Current fill is ST 0w-20 HM & MC FL-400s.
Car is MT with a PowerWorks supercharger package (214 whp @ 7,000 rpm and 72 degrees ambient), 286,485 miles—187,485 miles with the supercharger installed. Internals are OEM/stock Zetec, and the car does not have variable timing and uses an external (i.e. non-oil dipped) timing belt. I replaced the oil pan & gasket and the old (original) pan had only an incredibly thin film of oil on it; I also replaced the valve cover gasket and the top end/valve cover had only a slight "film" on it (4,500 miles ago in winter).
Thus, last oil change was in winter, ~4500 miles ago (I maintain close-to-OEM 5,000 mile OCIs), but as the temperatures have risen, the car has developed a very audible "tick" (although it isn't of course clear if the oil is the cause). This is the first time I've rolled into summer with 0w-20 but previous winters I used other 0w-20s.
Recently, the weather has spiked here (near Allentown, PA/Philadelphia region) to 91+ F, and the 90s look like they are here to stay for the duration of the summer/early fall, so I'd like to change to a different viscosity than 0w-20. I realize there may be several options my engine may enjoy, as the miles and years inexorably accrue
My commute to work includes relatively steep backcountry hills, painful stop-n-go, highway cruising, and needing to merge onto the highway (with traffic flowing at 60-70 mph) from a dead stop necessitating WOT launches, all in one "simple" drive.
Note: I've reviewed oils on the PQIA website, read threads in this forum, the Euro oil forum, even the HDEO forum ("5w-30 gas truck" et al.), and checked out "boutique" oil websites, my various focus forums, and even reviews on Amazon & WM apps...but will ultimarely rely on the expertise/experience here.
I am hoping to change my oil this weekend, and as my thread title notes, I'm looking for recommendations. While I'd like to purchase from WM due to the convenience of "one run & done", I'm open to anything from a 5w-30 to heck, a 0w-40.
(Maybe I'll just pour some Lucas Karo Syrup Emulator in the crankcase & call it a day! ***JUST KIDDING***)
Thank you for your input!
—Scott
Car is MT with a PowerWorks supercharger package (214 whp @ 7,000 rpm and 72 degrees ambient), 286,485 miles—187,485 miles with the supercharger installed. Internals are OEM/stock Zetec, and the car does not have variable timing and uses an external (i.e. non-oil dipped) timing belt. I replaced the oil pan & gasket and the old (original) pan had only an incredibly thin film of oil on it; I also replaced the valve cover gasket and the top end/valve cover had only a slight "film" on it (4,500 miles ago in winter).
Thus, last oil change was in winter, ~4500 miles ago (I maintain close-to-OEM 5,000 mile OCIs), but as the temperatures have risen, the car has developed a very audible "tick" (although it isn't of course clear if the oil is the cause). This is the first time I've rolled into summer with 0w-20 but previous winters I used other 0w-20s.
Recently, the weather has spiked here (near Allentown, PA/Philadelphia region) to 91+ F, and the 90s look like they are here to stay for the duration of the summer/early fall, so I'd like to change to a different viscosity than 0w-20. I realize there may be several options my engine may enjoy, as the miles and years inexorably accrue
My commute to work includes relatively steep backcountry hills, painful stop-n-go, highway cruising, and needing to merge onto the highway (with traffic flowing at 60-70 mph) from a dead stop necessitating WOT launches, all in one "simple" drive.
Note: I've reviewed oils on the PQIA website, read threads in this forum, the Euro oil forum, even the HDEO forum ("5w-30 gas truck" et al.), and checked out "boutique" oil websites, my various focus forums, and even reviews on Amazon & WM apps...but will ultimarely rely on the expertise/experience here.
I am hoping to change my oil this weekend, and as my thread title notes, I'm looking for recommendations. While I'd like to purchase from WM due to the convenience of "one run & done", I'm open to anything from a 5w-30 to heck, a 0w-40.
(Maybe I'll just pour some Lucas Karo Syrup Emulator in the crankcase & call it a day! ***JUST KIDDING***)
Thank you for your input!
—Scott
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