New Dodge Minivan wanting 5W20 recommendations

[OwnOilChangeGuy]

My wife and I just recently bought a slightly used 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.8L engine. It has 14,500 miles. I figure it was a rental or lease vehicle.

The manual and oil cap call for 5W20. I live in North Texas and it gets hot here.

What is the current thinking about 5W20 oils? Conventional or synthetic? Pennzoil 5w30 conventional goes in my Toyota Tacoma because it was highly regarded on this website when I bought the truck a year and a half ago.

I don't want to open the 5W20 debate, just want to know what is a highly regarded brand of 5W20?

 

[demarpaint]

Pennzoil in conventional or synthetic is perfect. Stick with the 5W20 you'll be fine. Good luck with your mini van and welcome to Bitog.

 

[meangreen01]

PYB

 

[4ever4d]

Motorcraft probably has the best 5-20 on the market imo if you don't mind using a Ford product in a Dodge vehicle.

 

[hate2work]

Is the warranty still in effect, even though you bought it used?

The current thinking about 5W-20 oils is that it will stand the heat no problem. Several good ones to choose from.

 

[bubbatime]

Yeah Motorcraft 5w20 would be my pick. It is excellent. And I really wouldn't call it a Ford product, but a ConocoPhillips product.

 

[Steve S]

If you are going to do extended oil change intervals use a syn oil . If not use a conventional base oil.

 

[OwnOilChangeGuy]

The Dodge minivan has an oil life monitor, so I'll change it according to the OLM or every 5000 miles. The manual specifically says not go exceed 6000 miles between oil changes under any circumstances.

 

[JustinH]

Does that van have a spec for hot weather oil?

Some of them spec two different oils, one for "all climate" usage, then one for hot weather..

If you go with the 5w20 (which I think will work FINE), then buy the one that you can get on sale.

Motorcraft is usually one of the cheapest, and is a great oil. But then again, I would use Walmart supertech in there without a question..

 

[Nick R]

5,000 on Pennzoil Conventional is great. I would also take a look at Havoline DS.

 

[4ever4d]

Yes,good point it is a CP not Ford product!

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 5w20 Extended Protection works well in both Fords.

 

[dgee]

I hear alot of praise for MC 5W-20 around here. Either that or Pennzoil conventional.

Just follow the OLM

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Pennzoil, Valvoline or Motorcraft.

Purolator filters offer best value in Chryslers (my opinion). The Classic filters offer more flow. Pure Ones have more media and a longer lasting ADBV.

 

[tomcat27]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

Is the warranty still in effect, even though you bought it used?

.


yes, the balance of the 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty will be in effect. (as should the emission and corrosion warranties)

I bought a slightly used dodge and had a warranty repair done (leaking trans cooler connection) with no probs

 

[OwnOilChangeGuy]

Thanks. I think I will go with a Wix 51348 oil filter and Pennzoil 5w20 conventional.

 

[NHHEMI]

If it were me I would run a synthetic 5W20 due to the Texas heat. Pennzoil seems to be the brand you have chosen and Platinum or Ultra is pretty cheap at Wal-Mart. Just my

 

[afoulk]

The Motorcraft stuff is hard to beat for the price. My jeep also has the same engine in it, and mine has the lifter tick that seems to be very common among these engines. My last run was with Kendal GT1 Synthetic 5w-20 (also a conocophillips product) and it was the only oil so far that quieted the tick down completely. They are a solid, reliable engine though, and you should have good luck with it.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I have the same engine in my '07 Town & Country. I've used a number of oils in it. Motorcraft 5W-20 and Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 have been my favorite. I've run Mobil 1 5W-20 and Valvoline SynPower 5w30 and Havoline 5w30, but for various reasons, didn't care as much for those as the Motorcraft or PP. Those two run the quietest in my engine. In fact, I'm switching back over to Motorcraft 5W-20 and 3,000 mile OCIs because my oldest daugher is starting kindergarten in the fall and the van will start seeing a ton of short-tripping.

I typically get the Mopar MO-090 filter from Walmart, when I'm there to buy the oil. Your van calls for a smaller filter than mine does, but the MO-090 will fit. You can run a number of filter sizes on that van, but for warranty purposes, it may be best to stick with the correct size. If you do want to go to the next larger size (the MO-090 size), that Mopar filter at Walmart is a proven piece. It's made by Purolator, but to Mopar's specification, including a thread-end coil spring bypass valve, etc. It's a nice filter, and both the filter and the 5-quart jug of oil are less than 20 bucks combined. Great deal.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: OwnOilChangeGuy
Thanks. I think I will go with a Wix 51348 oil filter and Pennzoil 5w20 conventional.


The perfect combination. Just add one more "N" to it though.