Alright today it was time for my 3K oil change. I went up to AutoZone and I went there to buy Valvoline 5W30 (6 quarts). The guy working there accidently picked up 4 5W20's and 2 5W30's ( I didn't notice this til we were changing the oil)

Start changing the oil, ready to dump the new 5W30 in and I notice the problem. I took the two 5W30's back and got 2 5W20's.

This was my second oil change since I have owned the truck, the first time we put in Valvoline 5W30 synthetic oil, and this time 5W20 sythetic. The first time it was 7 quarts this time 6 quarts of oil.

Do you guys think there is even one problem with doing this????
I haven't driven my truck yet because I need to make sure it's ok to go b4 I do!

I need feedback Thanks guys

 

Should be no problem whatsoever.

 

20 or 30 is just fine for the 4.2..........as for the diff in refilling, Some ppl say 6 some say seven either way it prolly doesnt matter, mine always holds 6 but if 6 didnt fill it up i would hesitate to put in another......and u might b on unlevel ground or sumthing, ur good!!

 

Awesome, does everyone else think I'm alright too??
Tom?
Joey?
Brian?

 

Homer,
You should be fine. I wouldn't sweat it at all.

6 qt should be fine. 6.5 will put it 1/2 to 2/3 up the hash marks on the dip stick - at least it does mine.

Be careful not to over fill. If your oil foams you could do damage.

 

Yea, I decided to keep it at 6 this time. I mean that's what the manual says so...

 

yes 6 quarts is jsut fine....but be wary of changing ot a LIGHTER oil. 5w-20 going to 5w-30 is ok.....but be wary of the opposite, if I rmember right, the oil actually creates grooves in your cylinder walls to fit that oil as the parts move. Heavier oil has larger particals. making larger grooves...well what happens when you go to a lighter oil? those smaller particals dont fill the grooves all the way. but if this is only your second oil cahnage dont sweat it, this is the reason if yo buy a used car, go a step UP from what the person you bought it from said, unless you have reason to completely trust their every word as a car person.

 

Thanks alot Jimmy, I just learned a new bit of info

 

Hey thanks also Jimmy I looked in my glove box at a mateniance book and the original owner took it to oil lube shops...evertime he used 10w30. And I been running Mobil 1 0w30....On long trips I noticed I burn( I guess I burn it, or loose it) a little oil

 

I would never add over 6 quarts! Read your manual; does it say 6-1/4 quarts,6-1/2 quarts,7 quarts.....no,it says 6! You're only asking for trouble by exceeding factory fill!

 

Yes, the last thing you need is for your crankshaft to be spinning in excess amounts of oil...So the original owner used 10w30, should I go back to that, or can I get away with 5w30...Its a hot and humid climate down here..Cam

 

yeah if you KNOW the previous owner did regular oil changes, using a good quality oil and used 10w30 then use that, no smaller. only go bigger if you start burning or losing oil when using 10w30

 

I hang out a lot in the oil and lube forum and enjoy the subject.
I have run 10W-30 for 131,000 miles in my 4.2.
I would not be too concerneed about going to a thinner oil than the previous owner used, UNLESS it is thinner than the OEM suggested fill.
I'm thinking Ford suggest 5W-30, but lists 10W-30 as being acceptable above 0 deg F. (but for this one fill, I would not go crazy, just switch back at your next oil change)
If it were mine, I'd run a good 10W-30 conventional oil (Chevron, Havoline, Castrol, etc.) and never give it a second thought.
It is just my opinion, but I am not sold on the overall value of synthetic oil. In some applications it is probably a wise investment.
I have 5 used oil anaysis data sheets that show conventional 10W-30 (both Shell and Chevron) oil provide great protection for my 4.2.
While I enjoy discussing and debating the subject, I trust numbers from my truck engine to tell me how the oil I have chosen is performing.
After 131,000 miles, I can't notice any drop at all on the dipstick between oil changes, i.e. it doesn't burn ANY oil that I can tell.
By the way, I run 4,500 - 5,000 mile drain intervals.

edit to add: about the 6 qts question. I generally used about 6 1/3 qts. This moves the level just far enough up the dipstick that it should be easy to see a drop if one were to occur. 6 qts puts it near the bottom of the dip stick. I have done this since new and doubt and extra pint or two is going to cause any problem (it hasn't yet). BUT, a major overfill of a qt or two can be bad.)

 

Yup, you'll definately be fine with that oil. Have a nice day!