Have any of you switched to 5w30 instead of the 20 in your 4.6 or other 3v? Ive been reading and found a few that have I was just wondering if it would be beneficial at all?

 

Have you read from others that it is beneficial to go with the 5W30? All I can think of would be downsides, unless the engines are getting worn out and start leaking or burning oil. In concept, using 5W30 when 5W20 is called out would contribute to decreased fuel economy, lower oil pressure, more engine noise at startup, increased engine wear, and some amount of higher engine temperatures. I really have no idea how noticeable any of these would be though given what seems like a minor change in viscosity. I suppose the more time the engine spends at operating temperature, the more noticeable the impact.

-Rod

 

the spec is 5 W20 ... that is mostly to get a slight increase in fuel milage out of the motor. Nothing wrong with 5W30 .... Since you are in a northern state I would think the 5W20 would still be your best choice. If you were from south Texas or Florida, (HOT) then 5W30 might have some benefits......... I see none for you.

 

My opinion... The older, pushrod engines, inlines, V6, V8, etc, were born when thicker oils was the norm.

The 5.0 in my '99 explorer specs the same 5W-20 as the little 2.0 in our 2005 Focus.

Walk into an AutO'rielly and just say you need "oil for a Ford" and the knowledgeable ones will respond "5w-20" without looking at a computer screen. The dufuses will ask "XLT?" or "leather or vinyl?"

But I suspect older 5.0s, 302s, 289s I6s were spec'd with a thicker oil.

I have no reservations using thicker oils in our '99 5.0 as I doubt anything magical happened to my '99 that is notably different than '86 (I think) when the 5.0 morphed from the 302.

If I had any variation of engine that was born in the late '90s I would stick with the recommended thinner oil.

 

It sounds like you should visit bobistheoilguy.com

You will get more than you want in relation to motor oil.



A while back, Ford issued a TSB about using 5W20 oil in a bunch of older vehicles. I normally do my own oil changes. But a local dealership sent a coupon, I was being lazy, blah, blah, blah....

The dealer tech installed a new oil cap on my motor with "5W20" printed on it. He also installed stickers with 5W20 and door stickers for the new recommended tire pressure recommendation. Then there was some sort of recall for the cruise control. All of these things dated back for years. I just don't go to the dealership that often. Tech kind of laughed and said something about how I was lucky that they still had "parts". I guess when you have a lawsuit, you print a bunch of new door stickers for the tire pressure.



TSB 02-1-9

FORD: 1992-2002
1993-1994
1993-1997
1993-2002
1995-2000
1998-2002
2000-2002
1993-1996
1993-1997
1993-2002
1995-2002
1997-1999
1997-2001
1997-2002
1999-2002
2000-2002
2001-2002
CROWN VICTORIA TEMPO THUNDERBIRD ESCORT, MUSTANG,TAURUS CONTOUR ESCORT ZX2 FOCUS BRONCO AEROSTAR E SERIES, F-150, RANGER WINDSTAR F-250 LD EXPLORER EXPEDITION SUPER DUTY F SERIES, SUPER DUTY F-53 STRIPPED CHAS EXCURSION ESCAPE
LINCOLN: 1991-2002 TOWN CAR
1993-1998 MARK VIII
1993-2002 CONTINENTAL
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR MERCURY: 1992-2002 GRAND MARQUIS
1993-1994 TOPAZ
1993-1997 COUGAR
1993-1999 TRACER
1993-2002 SABLE
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER
This article is being republished in its entirety to update the vehicle models, engines and years affected. NOTE PLEASE REFER TO THE VEHICLE APPLICATION LIST LATER IN THIS TSB FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS TSB

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.

Article No. 02-1-9 Cont'd.
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
NOTE
IF VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THIS
APPLICATION, SAE 5W-30 OIL IS
RECOMMENDED. REFER TO TSB 99-8-16.
PAGE 3

Engine Vehicle
3.3L 3.9L 4.0L Villager Lincoln LS Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac
Exception 2002 Vehicles

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