I have been reading numerous posts on the 5W-20 weight engine oil and the do's and do not's. Just wanted to add my view...My 2001 owners guide states on page 203 the following; Quote...SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended(in bold). Only use oils "Certified For Gasoline Engines" by the American Petroleum Institute)API). Use Motorcraft or an equivalent oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C153-H. SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for your vehicle's engine(in bold).
The only specific don't is oil additives...

I have changed my oil at 600 miles and used 5W-30 with a motorcraft filter. The next oil change will be my freebe from the Ford dealer at 1500 miles. When my 5.4 hits 2500 miles(my view of break-in complete) I will switch to mobil 1 5W-30 syn. I have been a mobil 1 syn. user for over 20 years and would not use anything else. Mobil 1 meets Ford specification WSS-M2C153-H...enough said

 

I had a recent post here about motor oil,, it seems pretty wide open as to what guys do,,, my brother-in-law asked his Ford mechanic pal about this oil thing, his reply:
"I talked with the friend of mine that works at the Ford truck garage. He said there has been a memo on the oil issue you were talking about. If the cover on the oil cap says to use 5W-20 you must use that weight oil. The new motors have such tight clearences that in the winter the lifters will pump up and the motor won't run right, if you use 5W-30. He also said that at their shop they have a really good price on Motocraft oil, so if you checked your Ford dealership maybe they do too. He said Motocraft oil is made by Valvoline."


My local hardware store guy ordered me a box of Mobil 5w-20, he said it wasn't any more $$ than the mainstream oils,, then another guy in town, a general repair mechanic, with a year old Excursion, said he uses 10w-40. As long as I can get 5-20, at a decent price, I guess I will use it,,,,,

 

When was your '01 built? Mine was built in Jan '01 and has a different specification listed... it ends with a "J"- not an "H". Mobil 1, a very good oil, does NOT meet this specification. I'd be cautious using fluids that don't meet Ford' requirements as they (FoMoCo) are really cracking down on "abuse" claims covered under warranty.

As for WINTER having anything to do with oil weights, 5W20 and 5W30 are the same "weight" when cold. Only after they are heated to a certain temp are they different. So, perhaps SUMMER might be the time to worry.

 

I must apologize for posting incorrect information...Mobil 1 5W-30 Tri Synthetic oil DOES NOT MEET Ford Spec WSS-M2C153-H, which equates to a API rating of SL. Mobil 1 5W-30 meets Ford Spec WSS-M2C153-G, which equates to a API rating of SJ. Mobil Corp. offers "Mobil Drive Clean Oil 5W-20" to meet Ford's WSS-M2C153-H requirement.
I have asked Mobil Corp. if this oil is a full synthetic oil. I have also asked the difference between the H and G spec. lubricating requirements. Waiting on a response.
Will I still use Mobil 1 5W-30 Tri-Syn...unknown until I here back from Mobil.

Respectfully,
David

 

Well I not sure what you will say about this but I went to full synthetic 5w-50 on my 01 sd 5.4 4x4 3:73 auto. Dealer ok'd it after 2nd oil change. Truck is 8 mos. old with 35,000 kilometers on it.
The truck has made 1/2 the milage pulling 7,500 lbs back and forth from Ontario to Florida. 70 mph=10mpg loaded in od. with reg. gas. The engine is smoother and quieter with the syn. oil.

My dealer swears the 5w-20 is a cold start-up and fuel milage issue
which the 5w covers the start-up part.

 

The oils are probably OK. Until '01, 5W30 was what was recommended. Nothing changed in the engines, so it seems that the 5W20 requirement is just to help the vehicle's economy. I'd run Mobil 1 except that IF you have a problem, Ford can use that as an excuse to not honor your warranty.

If your dealer has "blessed" it, you need to get it in writing &/or keep your receipts if they are doing the work. Ford- not your dealership, warrants the vehicle.

 

>I must apologize for posting incorrect information...Mobil 1
>5W-30 Tri Synthetic oil DOES NOT MEET Ford Spec
>WSS-M2C153-H, which equates to a API rating of SL. Mobil 1
>5W-30 meets Ford Spec WSS-M2C153-G, which equates to a API
>rating of SJ. Mobil Corp. offers "Mobil Drive Clean Oil
>5W-20" to meet Ford's WSS-M2C153-H requirement.
>I have asked Mobil Corp. if this oil is a full synthetic
>oil. I have also asked the difference between the H and G
>spec. lubricating requirements. Waiting on a response.
>Will I still use Mobil 1 5W-30 Tri-Syn...unknown until I
>here back from Mobil.
>
>Respectfully,
>David

I have spoke with Ford Customer Service, and they say Mobil-1 Synthetic 5-30 is acceptable for these 5.4's and does NOT void warranty. I was told also by them the 5-20 was solefully developed to increase mileage. NO way I'm running 20 weight in Texas summers.
I changed to 5-30 Mobil-1 at 800 miles and expect no problems. I'm changing it every 4000 with filter (probably a bit overkill).
Only problem I see now, is ever having Ford service it; don't want some free oil change with 5-20 petroleum oil!

 

Mobil 1 customer service replied by e-mail stating that, mobil drive clean oil 5W-20 is a pure petroleum base oil no synthetic's.

Ford Motor Company Customer Service also replied by e-mail stating that, Ford recommends using motorcraft 5W-20 which meets Ford Spec. WSS-M2C153-H and is classified by the API. They also said the use of any engine oil that meets Ford Spec. WSS-M2C153-G and is classified by the API will not void your manufactures warranty for your 2001 vehicle engine.

So I will be swiching to Mobil 1 5W-30 Tri Synthetic at 1500 miles, and will change engine oil every 5000 miles or one year which ever comes first.

Respectfully,
David

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-Dec-01 AT 08:38 PM (EST)]That's great news! Any way you could post the actual message?