Heaviest oil for Ford 5.4 modular motor?

[bamorris2]

What's the heaviest grade oil I can safely use on a newer Ford 5.4L 3v motor? Ford specs 5w20 for it (probably for CAFE purposes). I'm currently using PP 5w30. The reason I'm looking for a heavier oil is 2-part: first, I want the best protection I can get in So Cal's desert climates, and second I want to quiet cold-start clatter... As far as the cold-start noise, I saw a sizeable improvement going from MC 5w20 to PP 5w30, but it's still there sometimes.

Anyway, I live in the desert region of southern California. Summer sees temps in excess of 105*-110*. Winter probably averages 60*. So I don't think I have to worry about low temp oil flow that much.

 

[bamorris2]

Also, is Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 thicker than PP 5w30??

How much of an impact on MPG can I expect between, say, MC 5w20 and Maxlife 5w30?? 2%?? 5%?? 10%??

 

[Camu Mahubah]

The chains that drive the cams are maybe what you are hearing...if you wanna go all out try a 5w40...

 

[Max_Wander]

synth 10w30 would be my choice. they perform like 5w's or even 0w's and are least likely to have VIIs in them

 

[bamorris2]

Ok, so if I go with a thicker oil like 10w30, what effects do you think I'd see (MPG decline, harder starting, less responsive performance, etc)?? Also, what synthetic works well with these motors? Is PP a good choice?

 

[Max_Wander]

you shouldnt notice a difference at all, not with a 10w30 in your climate. Maybe at zero degrees, you may

 

[pp_rp]

Stay with your 5w20. It has better startup protection than 5w-30 or 10w 30. If your oil is 105F or 110F it is still to cold for optimal protection. When your oil is around optimal temp (212F or 100c) then it's working at it's best. 90%+ of engine wear is at startup lasting 20mins+.

 

[bamorris2]

Quote:

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Stay with your 5w20. It has better startup protection than 5w-30 or 10w 30. If your oil is 105F or 110F it is still to cold for optimal protection. When your oil is around optimal temp (212F or 100c) then it's working at it's best. 90%+ of engine wear is at startup lasting 20mins+.

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What about MAX's comment that 10w30's perform like 5w's or 0w's??? Is that not accurate?

 

[pp_rp]

Maybe at optimal oil temps but not at startup when oil is the same temp as the air or outside..

 

[Steelhead]

Redline 5w40
esters cling to the cam lobes and crank journals
the high levels of moly adheres to all rotating surfaces

 

[Steelhead]

or RL 10w30

 

[Max_Wander]

Quote:

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Quote:

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Stay with your 5w20. It has better startup protection than 5w-30 or 10w 30. If your oil is 105F or 110F it is still to cold for optimal protection. When your oil is around optimal temp (212F or 100c) then it's working at it's best. 90%+ of engine wear is at startup lasting 20mins+.

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What about MAX's comment that 10w30's perform like 5w's or 0w's??? Is that not accurate?

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synthetic 10w30's perform like 5w's and 0w's at certain temps. To go with more spread would be to introduce oil additives that are not nessecary in this application.

 

[Panzerman]

Id go with 10w30. That oil is alot hotter than 212 degrees. Too many people consider the coolant temp to be correlated to the oil temps. The coolant runs alot cooler, hence the name "COOLANT". If it was the same temp as the engine it wouldnt be cooling. When you look at the temperature guage you are seeing the coldest thing in your engine. Your oil temps in that climate are probably around 300+.

 

[bmwtechguy]

I would think that a 15W-40 would be the heaviest oil you would want to use, although I don't think it would be optimal or necessary. I would experiment with Maxlife of different viscosities and find the one that gives you the best fuel economy and quiet operation. I'm thinking the Maxlife 5W-30 or 10W-30. They sell a full synthetic version of those as well for possibly longer change intervals.

 

[aztec12]

don't know if this would help but,i run max-life 5w30 in my 4.6 f150 and it runs real smooth and i don't notice any changes as far as MPG.Since ford wants us to use 5w20 and some say that 10w30 is heavy. I stay in between(5w30)

 

[LargeCarManX2]

I would use the QuakerState Torque 10-40 oil moves like water and protects like it should. Pick up a bottle and wiggle it....sloshes like a good beer

I think you will like it.

 

[MNgopher]

I've run everything from 5w20 to 5w40 in my '99 F150 with the 4.6. (In Minnesota, Summer and Winter) They all work fine and the 5w40 was less volitile than the 5w20 or 30 oils.

My only food for thought was I got nailed over 7% on fuel mileage runnign 5w40 oil. Not good for the ol wallet.

My suggestion: If you really want to go heavier, and I'd have no problem doing so in your climate, followup by checking your fuel mileage. The extra viscosity may hurt the wallet in the long run...

 

[Steve S]

10w/30 or straight 30 for temps above 32f.

 

[sprintman]

25W70 Winter, 40W70 Summer

 

[Max_Wander]

LOL why stop now? why not 50w275 ? why not coal tar??