Which oil grade to use?

[RF Overlord]

My recently-acquired 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis is nearing it's first oil change under my watch. Car has 178,592. It was done by the previous owner about 3800 miles ago. Under the cam covers appears nice and clean and it hasn't used any oil that I can tell since I've owned it.

So. My choices are 5W-20, 5W-20HM, and 5w30. Asking for the collective's opinion.

 

[ripcord]

It's going to be really hard to screw this up. The grade isn't that important. The brand isn't that important. If you change every 3800 miles, and the engine is still in good shape, it will likely last a long, long time.

 

[gfh77665]

Any of those would work with ease. If it was mine, I would use the 5w30 since spring then summer is approaching.

 

[dippschtick]

5w30. It's warm and comfortable.

 

[Furious]

I would probably run Quakerstate Full Synthetic High Mileage 5w30, very good oil and among the cheapest as well.

 

[JavierH19]

Proverbial Mobil 1 0w-40.

 

[walterjay]

5-30 HM

 

[We're Metals]

Whatever is cheapest of the 5w-20 through 5w30 range.

 

[RF Overlord]

I would probably run Quakerstate Full Synthetic High Mileage 5w30, very good oil and among the cheapest as well.

I used Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5w30 in the ex's 2003 Marauder with about the same miles on it, and I was impressed with how smooth the engine sounded. Used that oil for the rest of the time she owned it, running 5000-mile OCIs. (she sold it at 220,000)

I think that's the front-runner unless someone convinces me otherwise.

 

[Vitamin Yoda]

Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5w30, Pennzoil Platinum Euro L, Quaker State Ultimate Protection 5w30. Why no 0W? Because NOACK.

 

[dnewton3]

The mod motor 4.6L 2v literally does not care what grade you use as long as it's anything from a 0w-20 to a 10w-40; wear rates are not affected by the grade.
In MA, I would think 5w-20 or 5w30 would be a good year-round choice.

 

[BISCUT]

Proverbial Mobil 1 0w-40.

+1 on what I would use.

 

[JohnnyO]

That engine runs basically forever.
I would use a high mileage 5w30 Full Synthetic or blend, Motorcraft filter, and change every 5000 miles.

 

[MalibuRam65]

QS FS HM 5w30 is all you need use with confidence

 

[ATex7239]

PZ rebate is out. Some PP 20 or 30 would work well.