Motorcraft website

[MustangGT]

I was at the motorcraft website and entered my info (97 mustang 4.6) and under the oil section they recommended 5w-20 (no suprise I think they recommend this for new and older Fords now) anyways under optional oils they listed 5w30 (what my manual says..) but to my suprise they also listed 10w30 as an optional oil that is approved for use, I remember there was some talk here that a thinner oil such as 5w30 was needed to reach the top of the engine faster? Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by MustangGT:
I was at the motorcraft website and entered my info (97 mustang 4.6) and under the oil section they recommended 5w-20 (no suprise I think they recommend this for new and older Fords now) anyways under optional oils they listed 5w30 (what my manual says..) but to my suprise they also listed 10w30 as an optional oil that is approved for use, I remember there was some talk here that a thinner oil such as 5w30 was needed to reach the top of the engine faster? Thoughts?

Thanks

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At anything above freezing, a 5w30 and a 10w30 will be about the same "thickness." It's only at temps approaching zero where a 5w30 is going to get to the top end faster than a 10w30 if we are comparing basically the same oils of different weights. A PAO based 10w30 will probably flow faster than a conventional 5w30 in the cold.

 

[Jakebrake]

I use Mobil 1 10w30 in my 2003 Mach 1 (4.6 DOHC) and around here it can reach zero in the winter a lot...it seems to get to the top end with no noise from the engine and fast pressure rise.

 

[TC]

Yeah, I agree with GMan. It's primarily a cold weather issue. Going 5w is helpful (if not mandatory) for frigid starts, while 10w30 is often suggested for temps above 100F if I recall correctly.

Borderline pumping temp for Pennzoil 5w30 is -31F.
Borderline pumping temp for Pennzoil 10w30 is -22F.