Oil Viscosity and Warranty Requirements

[oddrodtodd]

I know this question has been asked before but I just need a yes or no answer so I won't take up too much of anyone's time:
Could Ford void the warranty on my 2007 Mercury Mariner for using a 5W-30 oil (Schaeffer's #701) that exceeds their WSS-M2C929-A specification, instead of a 5W-20 WSS-M2C930-A Oil?
I know all the arguments for and against lower viscocity oils, so I'm not interested in another opinion. I would just like a simple objective yes or no answer.
Thank you for your time, Todd

 

[simple_gifts]

Simply put, if the engine catastrophically fails what oil would you feel more comfortable having in the crankcase?

 

[westex39]

I don't think so. How would the dealer know unless you tell them.

 

[oddrodtodd]

Quote:

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I don't think so. How would the dealer know unless you tell them.

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I wouldn't be trying to hide the fact from them-oil analysis would tell the tale anyway. I'm just curious if they would technically have any legal basis to say: "We won't honor the warranty because you didn't use the oil that we recomended."
Todd

 

[Big Jim]

Quote:

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I know this question has been asked before but I just need a yes or no answer so I won't take up too much of anyone's time:
Could Ford void the warranty on my 2007 Mercury Mariner for using a 5W-30 oil (Schaeffer's #701) that exceeds their WSS-M2C929-A specification, instead of a 5W-20 WSS-M2C930-A Oil?
I know all the arguments for and against lower viscocity oils, so I'm not interested in another opinion. I would just like a simple objective yes or no answer.
Thank you for your time, Todd

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The answer to your question is yes, but I'll qualify that by saying that it isn't likely.

Really now, why take a chance. Just use the stuff the factory recommends as long as it's in warranty and you won't need to worry about it.

 

[westex39]

I understand your warranty concerns. I have two vehicles that are in warranty now. I worry that if I violate their recommended specifications for maintenance and fluids that it could void my warranty. I would err on the side of caution and use the 5W-20 spec oil until out of warranty. there are some very good reports on this site that show that 5W-20 oils show very good wear analysis.

 

[dodge1]

yes

 

[JohnBrowning]

Look up the word "recomendation" in Websters and see what it says! You are not required to use 5W20. If you use another oil other then that and have a lube related part fail under warranty you could open yourself up to a warranty dispute.If they got really dirty you would have to do the third party arbitration and then if that did not work you would have to go to court over it.They would have to prove that the oil used was the cause of the failure. I can tell you though that it almost never happens. The only way they would hassle you would be if the engine was all full of sludge or key parts had turned crimson and blue. A 5W30 would be diffacult to distigish from a 5W20 once it had been in use 1000 miles or so.If you are going to lose sleep over this or can not keep your mouth shut in the presence of the service writer or mechanic then use the recomended product other wise use what you like!

 

[cfromc]

They could deny a claim but, in a court of law, they would need to prove that the oil caused the failure-very difficult to do.

 

[Big Jim]

Quote:

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Look up the word "recomendation" in Websters and see what it says! You are not required to use 5W20. If you use another oil other then that and have a lube related part fail under warranty you could open yourself up to a warranty dispute.If they got really dirty you would have to do the third party arbitration and then if that did not work you would have to go to court over it.They would have to prove that the oil used was the cause of the failure. I can tell you though that it almost never happens. The only way they would hassle you would be if the engine was all full of sludge or key parts had turned crimson and blue. A 5W30 would be diffacult to distigish from a 5W20 once it had been in use 1000 miles or so.If you are going to lose sleep over this or can not keep your mouth shut in the presence of the service writer or mechanic then use the recomended product other wise use what you like!

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Funny thing. I can't find the word "recommended" or anything like it in either of my Ford owner's manuals where they talk about oil specifications.

No matter how you think it should work is it really worth the hassle when all you need to do is use the specified oil in the first place. Not all Ford service managers were are understanding as I was.

Generally the question about maintenance records never comes up unless it is obvious that mintenance was lacking. But why take a chance?

 

[oddrodtodd]

Thank you folks!
I think I have my answer.
Todd

 

[Cyprs]

To jump in late, on my experience, my Nissan manual calls for an energy conserving SL gas rated 5-30 oil, it will tolerate 10-40 SL gas rated above -18C.

I give the specs for 0-30 XD3 HDEO non energy conserving syn oil couple years ago on a brand new X-Trail, (at time Nissan frowned on syn oil). When the Nissan service tech saw the specs on this XD3 0-30 he had most the staff running their new Nissans on this non recommended oil by Nissan. They were blown away with specs and price point on this XD3 and highly recommended using it over the 5-30 dino supplied in their shop.

for all it is worth, why not take your oil specs into dealership like I did and get an answer from them in writing if you dont totally trust them?

Cyprs

 

[Lonnie]

In a failed engine it might be difficult to prove much about the oil beyond some gross measurements by lab analysis. They could infer that you were not changing your oil often enough and take a poke at the viscosity but I think they would be more concerned about the general look of the engine internals. If the engine looks like it has been serviced and you have receipts then they will have to keep looking to find out what happened.

We ran 5w-20 in a generator set that called for 15w-40 and the engine failed due to a wrist pin letting go. It was found to not have received a hardning treatment. They ran an analysis on the oil and never said anything about the results. I think they were looking for other indicators, not viscosity. They gave us a new engine. We put 5w-20 in the new engine.