for 10W30 in it, then after a couple of years a TSB stated to use 5W30, now they are calling for 5W20 in it. Long story short, a 50 year old engine design with reasonably loose clearances probably won't benefit from Ford blanket back spec'ing. If they called for 5W30 at the time I see no reason to vary from that. Will using 5W20 hurt, very unlikely, may even improve your fuel mileage a minor bit. Let's just say that Dad's work truck still gets it's healthy diet of Irving Max 10W30 without any consumption issues.
Originally Posted By: Spartuss
Originally Posted By: shrooms
5W20 can be used all year, so use it.
Is it a Duratec? If yes, they love the thinner stuff.
Yes, it's the 24V Duratec, not the 12V Vulcan.
Better MPG with the thinner oil in this motor?
How does the engine sound? With the engine warmed up park the car and turn off the ac. Listen from outside of the car. If she purrs like a kitten and the only thing you hear are injectors, be sure to stay with the same brand when you change to 5w-20.
Originally Posted By: shrooms
5W20 can be used all year, so use it.
Is it a Duratec? If yes, they love the thinner stuff.
Yes, it's the 24V Duratec, not the 12V Vulcan.
Better MPG with the thinner oil in this motor?
How does the engine sound? With the engine warmed up park the car and turn off the ac. Listen from outside of the car. If she purrs like a kitten and the only thing you hear are injectors, be sure to stay with the same brand when you change to 5w-20.
How far back does the back spec go in a Vulcan 3.0?
Originally Posted By: Spartuss
Originally Posted By: shrooms
5W20 can be used all year, so use it.
Is it a Duratec? If yes, they love the thinner stuff.
Yes, it's the 24V Duratec, not the 12V Vulcan.
Better MPG with the thinner oil in this motor?
I believe Ford back speced this engine for 0W20. I'm going 0W20 on the next OCI to find out if mileage does increase. That would be a plus. I currently have Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 and it runs very smoothly.
It's a happy engine.
Originally Posted By: shrooms
5W20 can be used all year, so use it.
Is it a Duratec? If yes, they love the thinner stuff.
Yes, it's the 24V Duratec, not the 12V Vulcan.
Better MPG with the thinner oil in this motor?
I believe Ford back speced this engine for 0W20. I'm going 0W20 on the next OCI to find out if mileage does increase. That would be a plus. I currently have Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 and it runs very smoothly.
It's a happy engine.
I don't recall Ford back specing anything for 0w20. They back spec'd for 5W20 so that people could use a Conventional oil vs a synthetic, since 0W20 only comes in synthetic. Having said that if an engine was back spec'd for 5W20, 0W20 will work fine.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I don't recall Ford back specing anything for 0w20. They back spec'd for 5W20 so that people could use a Conventional oil vs a synthetic, since 0W20 only comes in synthetic. Having said that if an engine was back spec'd for 5W20, 0W20 will work fine.
Yeah, that makes sense. You said it way better than me.
I don't recall Ford back specing anything for 0w20. They back spec'd for 5W20 so that people could use a Conventional oil vs a synthetic, since 0W20 only comes in synthetic. Having said that if an engine was back spec'd for 5W20, 0W20 will work fine.
Yeah, that makes sense. You said it way better than me.
- Status