Hello Everyone,

I just purchased a 2003 f150 supercrew fx4 with the 5.4l v8. After having it a month I thought I would change the oil and start my own service cycle since I didn't know what the previous maintenance records were.

At the parts store I was told by the counter person that I should use 5w-30 full synthetic instead of the full synthetic 5w-20 that the manual calls for.

He said the only reason the manual calls for 5w-20 is to attempt to reach the estimated M.P.G that the vehicle is listed at in regards to the E.P.A

Is this correct and I should stick with the 5w-30 or do I really need to run 5w-20 in it?

 

I run 5W30 Amsoil with the same setup as you. You wont have any problems.

 

5w30 here as well.

 

Ford recommends to 5-20 to keep the MPG milage up. you can run the 5-30 ( i do also) since it is more readily available in many places. dont think the truck will run better with 5-30. the 5-20 is very acceptable and will keep good oil pressure. i thin going to a 10-30 or heavier is when you might start seeing some problems . clearances are tight on the newer motors and 5-xx oils are required to keep good lube flow, NOT JUST PRESSURE.

 

Amsoil makes a 5w-20 full synthetic. Best of both worlds....sythetic and OEM weight.

 

I run motorcraft 5w30 and an FL820s filter, 190,xxx miles and no problems. Think I will stick with it and see how far I can go. You cant go wrong with a good 5w30 and a good filter with an anti drainback valve. 5w20 will work as well and it has been proven but if you dont feel comfortable with it 5w30 will be fine.

 

Hey BigdaddyII,
What is a filter with a anti drainback valve?

 

I work at a garage that services many new fords...mostly trucks with the new tritan engines...4.6 and 5.4's and we use recycled 5w30 cheap crap,and have never had any engine issues.as you can imagine they are beat hard by everybody.I don't think it matters if it's synthetic or not or good or not.Regular maintenance is the key to trouble free.Just what I've seen with my own eyes.I wouldn't have believed it myself until I started working here 4 years ago.......I use 5w30 regular oil in my 5.4

 

Thanks for that lil bit of info. I never knew dealers could use recycyled oil as a regular part of their service. All of us worrying about warranty issues and using only motocraft oil, blah blah blah, and the dealer uses recycyled oil? That's surprising to me. Guess the only way you can be sure of getting the best, is to do it yourself. I wonder what those Quick-Lube, Jiffy-lube, type places use? Recycled? I am definitely going to do my own from now on.

 

I don't work at the dealers...I work for my municipal fleet garage(the city) and I believe how often the oil is changed has more effect than good oil.If you like the good oil...go for it.My opinion is it doesn't matter much if you change it often enough.Who know's

 

Recently switched to 0w20 Mobil1, good stuff, easy start-up since the tempurature dropped below zero, and I'm enjoying the extra mpg too.

 

I run Mobil Clean 5000 10w-30 in my '99 F-150 (5.4L V8). 129,000 miles and no problems. My truck still pulls 17 mpg at 70 mph on the highway too.
I use my truck pretty hard sometimes, and thats why I run thicker oil.

 

I wouldn't use any thicker than that....your pushing the envelope.The oil return holes in these engine's are pretty small and you'll starve your pump in the higher rpm's.......be careful.

 

I use 5w30 mobil 1 synthetic and the ford filter.Expensive but it gives me piece of mind.I agree with 78 short.If you change your oil on a regular basis you should be able to use any brand oil.But you usually get what you pay for.

 

the 5w20 requirement has to do with cafe. but it also deals with deposits,wear and emissions.