I am new to this great website. I have a 2001 E-150 with 4.6, and OD trans, XLT trim. I bought it with only 18K miles, and did first oil change with Motorcraft filter and Mobil 1, 10-30wt that I already had in garage. My friend just purchased a 2003 F-150 with same motor & trans, and said I should have used 5-20 wt oil. I checked my van manual and it does state to use 5-20 wt oil.

I drained the 10-30 Mobil 1, and switched to 5-30 Mobil 1.
(Could not find Motorcraft 5-20 that day)

Can using Mobil 1, 10-30 cause any damage to the 4.6?

Wal Mart sells 5-30 Mobil 1, (without Ford spec ) is that OK?

Is the Motorcraft 5-20 oil better than Mobil 1 for Ford 4.6 ?

Thanks!

 

Mobil 1 oil is on the light side of the viscosity range and did no harm. Lots of guys run 5W30 and 10W30 where 5W20 is called for. Here is what Mobil told me when I emailed them about their oil and Ford's 153 H spec last summer:

"Does the new Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ oil meet Ford's WSS-MSC-153-G specification? The old Tri-Synthetic™ series stated that it did in the text of the product data sheet, but the new Mobil 1 data sheet makes no mention of it, or of meeting any Ford requirement for that matter. My two Ford vehicles call for 153-H & 153-E oil. Thanks -- Chuck Knapp, Fort Smith, AR

"There are two current Ford specifications for service-fill motor oil: ESE-M2C-153H and ESE-M2C-153G.Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 meet the specification for ESE-M2C-153G. Ford's most recent specification, ESE-M2C-153H, is a service-fill specification for 5W-20 viscosity motor oil. Mobil 1 is not available in a 5W-20 viscosity grade. If you would like a product that has been approved by Ford under the ESE-M2C-153H specification, Mobil Drive Clean Oil 5W-20 is approved. It is important to follow your owner's manual recommendations in order to maintain coverage under your new-vehicle warranty. It is our understanding that the recommendation to use 5W-20 is driven by concerns for fuel economy. If you wish to use a Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ synthetic lubricant for applications where a 5W-20 is recommended (Ford, Honda, Acura), ExxonMobil® recommends the use of Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 5W-30 or 0W-30. While Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 5W-30 and 0W-30 are fuel economy approved viscosity grades, and will provide excellent engine protection, they might not provide the same fuel economy as the 5W-20 viscosity grade. "

By the way....Mobil is introducing a new 0W20 Mobil 1 oil that does meets Ford's 153H spec currenty if you want a synthetic 20W oil. Otherwise Amsoil and Redline have good 20W synthetics available.

Motorcraft 5W20 is a very good oil. So is Pennzoil and Castrol 5W20. My local Walmart sells all 3 for about $1.70 - $1.80 a quart.

Sorry for the long post.

 

Well, first of all, you didn't hurt your truck! I use M1 5W30 and I feel it's best, but 10W30 is unlikely to affect your engine, particularly if you haven't been in many sub-zero start-ups.

Ford does recommend 5W20, but it must also meet a particular Ford specification. Although this is then apparently a very good oil, the motivation for it was EPA mileage ratings. Personally, I prefer to stay with the 5W30 and accept the very small MPG penalty.

 

there are no internal engine differences between the 5w20 recommended engines and other recent ford engines. 10w30 mobil 1 is a fine oil. Use it without fear (and other good quality 5w30,etc oils). I would have scooped up your fresh 10w30 mobil one for use in my 2003 f150 or 2001 mustang. (i am assuming that you not running your van where it is extremely cold or under heavy loads) Just remember, the new 5w20 recommendation is just a means for shaving a tiny bit off the ford epa mileage. the engines are unchanged.

 

Welcome to the FTE where we all agree that its okay to disagree. All of the above are true. The engines are the same and you would not have hurt your engine. There are NO advantages to using the M1 in 5w-20 as they have the same HT/HS (high temp/ high shear)rating of 2.6. The VIS (viscosity)at temp for the M1 is thinner than the Motorcraft. The MC is almost a 30 wt oil at temp (100 C). The oils that are rated for the 153 sequence are so far advanced of anything else on the market that I suggest that whatever oil you choose that it should be rated for the 153. It doubles the test criteria and reduces allowables by 30%. Ford really reached deep for this spec and it can only be hit with top shelf basestocks and additives. Frankly, the Motorcraft 5w-20 is dollar for dollar, the best oil available.

You may want to do a search for a thread relating to the comparison of dinos and synthetics concerning wear metals. After that, you may want to read on Horsepullers thread about basestocks and Group III's. Lots of information.