First time using 5W-20

[ThirdeYe]

My sister just bought a 1998 Ford Escort ZX-2 with the DOHC 2.0L engine. I read that this car was back-specified to use 5W-20 so I went ahead and bought 5 quarts of Pennzoil 5W-20 along with a Purolator Premium Plus oil filter and I'll be using 5W-20 for the first time. I already had a bunch of 5W-30 but I figured I'd give it a shot, especially since it was on sale. Anyone have any thoughts on using 5W-20 in an older Ford like this? I know it works great in newer vehicles that are specified for it, just debating whether or not I should try it in this older vehicle, even though it was specified for it.

Edit: The vehicle has 91,000 miles on it. Doesn't appear to use any oil.

 

[Carpethead]

Were did you find the info for the back spec. of 5W20 motor oil for Ford cars/trucks ?

 

[StevieC]

I have always found those engines to like the 30wt oil better. I would use the 30wt in the warmer weather and switch to the 20wt for increased flow in the winter... JMO

 

[ThirdeYe]

It was on Amsoil.com's look-up. I also just noticed that the filter is no longer called Premium Plus, it's just called Purolator now. Here is a list I found of the vehicles specified: http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/fulltext/show_article.php?tsb=02-1-9

 

[Carpethead]

THANK YOU !! Have a GREAT DAY!!

 

[Sayjac]

demarpaint runs his Ford on backspec'd 5w20 with no issues. He'd be a good one to PM, or perhaps he will see this. IIRC, he may even be running a 0wXX in his vehicle, and his is the engine in the Ford minivan.

Puro Premium Plus now, Classic white, 97% efficient, a good solid filter. IMO, you could run the 5w20 PYB/Puro combo easy 5k with no issues. Go for it.

Edit, if you really felt ambitious you could search demar's posts.

 

[roadrunner1]

two of my kids cars (97escort & 99 mustang) fall into the back-speced catagory, i switched both of them over a year ago to motorcraft 5w-20 syn blend and absolutely not one drop of oil consumption on either engine, escort has 150,000+ and mustang has 115,000+. makes it much easier buying one oil, wifes 06 milan also calls for 5w-20

 

[hate2work]

Remember that when a car gets back spec'd, it's because of CAFE reasons. Which means it's not because it's better for the engine., it just means that it won't hurt the engine.

I agree with Stevie, use 30 wt now and the 20 wt in the winter.

 

[tig1]

Where you live use 5-30 year round. 20wt. is cafe.May not,not sure, hurt your engine but won't help either.

 

[Junior]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
I have always found those engines to like the 30wt oil better. I would use the 30wt in the warmer weather and switch to the 20wt for increased flow in the winter... JMO

A lower viscosity oil will pump a little easier in the winter but the oil pump flow will be exactly the same.