Switched to 5w30 not liking it

[wander2039]

Wasn't expecting this much of the change the Focus. Changed to 5w30 since I wanted to keep everything the same since the Chevy doesn't take 5w20. The Focus has been in the family since 03 with 30k and since then only ran PP 5w20 so I have long term experience on how this engine acts in all weather. Already on the cold mornings with 5w30 it sounds like falling apart, and it hasn't even gotten it's coldest yet! Even after warmed up you can tell some stiffness in the already not so powerful 110hp 2.0L SOHC. Interesting enough gas mileage seems the same or a little better.

Tempted to drain it and put back in 5w20 or 0w20.. only have 200 miles on it seems like a waste! Wonder if it'll thin out after 1k or so.

 

[vssjim]

5w30 and 5w-20 should be the same at 32 degrees, I'm not sure sure how much real change they would make in a car actually running at 212 engine oil temp. Honda used to sat 5w-20 or if not available 5w30 was ok back when 5-20 was new. Are you sure that you are not just over focused on the focus. a little pun intended.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: vssjim
5w30 and 5w-20 should be the same at 32 degrees, I'm not sure sure how much real change they would make in a car actually running at 212 engine oil temp. Honda used to sat 5w-20 or if not available 5w30 was ok back when 5-20 was new. Are you sure that you are not just over focused on the focus. a little pun intended.


Actually, they won't be the same. The 5w30 has a higher HTHS, which makes it a thicker oil at all temperatures.

 

[MrQuackers]

There is that marvelous additive, a cup or so will do it.

 

[SuzukiGoat]

Honest answer... its in your head.

Half the members will want to crucify me for saying it...but yeah.

You could drop 20w50 in most of these engines and unless the driver knows his car.better than himself, and has one gifted buttocks.... most people would never know. The thermostat will control the high end temps, at low temps they are so similar it doesn't matter.

You shouldn't believe even a tenth of what you read on here...and that's a fact. There's a reason I keep disappearing every year or so...only Soooo much misinformation is tolerable.

 

[JamesBond]

If it's the 2.0 SPI engine that was in the Escort, they ran for many years with 5w30. Your engine will be fine.

I have one of those engines in a '97 Tracer and always put 5w30 in it. I hate the car and the engine, but it keeps on truckin'.

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: vssjim
5w30 and 5w-20 should be the same at 32 degrees, I'm not sure sure how much real change they would make in a car actually running at 212 engine oil temp. Honda used to sat 5w-20 or if not available 5w30 was ok back when 5-20 was new. Are you sure that you are not just over focused on the focus. a little pun intended.


Actually, they won't be the same. The 5w30 has a higher HTHS, which makes it a thicker oil at all temperatures.


HTHS has nothing to do with cold flow properties.

 

[bvance554]

Originally Posted By: SuzukiGoat
Honest answer... its in your head.

Half the members will want to crucify me for saying it...but yeah.


I agree with it being in your head.

 

[stchman]

To the OP:

Why did you switch from 5W-20 to 5w30?

I recommend using what the manufacturer recommends.

 

[ueberooo]

Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
There is that marvelous additive, a cup or so will do it.

yes, if you can do so without overfilling, put in a cup of that thin and very mysterious oil and you'll be set.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: ueberooo
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
There is that marvelous additive, a cup or so will do it.

yes, if you can do so without overfilling, put in a cup of that thin and very mysterious oil and you'll be set.


That'll work just fine. Or if it really bothers you drain it into a clean catch pan, strain it and pour it into a clean container and use it in something else. Either way, tweaking, changing, or leaving it alone you'll be fine.

 

[Lubener]

Mind over matter.

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: SuzukiGoat
Honest answer... its in your head.

I totally agree.

We're talking about 2% difference at most in FE, probably less. Any differences in power will be similar.

A 2% difference is like eating two medium sized eggs, where one was 50 grams and the other was imperceptibly bigger at 51 grams. And then saying something like: "Wow, what a difference between those two eggs. That first one hardly even touched the sides of my gut, but holly cow that second one was so big I could hardly even finish it." Seriously if someone said that to you then you'd probably laugh in their face.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: Gabe
Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: vssjim
5w30 and 5w-20 should be the same at 32 degrees, I'm not sure sure how much real change they would make in a car actually running at 212 engine oil temp. Honda used to sat 5w-20 or if not available 5w30 was ok back when 5-20 was new. Are you sure that you are not just over focused on the focus. a little pun intended.


Actually, they won't be the same. The 5w30 has a higher HTHS, which makes it a thicker oil at all temperatures.


HTHS has nothing to do with cold flow properties.


The HTHS still makes it a thicker oil.

 

[sparky123]

You're using PP w/your other Ford vehicle. I'd continue using what makes you happy. Change out the oil. In my wife's 05' ZX5 I've used mostly 5w30 since I've been changing out the oil. Current fill is 5w-20 Motorcraft Syn. Blend however. The other two cars I change out the oil use 5w30, so most of my stock is 5w30 oil. Never used QS. I will say my Mom's 03' Corolla seems to really run the best w/Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. I'd change out your oil right now and consider it a small leason learned in your situation. Bill

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: JamesBond
If it's the 2.0 SPI engine that was in the Escort, they ran for many years with 5w30. Your engine will be fine.

I have one of those engines in a '97 Tracer and always put 5w30 in it. I hate the car and the engine, but it keeps on truckin'.


I had a 98 Escort as well and don't recall this behavior and I'll ran back then was 5w30. I need to refresh my memory but I think there is minor differences in the Foci and Escort motors. I'm not saying it's going to blow up anytime soon.. although with the valve seats it defiantly could!

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: sparky123
You're using PP w/your other Ford vehicle. I'd continue using what makes you happy. Change out the oil. In my wife's 05' ZX5 I've used mostly 5w30 since I've been changing out the oil. Current fill is 5w-20 Motorcraft Syn. Blend however. The other two cars I change out the oil use 5w30, so most of my stock is 5w30 oil. Never used QS. I will say my Mom's 03' Corolla seems to really run the best w/Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. I'd change out your oil right now and consider it a small leason learned in your situation. Bill


Yeah your right.. the difference may be more with the QS vs PP although one would think they would be relatively the same. Had too many lessons this month it seems trying to save money! Better watch out saying the Corolla runs better with 5w30 people will think your crazy... although those same people couldn't tell if their engines are misfiring even with stuff falling off the dash!

 

[wander2039]

Quaker State:

There is a viscosity difference in the 2.. not saying it should make that much of a difference but after driving the car this long it's either that or Quaker State or I'm finally going crazy like my wife..

 

[Nick1994]

I'm sorry but, it is a Ford Focus after all, and they typically already sound like they're falling apart. My mom had a 2003 Wagon with the 2.0 Zetec, never been in a car that had so much rattles and vibrations at 40k miles. Alternator died then too and starter was starting to go out, it was totaled at 52k. Thank God, she drives a Buick now. The Focus was obliterated in the front end in the accident while the other car was nearly flawless.

 

[Cardenio327]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
There is a viscosity difference in the 2.. not saying it should make that much of a difference but after driving the car this long it's either that or Quaker State or I'm finally going crazy like my wife..


You're not going crazy. I plugged the viscosity of each of the two oils into a viscosity calculator and came up with 464 cSt @ 32 °F for the QS 5w30 and 341 cSt @ 32 °F for the PP 5w-20. That's a substantial difference, I don't doubt one bit that your engine feels a little rougher at cold start. As to damaging the engine, I doubt it, but a perceived change, absolutely.