Help me choose...

[Olli]

Hi guys,

I've been a long time lurker now a first time poster.

I would like some help in choosing an oil for my truck. It is an '04 Ford Expedition 5.4 L. The first change was done @ 3000 miles and at that time put in Amsoil XL 7500 5W20 with Amsoil filter. OCI 6-7000 miles. Only complaints about that is price and availabilty. Also with regard to price, once shipping is factored in I might as well have been buying Mobil 1. (I have used Mobil 1 for well over 10 years in other cars that I have owned in the past. And in my Acuras, MDX and RSX I use MotorCraft 5W20)) The truck now has 25,000 miles.

The truck is used for commuting, 70 miles round trip, hwy. and in the summer I will tow a 20' enclosed car trailer (6,000 lbs). The truck will be supercharged later this month with a Kenne Bell twin screw for some extra towing power. MPG while commuting is important to me. I try to drive with economy in mind and average 16-17 mpg (65 mph). On a long trip (NOT towing) I have seen 20-21 mpg (65 mph). I am not worried about the supercharger being an mpg penalty while commuting as when cruising I won't be on boost and the supercharger will be in bypass. Long and the short of it is, if I/we can pick an oil that can eek out an extra .25-.50 mpg and provide excellent protection I am interested.

Choices; Mobil 1 5W20, Castrol Syntec 5W20 (I feel that it would be comparable to the Amsoil XL in performance but less $ being only $19. for the 5 qt. jug) or MotorCraft 5W20. Filter would be the MotorCraft, OCI 5,000 with the Mobil 1 and the Syntec and 3,500 with the MotorCraft.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Olli

 

[black thunder]

why not 5,000 oci with the motorcraft?

 

[Pablo]

XL is an excellent choice. Where did you buy it? I do free shipping.

 

[FowVay]

You might consider using one of the 0W-20's that are recommended for the hybrid Hondas. They have ever so slightly lighter viscosity ratings at operating temperature (.5 cst in some cases) and offer slight fuel economy gains during engine warm up.

Otherwise, compare viscosity at operating temp and choose the lightest one that meets Ford's specification for your engine.

 

[Olli]

Pablo,

I was a PC.

Olli

 

[Dave Hess]

Pablo,

Free Shipping, how far do you ship to ?

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

If you are concerned about mileage I would re-think the supercharger. I would suspect that once your vehicle is tuned to avoid detonation and for A/F ratio that you will will lose some mileage even when you are not in boost. I know it is not a direct comparison but my 03 Cobra Mustang (SC) got about 18.5 mpg in conservative driving in a mix of city and hwy. My 06 Mustang GT gets about 21.5 in the same driving. Weight of the cars is comparable. You will also have to use super unleaded all the time. Just my opinion.

 

[Olli]

Old Mustang Guy,

You are right, I will be using premium fuel once the Bell system is installed. I can justify that since it is still cheaper than diesel.

Your 2 Mustangs have completely different engines. The '06 should get better mileage. The new 3V engines are very nice. You have two very nice cars there btw.

I am surprised that nobody has told me to use the MC in the truck as I do with my Acuras.

Olli

 

[N2OIL]

If you have been using M 1 trouble free why did you switch?

Also have you looked into pennzoil platinum?

 

[Olli]

I have never used M1 in the Expedition. I said that I used it in the past, with other cars. No, I have not looked at the Platinum.

Olli

 

[boxcartommie22]

in my 98 expy i use nothing else but redline 10w30 and 1 qt. motul 300v chrono 10w40 which gives a high 30 wt