Need recommendation for 02 Taurus with 3.0L Duratec

[Greggy_D]

Hi there...new guy here.

I have an '02 Taurus with the 3.0L Duratec. I've owned the car almost 3 years and have 48,000 miles on her. My oil change ritual usually incorporates M1 5w30, which is usually run to around 7000-8000 miles, along with a MC filter. Every once in a while I get lazy and take the car to the Ford dealer where they install MC 5w-20. Ford recommends 5w-20 and 5000 OCI's.

I currently live just outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan where summer temps consistently hit 80-90 degrees, with 100 degree days thrown in every here and there. Conversely, during winter it can get butt-freezing cold. This winter has seen 0 degree days, but typically it's been in the teens almost every morning.

Here are my questions to the brain trust on this board (in your opinion):

1. Regarding the "regular" version of M1, what would you use during summer or winter? 0w-30, 5w-20, 5w30, or 10w30? I'm open to different viscosities for different seasons.

2. Regarding the new EP version of M1, what would you use during summer or winter? 5w30 or 10w30?

3. Would you recommend an AutoRx flush at this point with 48,000 miles on the engine?

I'm partial to sticking with M1 since it works for me (I've used it for 15 years) and is readily available in jugalicious sizes at Wally World, about 10 minutes from my house.

Thanks in advance guys, and also thanks for some fantastic info in past posts.

 

[TooSlick]

1)5w-20 - mainly for better gas mileage

2)5w30 - same reason as above

3) no - should be very clean


TS

 

[mikemc]

1) and 2) 5w30 is fine for all year use with M1.
3) Shouldn't be necessary given your maintenence ritual.

 

[crossbow]

The Mazda 6's have excellent UOA's with 0w-20 and other lightweight 20 wt oils on the same engine. Cept ours is pushing 220 hp (and up to 260 modified), still with excellent results on 20 wt's.

The engine seems to take best to either 20 or 30 wts, but don't be worried to run the fantastically great (and inexpensive) motorcraft 5w-20 semi-synthetic, as its not going to do any harm to your car.

http://www.mazda6tech.com/Articles/Maintenance/Used-Oil-Analysis-2.html

The 6s's are the 3.0 duratecs.

 

[Greggy_D]

Can you take MC 5w-20 to 8,000 or 10,000 miles in this engine?

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Can you take MC 5w-20 to 8,000 or 10,000 miles in this engine?

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I've read some recent UOAs that went with 6K with vehicles similar to yours.

 

[crossbow]

It seems to do good with 5k intervals. Considering the price (you can get it for 1.20-1.40/qt) most people don't have any problem running it 5k intervals.

 

[pscholte]

I recommend the Elixer (GC 0W-30) as I am running it quite happily in a Taurus Vulcan 3.0L and I believe it would be perfect for you to run year round at 6K+ intervals in Wolverine Land. (I see temps from -10º to 90º under the demanding conditions of 6000'+ altitude, hilly driving. I also run it in an Audi twin turbo which has seen 100º at high speeds in Nevada.) It is designed for your winters and is a "thick" 30 wt which easily handles up to 100º. Your choice obviously, especially if you are happy with the M1, but something for you to think about. I agree with Ted that if the car has been "raised" on synthetic you don't need to do an Rx treatment.

 

[DirtyApe]

The owner's manual that came with it specs 5w-20 , as does the oil filler cap. That's what I follow. I'm not going to second-guess the people who designed the engine, after a lot of thought on the matter. Just my thoughts.

 

[Greggy_D]

quote:

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Originally posted by mh2800:
The owner's manual that came with it specs 5w-20 , as does the oil filler cap. That's what I follow. I'm not going to second-guess the people who designed the engine, after a lot of thought on the matter. Just my thoughts.

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I see where you are coming from, but this same engine previously called for 5w30 in years prior. Even though Ford adopted this 5w-20 CAFE mentality, I don't see the harm in running 5w30. Especially since NOTHING changed on the engine when Ford made the 5w30 to 5w-20 switch.

 

[jthorner]

Your regular M1 5w30 with a Motorcraft filter and 7-8,000 mile OCIs should do you just fine.

I wouldn't push the Motorcraft 5W-20 past Ford's recommended interval. Are you sure that is what the dealer is using? Lots of car dealers use something other than the factory branded oil.

John

 

[Greggy_D]

Yes sir. I'm positive the Ford dealer is using MC 5w-20. Got into a discussion with the techs there about what they use. This Ford dealer is unlike any I've seen. Upfront, honest (especially to my wife), and does not try to rip you off.

 

[JohnnyO]

UOA's of M1 0w-20 vs. Motorcraft 5w-20 blend in our 2003 Taurus.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002134

 

[road_rascal]

I use Mobil 1 5w30 and the FL820S filter in my '99 Taurus 24v and change it out every six months (May and November) which usually equals 4-6000 miles. It does a lot of short trips hence the 'severe' service schedule.

 

[Greggy_D]

Thanks JohnnyO....that's some great info.

Another question.....what the lowest cold temp that MC 5w-20 will flow? Is it equal (or near equal) to M1 5w30?