Ford dealer used 5W20 in my 1994 F-150

[Astro14]

This thread is posted on behalf of @Ford-Guy

Who said,

“I've got a question. I took my Ford Escape SUV into the Ford dealership for an oil change and they put 5W-20 in it according to the recommended sources. Okay, sounds right.

But then I took my 1994 Ford F-150 (81,000 miles - 302 V8 - one owner) into the same Ford dealer and they also filled it with 5W-20. (???) The book calls for 10W-30 and that's what I've always used in it. Should I be concerned? Is this okay? Should I add some STP to this just to be on the safe side as the weather is turning hot? There's a lot of new developments in technologies that I'm not aware of so maybe this is okay?”

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[tasch72]

I would take the truck back and have them change the oil (and filter!) to the proper spec.

I would not add an oil additive. A lot of times they're just cheap, super thick base stock that will dilute the additive package of the oil.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

AMSOIL says it is OK for 1994 F150: 5W-20 (All TEMPS) - This specification has been updated from 5W-30 to 5W-20 per a Technical Service Bulletin from the manufacturer 5W-20 is the preferred viscosity. Capacity: 6 quarts (with filter).

Personally, I would go back and ask for 5w30 as a fill. Not a fan of STP thickeners at all.

 

[GSCJR]

This specification has been updated from 5W-30 to 5W-20 per a Technical Service Bulletin from the manufacturer 5W-20 is the preferred viscosity.

+1

 

[tcp71]

OEM auto manufacturers got CAFE credits for back spec'ing lighter oils in older vehicles. Toyota did a similar thing with our 3.3l V6 in the van. This is obviously one of those cases. I would use a 0,5,10w30 weight.

 

[JavierH19]

Dealers deserve no leeway for any of their mistakes. I'd go back and demand that they do it over free of charge.

 

[bdcardinal]

I would go back. In our bulk tanks we have MC 0W20FS, MC 10W30 diesel, MC 5W20 blend, and MC 5W30 blend. I think I might have a case of gas engine 10W30, but we maybe sell a case every 2 years so it really isn't worth giving shelf space to.

 

[bdcardinal]

Also, what is billed out versus what is actually in there could be different. When I bill out an oil change, I go off of the shop manual based on what it is supposed to have. I have no physical way of guaranteeing that is what is put in the vehicle.

 

[demarpaint]

TSB or not back spec'ing it to 5W20, I'd bring it back and have them change the oil and filter replacing the oil with 5W30.

 

[atikovi]

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[21_6.7f450]

5w20 is not something I would use in a 302. My mom had a 94' and it got nothing but 5w30 M1 every 5k year round.
The dealer won't change it, they will just reprint you a new invoice.
Why are you taking it in, it is ridiculously easy to do.
I would feel more comfortable running 0w16 in a Ford 5.4 than 5w20 in a motor that is a 30 year old design by 1994.
^Cujet, don't have a stroke. I would never do it. Haha

 

[OVERKILL]

Yeah, these were back-spec'd, I'd probably get it changed out for a 5W-30. While it's "safe" the engine was never originally designed or validated with an xW-20.

 

[350Rocket]

Yeah, these were back-spec'd, I'd probably get it changed out for a 5W-30. While it's "safe" the engine was never originally designed or validated with an xW-20.

I remember them being back spec'd 20 years ago when I worked at ford as a service advisor. Even then our techs all used 10w30 in the 302's.

 

[eljefino]

4.6? Maybe. 302? No. Get your money back from the dealer and get it done somewhere else. Don't let them re-do it, they'll cheat.

 

[ka9mnx]

Per Ford TSB, all Ford engines were back spec'd to 5w-20 except the 4.0l V6. There was another Ford engine but can't remember which one.
I have the TSB if anyone cares.
I tried it in my '93 F150 with the 4.9l. It didn't work out so well. So far the Euro 5w-40 seems to be the best grade.

 

[21_6.7f450]

They can back spec all they want. I'd never use it. I go the other way. My Tacoma recommends 0w20 but I use 5w30. I'd go thicker by one viscosity range over the manual...never thinner. Do you really believe Ford? I sure don't. They released the 3.5 Eco as using 5w20. Then it went to 5w30. Same with the V10 and 6.2. Last I heard, it was 5w30. I'm convinced Ford literally pulls suggestions out of a hat. It is not about making it last. It's about just being good enough. If something like a leaky injector, running a bit low happens, that "good enough " is not.

 

[Leo99]

I assume if they back speced it, there is data to support its use and it will be fine for one oil change. Change it back at the next oil change to alleviate any concerns.

 

[TiGeo]

Bingo card urge rising

 

[SR5]

If it's back spec'd to 5W20 by Ford then the dealer didn't put the wrong oil in, unless you explicitly asked them for 10W30.

Just because the invoice says 5W20, that doesn't mean you got 5W20. The person printing the invoice and the person changing the oil are two different people. Who don't talk as much as they should.

If you ask them to change it again, you still don't really know if they did it again correctly or just pretended.

Me, I would just let it ride and make sure they know my requirements for next time. I would also buy a quart of Supertech 10W40 and top it up with that when it gets a bit low.

One oil change of 5W20 isn't going to kill it. But top it up with some thicker stuff.

 

[Glenda W.]

Bulk oil is a crapshoot. Who knows what’s in there.