Motorcraft 5W-20 vs. Motorcraft 5W-30

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
twolegpolka

twolegpolka

Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
29
Location
Old Saybrook, CT
Hello,

Most of us are impressed with Motorcraft 5W-20 but which of these two oils will perform better. It would seem that the 5W-20 version is very well engineered. Would that mean the 5W-20 will out perform it's 5w30 brother in better engine wear protection and as long an OCI? I have seen a few 5w30 used oil analysis showing a decent performance, just wondering which oil would you pick. The 5W-20 version is very "popular" as it is spec'd by many auto makers.

Am I splitting hairs here? Are these two oils two different animals?
Engine in mind is spec'd for 5W-20.

Thanks for your advice.
 
If the vehicle manufacturer recommends 5w30, that's what I'd use. If the vehicle manufacturer recommends 5w-20, that's what I'd use. Now begin the speculation. I think both products contain group II/II+ and group III. With that said, I think the 5w-20 probably contains more group III than the 5w30. So I think the base oil composition between the two oils is different, but the additive packages are probably the same.
 
With 73K on your vehicle....I would go with the 5w30...and consider going to a high milage oil like Valvoline MaxLife. Use the SYN or Blend and shoot for longer OCI's.
____________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE 2.3L / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w20 / OCI 7000 +/-
Pureolator PureOne / Redline SL=1 fuel Sys Cleaner
 
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
With 73K on your vehicle....I would go with the 5w30...and consider going to a high milage oil like Valvoline MaxLife. Use the SYN or Blend and shoot for longer OCI's.
____________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE 2.3L / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w20 / OCI 7000 +/-
Pureolator PureOne / Redline SL=1 fuel Sys Cleaner

High mileage oil isn't needed!
 
If my car allowed for both, then i'd go with the 5w20. However my car does not allow for 5w20 so 5w30 it is
wink.gif
 
I have yet to see a jug of MC 5-30 Semi Synthetic anywhere.
But I also would like to know how tough it is, compared to the 5-20.
Does it shear more? Less synthetic in the package?
 
NO scientific evidence here but my 91 f150 5.0 ran just fine with the motorcraft 5w30. I'll be using it again.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I have yet to see a jug of MC 5-30 Semi Synthetic anywhere.
But I also would like to know how tough it is, compared to the 5-20.
Does it shear more? Less synthetic in the package?


I remember reading somewhere 4 or 5 years ago, I believe Ford had published a comparison between the 5W-20 synthetic blend and what I remember to be MC 5w30 (not a blend at the time) and words mentioning 5W-20 blend out performed the 5w30, but I could be wrong and I realize the comparison isn't apples to apples.

I'm not sure that MC 5w30 blend is just a thicker version of the MC 5W-20 blend.

I haven't seen MC 5w30 in a jug either. I have no problem with the qt. size as it is cheap enough either way.

MC 5W-20 blend "may" be tougher than MC 5w30 blend. Ford may have put everything into R&D of the excellent MC 5W-20 and left MC 5w30 as is.
 
I like Maxlife semi syn(blend)oils because they are very robust and will help prevent oil leaks. People that say that High Mileage oils are not need make zero sense. Some of the High Mileage oils on the market have much better add packs then the plain jane conventional oils. For a few bucks more you are crazy not too buy the better Maxlife blend High Mileage oils.

Why do so many think that High Mileage oils are just for stopping leaks... They clean better and also help PREVENT oil seepage.
 
Last edited:
I bought some 10w30 Motorcraft for 1.50/qt, good deal!

Isn't the Vulcan one of the engines that call for 5w30 and not back spec'd? Or am I thinking of a different engine?
 
Don't know about the Vulcan, but the Ford/Mazda 2.5 liter V6 "KL" series engine was one that specifically did not get back-spec'd to 5w20. I have no idea why.
 
I have seen 5quart semisynth jugs regularly in 5W30 and 5W20 at my local Walmart.

They definitely exist
 
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
I like Maxlife semi syn(blend)oils because they are very robust and will help prevent oil leaks. People that say that High Mileage oils are not need make zero sense. Some of the High Mileage oils on the market have much better add packs then the plain jane conventional oils. For a few bucks more you are crazy not too buy the better Maxlife blend High Mileage oils.

Why do so many think that High Mileage oils are just for stopping leaks... They clean better and also help PREVENT oil seepage.


I have to agree with Boss302fan.....MaxLife is a great, robust oil, and it make no sense to go any other way, once your vehicle is well worn in, and in the 75,000 mile area.

Your vehicle dosn't need to be leaking to use it...you use it to prevent possible future leaking.
_________________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE 2.3L / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w30 / OCI 7,500 +/-
Purolator PureOne 10241 / change out each oil change
Redline SL-1 Complete Fuel Sys Cleaner
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
I like Maxlife semi syn(blend)oils because they are very robust and will help prevent oil leaks. People that say that High Mileage oils are not need make zero sense. Some of the High Mileage oils on the market have much better add packs then the plain jane conventional oils. For a few bucks more you are crazy not too buy the better Maxlife blend High Mileage oils.

Why do so many think that High Mileage oils are just for stopping leaks... They clean better and also help PREVENT oil seepage.


I have to agree with Boss302fan.....MaxLife is a great, robust oil, and it make no sense to go any other way, once your vehicle is well worn in, and in the 75,000 mile area.

Your vehicle dosn't need to be leaking to use it...you use it to prevent possible future leaking.
_________________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE 2.3L / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w30 / OCI 7,500 +/-
Purolator PureOne 10241 / change out each oil change
Redline SL-1 Complete Fuel Sys Cleaner


Evidence would be nice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
2017 Elantra 5W-20 to 5W-30?
Replies
16
Views
534
burnbomber
T
Which oil to buy based on engine sound? 5w-30, 10w-30, or 10w40?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
3K
CleanSump
Klutch9
Talk me out of using 0w-20 in my Explorer 2.3T (specs 5w-30)
3 4 5
Replies
87
Views
2K
Bigvman23
3
5w-30 too thick for modern cars?
5 6 7
Replies
123
Views
14K
Raven1
S
Recommendation regarding mixing A3/B4 oil with 20% of C3 or API oil
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
Titan
Back
Top Bottom