well, i finally got back on here to read everything. everyone makes sense to some degree and some of you guys can clearly talk technically way over my head, so i have to just trust that you know what you're talking about.

i've always used conventional oil in my other cars all of which lasted a very long time. this mobil1 every 5000 will be my one expensive experiment with oils. haven't decided what filter to stick with, so for now its been the motorcraft or the mobil depending upon where i'm shopping.

Thanks for the tips. chicago has a very varied climate, you have to be prepared in the winter for below zero morning cold starts (my truck sits outside) and gridlock traffic in 95+ degrees in july...and everything in between. "in the olden days" i just switched oil types seasonally, but i guess with the 5w20 it will go year round fine.