Ford 5.0L Coyote Oil Specs

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ZeeOSix

ZeeOSix

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Ford specifies to use their "Motorcraft 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend" in the 5.0L Coyote, but specifies to use their "Motorcraft 5W-50 Full Synthetic" in the Boss 302. The 2015 Coyote is basically a Boss 302 without the same intake manifold.

Some guys report engine ticking (aka "BBQ igniter tick") after the initial oil change when they use the 5W-20, so wondering if the ticking when hot is because of the thinner oil. Why couldn't the 5W-50 be used instead, or even a 5W-30 that meets the Ford oil spec (if there is one out there)?
Is it really necessary to run 5W-20?
 
Basically and actually are not the same thing. Unless you can confirm identical oil galleys, bearing clearances, and oil pump, stick with what's recommended... at least until the warranty is up.
 
I was looking around the 'net for this question earlier this year but in respect to my 2011. From everything I saw and read, it seems like a lot of people run 5w20, a lot of people go thicker like 5w30 or 5w40 in hot weather or heavy use, and some people go 0w20 in cold weather. Nobody has reported any viscosity related issues that I was able to find. That includes thin oil hot weather towing and thicker oil cooler seasons. So basically, it seems like the coyote is about as picky as those modulars before them.

That said, I'm sticking to 5w20 with a quality synthetic. Some engine block noise, but I suspect its related to the all alum block and heads more than oil viscosity.
 
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Ford specifies to use their "Motorcraft 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend" in the 5.0L Coyote, but specifies to use their "Motorcraft 5W-50 Full Synthetic" in the Boss 302. The 2015 Coyote is basically a Boss 302 without the same intake manifold.

Some guys report engine ticking (aka "BBQ igniter tick") after the initial oil change when they use the 5W-20, so wondering if the ticking when hot is because of the thinner oil. Why couldn't the 5W-50 be used instead, or even a 5W-30 that meets the Ford oil spec (if there is one out there)?
Is it really necessary to run 5W-20?


The new Corvettes are the same way.

GM specifies 5W-30 in the new 650HP LT4, but then states in the manual that 15W-50 can be used if the car is going to be used competitively.
 
I've read of ticking with Track Pack cars running 5W-50. Doesn't appear to be related to viscosity.
 
There was just a long thread about this a month or so ago.
Apparentley the only difference between the 5w50 speced track pack gt and the regular 5w20 gt is some additional cooling on the track pack gt.
Cafe strikes again!
 
The boss 302 has a different intake manifold and crank as far as I know. Also, pretty sure it has an oil cooler as well.

I used motorcraft 5w20 in the 2012 5.0 mustang I had. Ran smooth and ran well.

With am 8 quart sump the oil should be gently used.

Ford fixed the cam phasers deals years ago. Tick could be completely non oil related.

My 06 5.4l f150 had tick from the injectors before it developed cam phaser tick.
 
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Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Ford specifies to use their "Motorcraft 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend" in the 5.0L Coyote, but specifies to use their "Motorcraft 5W-50 Full Synthetic" in the Boss 302. The 2015 Coyote is basically a Boss 302 without the same intake manifold.

Some guys report engine ticking (aka "BBQ igniter tick") after the initial oil change when they use the 5W-20, so wondering if the ticking when hot is because of the thinner oil. Why couldn't the 5W-50 be used instead, or even a 5W-30 that meets the Ford oil spec (if there is one out there)?
Is it really necessary to run 5W-20?


I'm using 50/50 30 and 20 weight right now, once the 20 weight is gone it will be all 30. After spending a lot of time on F150 forums, seems a lot of guys there are using 30 weight oils with no issues.
 
Used Motorcraft 5w20 in my 2012 GT as well without any ticking. Also ran a couple OCI's with Maxlife 5w30 since I had some on hand before I sold the car with around 55k-60k on the odometer.

I've done similarly on my dad's F150 with the 5.0. Some oil changes with Motorcraft 5w20 and recently with Pennzoil Gold 5w30. No problems with either.
 
I don't know what causes the engine tick (nobody seems to really know which is strange), and not all of the Coyote engines seem to suffer from ticking after an oil change. I still can't imagine why an engine would tick after an oil change, especially if the same oil was used. All I could theorize was the hydraulic valve lash adjuster leaked down (?).

I was just thinking maybe some of the Coyote engines are sensitive to thin hot oil for some reason (ie, on the large end of bearing tolerances?), and if anyone tried running a thicker oil to verify the ticking subsided. I see Motorcraft does make a 5W-30 synthetic blend as well as a 5W-30 full synthetic.
 
Originally Posted By: 3311
There was just a long thread about this a month or so ago.
Apparentley the only difference between the 5w50 speced track pack gt and the regular 5w20 gt is some additional cooling on the track pack gt.
Cafe strikes again!


That's what I was thinking also.
 
Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
Have you/ya'll questioned the oil filter?


Haven't seen people saying what filter is used, but a lot of the guys on the Mustang chat boards have their oil changed at the Ford dealership, and then their car starts ticking after the oil change. I would assume the dealerships used a Motorcraft oil filter along with Motorcraft 5W-20 synthetic blend oil.
 
The boss had a forged rotating assembly. So, no not basically the same. Same architecture, same engine family, but not the same.

The boss is meant to be tracked that's why they list the 50 weight. You could daily drive a boss with 5w20.

I would not daily a gt or f150 with a 50w. Just use a 20 weight or 30 weight and sleep well at night.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_(fifth_generation)

Quote:
Ford revived the Boss 302 nameplate for 2012. The standard 2011 Ford Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8 is enhanced with an upgraded intake system, forged rotating assembly, CNC ported heads, revised camshafts and a high flow "runners in the box" intake taken from the 302R racecar.[64] It produces 444 horsepower – a 32 hp (24 kW) over the standard GT’s 412 hp (307 kW). The engine loses about 10 lb·ft (14 N·m) of torque at peak when compared to the standard GT. It is rated at 380 lb·ft (515 N·m). and comes with a six-speed MT-82 manual transmission. A 3.73 rear axle uses carbon fiber plates in its limited slip differential or an optional Torsen differential. While the quad exhaust system made up of two standard Mustang GT outlets and two side pipes that exit on either side of the rear crossover. The side pipes send the exhaust through a set of metal "Attenuation" discs to create an extra growling exhaust sound. The discs are removable and include a spacer plate sized to match aftermarket exhaust dump valves.
 
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The 5W-20 will do just fine. I have no experience with the newer 5.0Ls, but all my Fords get nothing but the recommended 5W-20 & they are flawless. I think Ford knows what's best for the engines they build. However, 5W-30 or 0W-20 could be used no problem. But if you'd like to keep your warranty under honor, stick with 5W-20.
 
The BOSS (Roadrunner) and Coyote were not the same, though based on the same architecture.

However, the Coyote in the Track Pack Mustang called for 5w-50 and was the exact same engine as found in the regular GT save for having an oil cooler and different castration programming.
 
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: 3311
There was just a long thread about this a month or so ago.
Apparentley the only difference between the 5w50 speced track pack gt and the regular 5w20 gt is some additional cooling on the track pack gt.
Cafe strikes again!


That's what I was thinking also.

Yes the cars spec'd for 5W-20 do have electronic management controls in place to deal with very high oil temp's which could happen if you track the car under high ambient temp' conditions. Oil temp's higher than than 230F are required to activate which most owners will never see even when taking part in track day events.
 
That's lower than I would have thought.

My 94 escort would see 230f sustained at 75 mph (3000 rpm) if bucking a headwind.

Somewhat surprised, that's all.
 
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