Help with Oil for 2011 Ford V-10

[v10camper]

After 1800 miles, I decided to change the oil in my new 2011 E450 V-10 equipped Ford motorhome. The local autoparts suggested I use Rotella T6 full synthetic (blue bottle) 5w-40, despite the manufacturer's recommendation of 5w-20. I live in Michigan, but the vehicle is stored from October until late April. After the oil change, I drove it about 10 miles to the storage facility. After discussing the oil change with some friends, they referred me to this website. Now I'm paranoid - I tried to read through the Oil 101, etc and am confused. Some forum searches revealed some posts about older v10's that may not have the same valvetrain. Should I drain the Rotella and go back to a Mobil 1 or Motorcraft synthetic 5w-20? Should I leave it until the next oil change? Is the Rotella ok to begin with? From what I can discern, the 5w-20 may be a better choice. Help! Thanks!

 

[Quest]

sleep easy! 5W40 maybe a bit thicker than, say, 5W20 but equally a capable oil. Yes, it maybe a bit thicker than what the factory recommends but will serve you fine until the next oil change is due.

While some may disagree with the use of 5W20 on Ford motorhomes/pickup trucks, etc., citing from being "too thin to handle the job" to "just as easily boiling off as boiling water", etc.

I can tell you one nice example though: my friend's 2008 F150(freshly bought new from dealership, 1st owner) has been through countless climbing with his 5th wheel (weighs around 8300lbs),barely keeping up with the traffic up the snoqualmie pass 5+ times or more every year (he has a campsite near Yakima). What did he use? stealership oil changes with the cheepest 5W20 bulk avail. Is he worried about it? Nope. Am I worried about it (coz I also serve as an advisor to him RE: all things automobile), nope. Last that I checked his oil and engine condition: no varnish, no sludge, no nothing, no oil consumption after 47000 hard miles.

Ford has tested their engines over the past decade to run nicely and safely on 5W20 (thus the recommendation in their manual). I would run it without hesitation.

Q.

 

[addyguy]

You got really bad advice.

Ford requires you to use 5W-20 oil to meet warranty requirements.

Lots of full-size, V-10 Fords have gone 'forever' on the spec'd 5W-20. I'd change the oil to that.

 

[Rand]

I wouldnt worry about it.. but I'd use a thinner oil next time.

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 0w20.

 

[bradepb]

Go ahead and let it store till April then get an oil change with your choice of 5w20, keep the reciept, forget about the 5w-40 oil change , never happened and certainly no harm done.

 

[bradepb]

Or since your in Mi let me change it for you now, I will use it for bow season to make sure everything is ok and then you can store it.

 

[walk23]

Use MC 5W-20

 

[tinmanSC]

There are lots of stories here in BITOG about whacky parts counter guys giving out silly advice. I would take what they have to say with less than a grain of salt. In this case, the increase in viscosity is uneeded, however I doubt it will hurt anything. If it were my engine, I would keep the oil in there until the next change, then switch back to whatever the manufacturer recommends.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Mobil 1 0w20.

+1....agree with tig....Mobil 1 0w20 would be a great year-round oil for your Michigan climate.

 

[Nick R]

MC 5W-20 blend. Cheap, good oil, and it's specifically "formulated" by Ford.

 

[FastGame]

MC 5W-20, Tractor Supply has Mobil 1 on sale for $2.99 qt...hurry and go get some cuz I'm buying Michigan dry of the 5W-20

 

[v10camper]

Thanks everyone. I will likely just replace it with the 5w-20. I can't get it out of my head that it's better to use the thinner oil after all that's been said. Peace of mind is worth the $50!

 

[Mr_Incredible]

What does your owner's manual suggest you should use for V10 in a motorhome?

I've got the '99 V10. Been using 5w & 10w30 for 98k miles. Tried some 20w, didn't like it, went back to 30w. Don't care that it's been back-spec'd, I'm not using it.

Always been a good engine with good used oil analysis. Tried some 5w-40 Mobil 1 Truck and SUV once. Felt like molasses in it. Ran it for 3k miles, UOA was fine.

 

[jorton]

That v-10 is not a passenger car engine so Ford's oil spec does not have to be re-thunk for a motor home.

Rotella 5w-40 has always been a darling motor oil at this site. You should try to find the "darling" 5w-20. I think that would be Motorcraft synthetic blend, but you should also consider Motorcraft full synthetic and Valvoline Maxlife full synthetic.

 

[hattaresguy]

If Ford says 5w20, go find a 5w20 that meets those spec's and use that. Ford knows what they are doing if they wanted a heavier oil used in certain applications they would have printed it in the manual.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
If Ford says 5w20, go find a 5w20 that meets those spec's and use that. Ford knows what they are doing if they wanted a heavier oil used in certain applications they would have printed it in the manual.