Just got my first oil change at the dealer (used my freebie coupon) and the tech at the dealership installed Motorcraft 5w-20 oil in my 2016 F-250 with the 6.2L gas engine. The owner's manual specifies 5w-30 oil. I'm concerned this may be a problem.

I called the service department and left a message and am currently waiting for a call back.

I believe factory reps monitor this board and I would like to know if this is an issue I should be concerned about and if this could be a potential warranty issue in the future.

Thanks in advance.

 

I have a 2013 F250 with a 6.2 and it's engine oil spec is 5w-20 - as I understand it, the spec for the 2016 model 6.2 engines is now 5w-30. Several people have asked why there has been the change but Ford really hasn't said why they went to the heavier oil. The word I have is that the correct oil is whatever is written on the oil filler cap of your engine.

 

I can understand your concern, but as tight as these new engines are the 20 weight shouldn't be a problem. my 2 cents worth.

 

I also don't see the big issue with the 20W. Ford must have done some testing in high heat situations and thought about going with a slightly heavy oil on the upper end. You might see a slight difference in oil pressure.

 

If it makes you feel better, back in the 70s the owners manual showed oil ranges from 5W30 to 20w50... It all depending on the outside temps. The main thing is that there's oil in there.

 

Splitting hairs here. If it gets real cold (Ambient under 0*F) run the 20. If it gets real hot (Ambient above 110*F) run 30. I always use Mobil 1 with a can of Prolong additive. I run all my vehicles hard never had a problem.

 

I recently took my 2015 F-250 in for their oil/filter/tire rotation service for $39.95 at 5,000 miles. I didn't look at the paperwork closely until I got home, and it indicated that 5W-30 oil was used, rather than the recommended (and stamped on the oil filler cap) 5W-20. When I spoke with the serviced advisor, he said that the service was just keyed into the computer wrong, and he left the phone and spoke with the technician who did the actual service on my truck. He remembered it since I was the first customer of the day and I have a Ranch Hand grill guard on the front.... at any rate, the tech specifically remembered using 5W-20 in my vehicle, so I took them at their word. However, I did pull the hub caps and checked the lug nut torque, and not a one was torqued above 80 ft-lbs - the recommended torque is 165.... needless to say, I'm not impressed with the dealership or their attitude when I called back bringing this to their attention.

 

at a labor rate of $100.00 per hour plus supplies...

no time to do it right or correct... my opinion.


retired auto mechanic. 43 years.
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This is why I always change my own oil and filter. Not a big deal IMO.

 

Thats why I do all work possible at home. Unless you can find a good shop(read not a stealership)!

 

Update: The dealer called me back this morning and acknowledged the wrong oil was used. I went back this morning and the dealer drained the oil and replaced it with 5w-30 (by the way I checked and 5w-30 is stamped right on the oil filler cap). Both the service writer and the tech apologized to me for the mistake. Then, before I could catch him the tech who was in a rush to "make it right" and covered in dirt, runs out and jumps in my brand new truck without putting down a seat cover. I mentioned this to the service writer about the seat cover and he in turn must have chewed out the tech because the tech wouldn't even make eye contact with me when brought the paperwork back at the end of the job. It must be really hard to find employees these days.

I typically do my own maintenance on all of my vehicles and equipment but decided to let the dealer do it this time because it was complimentary and I figured it was pretty hard to screw-up an oil change. Boy was I wrong. I'm going back to doing my own maintenance coupon or not.

Sorry for the rant. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

This has been an issue for us 6.2 owners that own 2011-2015 trucks for a while. Many have suggested that the 30 has always been the better choice but ford needed better mpg #s which I guess is/was an artifact from the 150/raptor days.
I kinda probably think that is reasonable yet always put the 20 in my wife's mustang 4.6 and never thought twice about it.
In closing I would prefer the 20 for those cold winter starts.

 

I try to do ALL maintenance myself. If I can rent the tool for the job, that I do not have, then I do it myself. The older I get, the less I bend into the hard to reach places, but at least I know it has been done to MY standards. Besides, I get to know my truck even better!!


If I do take it to have a repair or service done, I am fortunate to have a great relationship with the local Ford dealer and they do have excellent mechanics and shop manager.

 

It's a good thing most do not know what goes ON inside a dealership.. or service garage... it is shocking sometimes..
both the mechanic and management .


YES, there are Good Ones.. but getting harder to find.

 

I'm confident running 5W20 oil wouldn't, and didn't do any harm. That's what I run in my V10.