Ford and the 5w20 thing...

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Coug

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I have a 2005 Ford that specs the 5w20 for the ONLY allowable viscosity. The engine is the 3.0L Duratec. We are almost through the warranty period and I am wondering about the next step in lubrication. I understand the CAFE issues that Ford used the 5w20 to solve.

I am definitely open to sticking with 5w20 but I wonder if an xW30 would give a bit better protection. I asked the service advisor at the dealership who couldn't give a better answer than ONLY 5w20 because a 30wt won't get to the top end of the valve train. I was underwhelmed by the answer. He also said that MC was full syn.

Is there a better answer than what I got from the service guy? Is there a good reason not to use a multi-viscosity 30 weight (lifter actuation, engine oil used as a hydraulic regulator)?

-Coug
 
Most of the regular 5w20's out there are at least a synth blend. MC 5w20 is not a full synth.

A stout 20wt(caused by GF4 and Fords double sequence testing requirement) would be better at protecting your engine then a 'cheap' 30wt. If I were to step up to a 5w30, make sure that it is labelled a synth blend or full synthetic. This way, you're stepping up a weight without stepping down in quality or performance.

There is no reason not to stop using the 5w20. But, there is also no real reason not to use a 5w30.

An easy upgrade would just to use ANY full synthetic 0w or 5w-20wt oil, vs the cheaper 20wt blends.
 
The service advisor was not terribly helpful as you can tell. I guess I can't blame the guy for toeing the company line though.

I am presently running VS 5w20 and have stock for 2 more OCIs on it. This is my second OCI on VS, I had been using M1. I am changing at about 4850-4900 mi just for the service advisor and the warranty. Once the warranty period is up I may change that. I am planning on getting a UOA on my current fill. I have been running syn for all my cars since 2001 (typically M1 but am now trying other syn products).

I have about 18qts of GC. I am not certain I want to use it all on the 01 Camry...

-Coug
 
Just a side note, I work at (cough) Wal-mart tire and lube, Pennzoil tells us that for any vehicle that prescribes a certain grade oil (5w20 for example),the customer has to use that oil or their warranty on their vehicle may be voided. After the warranty period is over, they have to sign a statement understanding they are using the wrong grade for their vehicle.
 
Lots o' chat about that over the years in these parts. I say pick a good oil. Be it a stout 20 or a 30 that lives on the thin side and you'll be fine.

Get some Amsoil ASM 0W-20 in there and go the distance. Supposed to be sunny by Saturday and I give special breaks, and don't charge freight to local Washingtonians who have stumbled into BITOG.
 
Do a search for UOA of this motor type. See if there is a trend on what weight produces better reslults.
 
I ran the newer formulation AmsOil 0W-30 in the Duratec in my 2004 Sable for the six months before I sold it. I had 20,000 miles on that six month oil change, and the UOA came back just fine. Wish I could find it now . . . The only reason I ran the 0W-30 was because I knew I was going to rack up the miles and wanted the extended OCI that AmsOil offered and at the time AmsOil did not have a 0W-20 or 5W-20 in a full synthetic. To summarize what I just said, a good 0W-30 or 5W-30 should not cause you any problems.

Having said all that, the best plan of action for you is to research the UOA's posted here as MC5W20 stated. Then run a good XW-20, and then a good XW-30. Get UOA's on both and figure out what your engine likes best.

For a good 0W-20, I'll give Pablo a +1 on AmsOil's full synthetic. I'm running it in my wife's 2005 Explorer with the 4.6, and cannot wait to do a UOA on it.

Good luck on your quest!
 
30wt will get to the top end real quick but the uoas with 20wt seem to be real good. I don't think there is a problem with 20wt oils.
 
Well, just for everyones info, I am a fleet mechanic. When we recieved the 4 meter reader ford rangers and 4 meter vans last yr , I was told to use 15W40 in everything. I questioned the fleet super and was told, DO IT , the 5W20 is for cafe only. well, we are having no problems after between 20,000 and 28,000 miles so far. The rangers are 4cyl and the vans are the 3.0, so, don't worry about a 5W30, Tim
 
I love that..."I'm having NO PROBLEMS."

Ahhh... just because a motor doesn't 'blow-up' in your face, does not mean you doing the right thing. What do you expect would be a detectable problem in 20-30K miles ?

You could do that without changing the oil at all, just leave the factory fluid in and have no problem.

Now if your tell me I ran a fleet of 100 vehicles spec'd to 5W20, all over 150K & some to 200K miles on 5W40 without a single failure. I'm all ears.

If anyone could use a UOA it would be fleets !

Maybe the super' wanted to use what was available and cost effective for the rest of the fleet rather than treat them special.
 
Back to the orignal question. I have a 2005 Duratec. From what I can tell the MC is good stuff out to at least 5K, Conoco based probably Excel Paralube GrpII with 40% S-Oil GrpIII, add pack likely has 400ppm boron for anti-wear. $10/5qt at WM.

Step up seems to be PP probably based on Shells XHVI GrpIII which I think is GLT. Shell add pack.

W30 will cost you 0.6% MPG from what I read. And for what ?

Aside from the W20, it's a no brainer application so long as drain intervals are 5K or modest. I have read about police pursuit Crown Vic's going to 200K in good shape on MC 5W20.

I'm with AEHaus...go thin, but I'm careful.
 
The UOA's on 5W20 in the Duratec that I have seen posted have all been great. I have yet to see a 5W30 better than a 5W20. I have also seen posts stating that owners have well over 100,000 miles on these engines running 5w20 without problems.
I run PP 5W20 in my 05.
 
Quote:

I have a 2005 Ford that specs the 5w20 for the ONLY allowable viscosity. The engine is the 3.0L Duratec. We are almost through the warranty period and I am wondering about the next step in lubrication. I understand the CAFE issues that Ford used the 5w20 to solve.

I am definitely open to sticking with 5w20 but I wonder if an xW30 would give a bit better protection. I asked the service advisor at the dealership who couldn't give a better answer than ONLY 5w20 because a 30wt won't get to the top end of the valve train. I was underwhelmed by the answer. He also said that MC was full syn.

Is there a better answer than what I got from the service guy? Is there a good reason not to use a multi-viscosity 30 weight (lifter actuation, engine oil used as a hydraulic regulator)?

-Coug

Click to expand...


I have the same engine in my 2001 Taurus.

My recomendation is to use any blend or full synthetic that meet OEM spec:
  • Ford WWS M2C929-A - For multi-viscosity xW-30 weight oils
  • Ford WWS M2C930-A - For multi-viscosity xW-20 weight oils

  • That said, I've used Mobil 1 exclusively for the past two years.

    Viscosities used were 5W-30 for initial 3K OCI, 5W-20 and current fill of 0W-30. Of all of those, I'm most satisfied with current fill because HT/HS rating of 2.99 is mid point between former items. Mobil 1 5W-30 was too thick and 5W-20 seemed too thin based on it's HT/HS rating of 2.62.
 
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