Well I have a 03 EB Expidition with 5.4 and am looking for opions on a oil. I want to use the recommended 5w-20 for it. My last truck was a Ford Explorer that I used Mobil1 5w-30 in it. It had a 150,000 miles when on it when I sold it to my brother and it runs like new, no oil usage between changes.
I am looking for a 5w-20 for it. I tow a 17 fishing boat in the summer, 16 john boat during hunting season and a snowmobile trailer during the winter.
I found that Amsoil, Royal Purple ,Castrol and Motorcraft make a 5w-20. I will be keeping this truck for a long time so the cost of a oil change does not matter to me.
If you had your choice which would you go with. I will be using Mobil 1 filters for it.
Does anybody know if Mobil will be coming out with a 5w-20

 

Well, you didn't state where your truck will live as far as the heat environment but considering you tow snowmobiles I would assume that you don't see much 100+ degree weather. First, make sure that the oil you use is API Certified- not all the choices you listed are certified. The Mototrcraft is a synthetic blend and used oil analysis have been coming back with great reports. It is not for extended oil changes. I would recommend changing this particular oil every 5000 miles. The Castrol GTX in 5w-20 is a group III (read semi-synthetic) and group II base stocks which is similiar to the Motorcraft but the Castrol has moly in it. In extreme temps, the zinc that is in oil for an anti-wear agent will breakdown. This is where the moly will take over. Some people prefer to "plate up" the motor with moly for the additional protection. If your motor never sees an extreme situation, then it doesn't matter as the newer oils have much higher flashpoints. (Flash per ASTM D-92 is the temperature at which an oil gives off vapors that can be ignited with a flame held over the oil.) Most flashpoints exceed 400 f. The new 0w-20 Mobil One has a HT/HS of 2.65 and the Motorcraft is 2.6. They are very close. HT/HS (High Temp/ High Stress)determines an oils ability to withstand shearing and tearing. This is most important on a engine subject to high stress or high RPM's. This relates directly to the wear of bearings, cylinder walls, etc. The higher the number the better. Also, FYI, the Xw-20 oils are just barely 20 weight. Most have VIS @ 9.0 or better which means they are almost a 30w. A 30 weight oil starts at 9.3. To say which is best for your usage, I'd stick with the Motorcraft, it's the oil I use in my Supercrew and I live in S. Texas where on some nights at 10 PM it's still over 100 F. Hope I haven't confused you.

Also noticed your usage of Mobil oil filters. I would suggest that you scroll down to the "best oil filter" thread, page 4. I have listed the efficiency of several brands that you might find interesting.

 

I live in Wisconsin

 

Well, if cost is not a factor, you'd be supporting fellow Wisconsinites in using the Amsoil, corporate headquarters in Superior, Wis. If you don't already know, it's a multi-level marketing company. But they do have a website, and you can purchase at dealer price directly from there for a fee, plus cost of shipping the product to you. Or locate a local "marketeer" and buy from them at retail.

The only 5W-20 Amsoil offers is the XL-7500 series. And it is API certified and meets Ford spec. While it used to be a true synthetic, they've recently reformulated it using Group III dino oil basestock that can be labeled as a synthetic. Some will argue though, that good oil isn't necessarily derived from basestock only, it's the additive package that determines quality overall.

And Amsoil does provide a robust additive package. The 5W-20's HT/HS is 2.9 and TBN is 10.2. Pour point is -51F. Amsoil's recommended service is 7,500 miles or six months. I did see this very oil on the shelf at a Fleet Farm this past weekend for $4.99 per quart. Maybe their marketing strategy is starting to change?

And in regard to oil temps, most people I've spoken to that monitor their engine oil temp, say that it's consistantly 20-30 degrees hotter than the engine coolant. It gives you an idea of the heat your oil sees during operation.
Good luck!

 

Flash, you have confused me a little.

You live in a High temp area, but you don't prefer the Castrol's Moly over the Motorcraft. Why?

I have thought about switching from Motorcraft to Castrol in my Screw as I also live in Texas, occasionally pull an 17' Boston Whaler(usually in a sling), and put my foot into the Micro Tuned engine every once and a while.

I change my oil every 3000 miles because I feel it is cheap enough to do often...Good insurance.

So my question is why are you preferring the Motorcraft?

Thanks

 

My Screw just runs up and down the road getting me where I want to go and I am looking for best fuel mileage. If I were pulling a trailer in the Texas heat I would be running either Chevron Supreme or Castrol GTX in 10w-30 weight. The 5w-20 Ford spec concerns getting their CAFE up and considering that there are no internal differences between the old Triton engines and the "new" Triton motors there is no problems running the heavier oil. The Castrol will thin some over mileage for your information. The HT/HS for the GTX is 3.1 which should increase the life of your motor considering its environment.

 

Well, I'm trying to keep with Ford's specs for warranty, so I'm a little reluctant to run a 5w or 10w-30.

So for now, it will be 5w-20 and I want it to be a strong oil.

Synthetic is not really a consideration as I like to change at 3000 mile intervals.

So is the Castrol 5w-20 better suited for the heat than the Motorcraft or does it really matter with my 3000 mile intervals anyway.

Also, like you, 99% of my driving is up and down the road , I very rarely have to pull the boat....twice a year Ii go to my Deer lease in Del Rio, but I don't tow anything there. Most of my miles are city mileage and fairly short trips

PS

Thanks for responding so quickly Flash

 

The used oil analysis that I have seen concerning the Motorcraft 5w-20 have been outstanding. I would not be reluctant to use it at all. I guess it's my old school coming out that I have a problem with light weight oils in a high stress environment. I don't have any stats that I can find in my files concerning 5w-20 Castrol GTX. I would assume it is a group III and possibly some group II with a good package of moly. That would be consistent with their packaging. For added information, it is not possible to hit Fords spec with group II basestock only so anything that you find meeting spec will have some pseudo-synthetics anyway. If you haven't already looked, I would recommend looking at the first "sticky" post in this section. Horsepuller has a link that I think you will find extremely interesting and it may explain the relationship of todays dino oils and synthetics. I think the heading reads about Valvoline Maxlife.

 

Thanks