I am using the information listed and available at "motorcraftservice" website
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/S...p;VEHICLE=F-550
It is not a "requirement" to run the 5w-40, even for severe service ...
And I quote page #45 of the 2011 F-550 Diesel supplement #5:
"
The following conditions define severe operation for which engine operation with SAE 5W-40 API CJ-4 is recommended."
(note the wording there; not required but
recommended" as I have underlined)
I also quote that same manual, page #43 regarding oil lube specs:
"
For normal or severe service, use Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil conforming to Ford specifications as listed in the Maintenance product specifications and capacities section in this chapter or API service categories CJ-4 or CJ-4/SM."
(note the wording and mutiple use of the word "or" as I have underlined).
As for viscosity, here is what is states on page #43:
"
The use of correct oil viscosities for diesel engines is important for satisfactory operation."
(note that it says "satisfactory operation"; it does NOT state that any specific vis is a requirement for warranty compliance; the viscosities listed represent the acceptable ragne of grades that are recommended for given conditions, but they do not imply a forfieture of warranty coverage).
You see, any lube that meets Ford specs is acceptabble. Viscosity grades are not as "stringent" as most folks think. Any lube that meets their criteria is accepable. Synthetics, even for severe use, are not required; they are only recommended.
Warranty cannot be denined based upon a "recommendation". Ford also "recommends" the use of "BP" fuels; says so right on many of their gas caps as installed at the factory. But that is not a "requirement" for the purposes of warranty. And so it goes with lubes as well.
When it comes to your truck, any qualfied (CJ-4) dino lube in a grade we'd see on the shelf is sufficient to honor Ford's requirements for the purpose of warranty.
You can use 5w-40 with no issues, except that it will cost you an arm and leg for your short annual OCIs. And I would remind you that your vehicle will probably bump against the warranty calendar LONG before you will ever wear it out with distance.
As for the topic of the 40 grade & biofuel, I cannot conceive why Ford thinks a 15w-40 is OK for biofuel, but a 10w-30 isn't. No rationale there in my mind.
And before you want to argue about what some words mean, I'll throw out this, just to show you how even Ford cannot agree with itself, regarding your truck:
Same manual, page #9:
"
It is recommended that the engine block heater be used for starting when the temperature is -10°F (-23°C) or colder."
But here is the "tips" sheet info that owner's sign when taking delivery:
"
The engine block heater is required when the vehicle is to be started at temperatures below -10F (-23C)."
OK Ford - which is it? Are you "required" to use the block heater, or is it only "recommended"? Two different docuemnts, for that very same vehicle, claiming two different approaches in the same environmental condition. Are you supposed to haul around a small inverter generator to fire up when it's really cold out at the mall, so that you can plug in the block heater while at a movie? Absurd ...
When it comes to warranty, if you chose to use a dino CJ-4 10w-30 and had a warranty claim, the burden of proof would be on Ford to show that your decision was unsound; hard to believe they could do that given the wording in their owner's manual!
Here's where you and I probably agree in regard to your thread ...
On the matter of principle, they did work you didn't request, and threw out some expensive oil way before it's prime. They owe you some kind of restitution.
Here's where you and I probably disagree ...
You were bound to waste the fluid anyway; you were not likley to come anywhere near the service life of the fluid. In fact, even the 15w-40 they used to replace it is more than adequate for your use, and you can easily get plenty of use out of what they put in; even dino 15w-40 will outlast your probable OCI plan.
