Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Looking at both the F53 chassis and the E450 cab configurations:
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_C...-US_07_2014.pdf
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_C...-US_12_2014.pdf
They both call for 5w-20 engine oil for the Triton 6.8L for 2015 vehicles. However, I want to note that folks often mistake what is recommended for what is required. They recommend grades; they require lubes that meet Ford spec (in this case WSS-M2C945-A). There are a whole host of lubes that meet that spec. And they don't have to be "syn" or "semi-syn" either. I will note this right from the manual on page 117:
"Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Only use fluid that meets Ford specifications". They have had that in the manuals for years, but many still live by the flawed misinformation touted on the 'net.
I can assure you that if your friend wants to go up one grade, it won't likely harm the engine. But OTOH, there's no proof to show it's going to help, either. The severe service factor for these MH chassis, with towing, still makes for a 5k mile OFCI. I have a TON of UOA data on the mod-motor engines, and they generally don't alter the wear rates with oil vis differences. And to be pre-emptive before you ask, just use a decent brand name filter that is spec'd for the application. No - your not going to find a "better" filter by using something larger. UOA wear data shows the Ford mod-motors simply don't respond to filter or lube selections. They wear very well, overall. One's loyalty to brands or biased preferences might matter to your brain, but it does NOT reflect as such in the crankcase. I've got probably 750 UOAs on the 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L engines. I lay aside desires and stick to facts. Facts don't lie. My point boils down to this .... it won't help or hurt the engine to use a 5w-30. Some here are going to tell you that it will do "better" with a thicker oil. Well, I'd like to see the proof of their claim. Because I don't see it at all. I've seen everything from 5w-20 to 10w-40 used in these motors, and generally the wear rates never are affected. So why risk warranty if the performance does not change with the vis selection? AFTER warranty has expired, do what he wants to do. But again, it simply does not matter to the crankcase, despite how much it offends BITOG feelings.
The specs call for LV tranny fluid. I'd change it about every 30k miles, given the service factor.
You didn't ask, but the rear diff calls for a lifetime fill of either 75w-90 or 75w-140. I'm not a fan of "lifetime" fills, but there's no reason to change it uber-frequently either. It only has 15k miles on the vehicle. Change it now, or not; probably won't matter one way or another. I'd change it once before 30k miles at some point, and then not worry about it after that until 100k miles.
Please note ...
Anytime someone wants to know about how to service a Ford vehicle, visit this site:
www.motorcraftservice.com
put in the region, look up "owner's information" under the "free resources" menu, and put in the vehicle data.
Lost manuals are no excuse these days!
Thanks for taking the time to post all the info. I appreciate it. Thanks to all. One question I can't answer : Did ford "back spec" the oil viscosity change & if so to what year ? Put another way : If he runs 5w-30 will that void his warranty? Is it very difficult to install oil & Tranny fluid temp gauges on something like this? Would be nice to have.
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