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what oil should I use?

A

AliasJerk

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Oct 13, 2003
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So I just did an oil change, and just for poops and giggles I ran over to the mobileoil.com website, they have a program that allows you to tell basic characteristics of your car and based upon the mileage and the engine and driving conditions it reccomends the best oil for your motor. I just put in Mobil 1 7500+ mile Synthetic Blend oil today after seafoaming the intake manifold and running some seafoam in the crankcase for about 5-10 minutes at idle.

But what confuses me is that the Mobil one website suggested that I used 5W20 in my motor, as opposed to 5W30... would this be because I am past the 150K mile point?
 
Its a zetec. Who cares? J/K i would think with more miles the engine the 5-w30 would be better though. just my .02
 
maybe because Ford updated all cars the where speced for 5w30 to 5w20, and this has been discussed many times before ...

run what you want .... I run 10w40 in my zetec ...
 
the reason is for better fuel mileage and in a zetec you can get 1 mpg better overall. as stated above ford released a bulletin earlier advising that 5w20 is now recommended for all contours and mystiques, as well as just about every ford l-m built since 1993. keep researching on the oil websites, there is some facinating improvements in oil and there is no problem running 5w20 and the engine actually runs cooler and if you like you can go 5,000 miles in between changes as well. there will be a lot of old school opinions that will tell you different but the reality is it works. i have been running 5w20 for about 2 years now and have noticed more power, better fuel mileage (about 2mpg better in our windstar) and more power especially when really hot (we commonly get 100 degree temps for weeks on end out here) and have popped off the valve cover to look and see and it is as clean as can be. keep in mind if you push your engine hard you may want to tailor your oil usage around that. contact mobile and ask them.
 
^ Nice post.


I would just run the recommended oil for the car. I wouln't switch over to the new recomendation by ford.
 
Here's the bulletin;

ISSUE:
Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.

ACTION:
All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20.

All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil.

Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil
1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer
1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique
1999-2002 2.0L Cougar
1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer
1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2
2000-2002 2.0L Focus
2001-2002 2.0L Escape
1993-1997 2.3L Ranger
1993-1994 2.3L Mustang
1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz
1998-2001 2.5L Ranger
1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique
1999-2002 2.5L Cougar
2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape
1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable
1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas)
1995-2000 3.0L (Vulcan) Windstar
1993-1994 3.0L (Vulcan) Tempo/Topaz
2000-2002 3.0L 4V Lincoln LS
1995-2002 3.8L Windstar
1993-1997 3.8L Taurus/Sable, Thunderbird/Cougar, Continental
1994-2002 3.8L Mustang
2002-2002 3.9L 4V Lincoln LS
1997-2002 4.2L (SPI) F-150 (under 8500 GVW only), E-Series
1996-2002 4.6L 2V Mustang
1992-2002 4.6L Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
1991-2002 4.6L Town Car
1994-1997 4.6L 2V Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2002 4.6L 4V Mustang Cobra
1995-2002 4.6L 4V Continental
1993-1998 4.6L 4V Mark VIII
1997-2002 4.6L 2V Triton F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), E-Series, Expedition
1993-1999 4.9L E-Series, F-Series
1993-1995 5.0L Mustang/Mustang Cobra
1993-1993 5.0L Thunderbird/Cougar
1997-2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
1993-1996 5.0L E-Series, F-Series, Bronco




2000-2002 5.4L Excursion
1998-2002 5.4L 2V/4V Navigator
1997-2002 5.4L 2V F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), Expedition, E-Series, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1993-1997 5.8L F-Series, Bronco
1993-1996 5.8L E-Series
2000-2002 6.8L Excursion
1997-2002 6.8L E-Series, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1999-2002 6.8L Super Duty F-Series 250 HD/350/450/550 Motorhome
1993-1998 7.5L All Vehicles
NOTE: FOR 1993 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEAR FFV USE XO-10W30-FFV.



NOTE: THE "EXCEPTION 2001-2002 VEHICLES" SHOULD BE SERVICED WITH SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL.



Exception 2001 Vehicles

Engine Vehicle
3.3L Villager
3.9L Lincoln LS
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac

Exception 2002 Vehicles

Engine Vehicle
2.0L HP Zetec SVT Focus
3.3L Villager
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac

NOTE: IF VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THIS APPLICATION, SAE 5W-30 OIL IS RECOMMENDED. REFER TO TSB 99-8-16.



PART NUMBER PART NAME
XO-5W20-QSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - Quart (USA)
CXO-5W20-LSP12 SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - Litre (Canada)
XO-5W20-5QSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 5 Quart Jug (USA)
XO-5W20-DSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 55 Gallon Drum (USA)
CXO-5W20-DBSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 205 Litre Drum (Canada)
 
Hummm, maybe on my next change I will throw some 5w-20 in there instead. Thanks guys :)
 
I find that 5W-20 breaks down sooner than 5W-30. By that I mean that it doesn't seem to lubricate as well towards the end of its service life. My engine has some minor clatter on cold startup which seems to be worse with the 5W-20 than the 5W-30 at the same mileage. The engine also seems to run smoother and quieter with the 5W-30. Therefore, even at the risk of losing a fraction of a mile per gallon or whatever the claim is, I'll keep the 5W-30 in the crankcase.
Karl
 
98SVTC said:
I find that 5W-20 breaks down sooner than 5W-30. By that I mean that it doesn't seem to lubricate as well towards the end of its service life. My engine has some minor clatter on cold startup which seems to be worse with the 5W-20 than the 5W-30 at the same mileage. The engine also seems to run smoother and quieter with the 5W-30. Therefore, even at the risk of losing a fraction of a mile per gallon or whatever the claim is, I'll keep the 5W-30 in the crankcase.
Karl
Click to expand...

Even though Ford changed the spec, I'm reluctant to change due to the age and mileage of my car.

It is worth noting a few things about 5W20. At least the Motorcraft 5W20 is on the heavy side of the 5W20 range, so it really isn't much thinner than Motorcraft 5W30. Most 5W30 is on the thin side to start. Most 5W30, including Motorcraft (and Mobil 1) shears down to 5W20 in most engines in about 4000 to 5000 miles. Motorcraft 5W20 (and others that meet the Ford spec) are blended to keep them from shearing down so it stays in grade longer and better.
 
5W20 gives you cool running, better mpg, better power and...more wear.

Another plow to sell a few more F-150 and stay in their fuel efficiency average.

I run XD-3 0W40. But if you plan on trading it in, or keep the vehicle less than 8 years, probably doesn't matter.
 
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