An OIL question....
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
An OIL question....
Brought my truck into my regular mech today to have them look over the front end....tie rods, ***** joints etc.
The good news is that they found nothing wrong...in fact, he said it was in "perfect" condition....that's great.
Not really "bad" news, but they also did a service, which included an oil change. Well, I had changed the oil barely three weeks ago....and haven't driven it much since, so they basically wasted away 7 qts of new 'ish oil.
They also used 5W-30 instead of the recommended 5W-20....so my question is: Is this a big deal?
I know that manufacturer's use the thinnest oil they can to maximize mileage claims (I've had other mechanics tell me the same thing) but I for one, don't like to go against the recommendations...even though I think that 5W-20 is probably a bit thin for a tow-vehicle...
Will this be ok? Anyone else use the 5W-30?
I have more 20...should I just dump this stuff and refill?
The good news is that they found nothing wrong...in fact, he said it was in "perfect" condition....that's great.
Not really "bad" news, but they also did a service, which included an oil change. Well, I had changed the oil barely three weeks ago....and haven't driven it much since, so they basically wasted away 7 qts of new 'ish oil.
They also used 5W-30 instead of the recommended 5W-20....so my question is: Is this a big deal?
I know that manufacturer's use the thinnest oil they can to maximize mileage claims (I've had other mechanics tell me the same thing) but I for one, don't like to go against the recommendations...even though I think that 5W-20 is probably a bit thin for a tow-vehicle...
Will this be ok? Anyone else use the 5W-30?
I have more 20...should I just dump this stuff and refill?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
thinner is for fuel mileage..
the weight of motor oil is based on the Temperature the engine is operating under...
I have been using 10w30 in my 6.2L for 40,000 miles.. as engine has 167,000 miles on it.. more protection..
Motor Oil Viscosity - Advice / ELF
read for yourself. remember the temperature is in "C" NOT "F"....
the weight of motor oil is based on the Temperature the engine is operating under...
I have been using 10w30 in my 6.2L for 40,000 miles.. as engine has 167,000 miles on it.. more protection..
Motor Oil Viscosity - Advice / ELF
read for yourself. remember the temperature is in "C" NOT "F"....
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Ford put out a tech bulletin on the 6.2 recommending a switch to 5w30 due to high oil consumption. I know mine fell in the build date, also for a defective baffle in the PS valve cover. So, I switched to 14w40 syn blend Castrol, as my engine now has 155,000 miles on it, and will be using it to tow mostly. I have zero oil consumption. It’s hard to imagine 20 weight oil protecting bearing loads at the bottom of the stroke. 6.2’s like to wind up, piston speed is incredible. I have a 2001 expo with a 4.6 that has 371,000 miles on it, never did anything to it. I use 20w50 Castrol in it as the clearances have opened up. Our 2012 King Ranch Expo still uses 5w20 sync blend as it is not used as much. Also, I have always used Engine Restore at every oil change. I have used this product for over 40 years in everything except Powerstroke diesels.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
OK....good to know.
My biggest concern was the phasers....I read somewhere that their operation is tied to oil viscosity and that using "too thick" of an oil could/would ruin them.
My biggest concern was the phasers....I read somewhere that their operation is tied to oil viscosity and that using "too thick" of an oil could/would ruin them.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
My concern would be more towards they’re doing stuff to my truck which I did not authorize, ask for or want. Nobody told you to change the oil, add coolant, add washer fluid etc. First I want to know who authorized, who said it should be done and I want to put back the way I had it...NOW! I'll wait and will watch that you’re using the correct product for the job. My girlfriend has a jeep commander that she took into the shop for a recall and one of the mechanics thought it was appropriate to (top off) add coolant. When she asked what he used, the response was a just a universal coolant. ABSOLUTELY F’N NOT! You will flush that system out immediately and you will put the G5 that the vehicle requires per the manufacturer and you will do it now. I had the Service Manager practically by the ***** I was so pissed, first they kept talking down to her, ignoring her position so I came down to the dealership. I stopped and asked for the GM before heading to the Service department.
This is one of the main reasons I do not take my truck to a dealership or shop and in the rare case I have to I put explicit instructions not to do any work that has not been authorized!
This is one of the main reasons I do not take my truck to a dealership or shop and in the rare case I have to I put explicit instructions not to do any work that has not been authorized!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
In all fairness to the shop, I did ask for a "service"...which (I assume) would include an oil change.
These guys have been my regular shop for years and I trust them implicitly...I could have just as easily told them "Don't bother changing the oil...it was just done" but I didn't, so they went ahead with their "service".
I'm not going to ruin a relationship that was a decade in the making, for the sake of $50 worth of oil.
The cherry on top of it all was the proclamation that the truck was "in perfect shape"....I really needed to hear that after my Duramax experience last year.
*
These guys have been my regular shop for years and I trust them implicitly...I could have just as easily told them "Don't bother changing the oil...it was just done" but I didn't, so they went ahead with their "service".
I'm not going to ruin a relationship that was a decade in the making, for the sake of $50 worth of oil.
The cherry on top of it all was the proclamation that the truck was "in perfect shape"....I really needed to hear that after my Duramax experience last year.
*
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
I hand a list... what I want done.. and what I do NOT want done....
printed out from a printer... No misreading... instructions..
Like checking the tires... I do my tires... my Saturday duty.. my tire gauges... air and tread...
retired auto mechanic.
printed out from a printer... No misreading... instructions..
Like checking the tires... I do my tires... my Saturday duty.. my tire gauges... air and tread...
retired auto mechanic.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
This shop has been around since the 50's and they have a HUGE customer-base...you don't get that by screwing people over. It's the classic Mom 'n Pop garage that will fit you in, even if they're full...will go through several vendors to get the best price on parts, etc.
....and in the end, my OCD prevailed and I ended up dumping the 5W-30 and replaced it with recommended 5W-20. Don't ask why...........I'm just like that sometimes.
I may try the 5W-30 again in the summer, when the air temps can go up to 40°C (104°F) and the majority of my driving/towing is through the mountains...but for now, I just feel better using the factory-spec'd stuff.
Yet, when I think about it....the factory spec'd oil for my '97 PSD was 15W-40 and I ran it year round on 5W-40 Rotella................go figure.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 23
I've been running 5w-30 in my 2011 6.2 ever since Ford recommended it for the newer motors. My engine is 'quieter' on it. I used to get the occasional noise on cold start that some people report with the 6.2 but never since swapping to 5w-30. 130,000+ miles.
If you told your shop to 'service' your truck I'd assume that means an oil change myself so fair enough to them for swapping you out IMO.
If you told your shop to 'service' your truck I'd assume that means an oil change myself so fair enough to them for swapping you out IMO.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
I run a bearing company (we manufacture bearings) and work with mechanical engineers all day long. Do we talk motor oil? No, but we do talk about operating conditions of bearings: rpm, temperature, load, environment characteristics, etc. We test, we over-work, we try and cause failures, etc. I’ve had my hands in more different types of grease and oils than Wilt Chamberlain had in girls panties.
It is best to not think that you know more than Ford engineers, because you don’t. It doesn’t matter how many miles you have on ‘x’ engine running ‘y’ oil viscosity.
Stick with what the owner manual lists (or subsequent service update) for the temperature of your operating environment.
— Dave
It is best to not think that you know more than Ford engineers, because you don’t. It doesn’t matter how many miles you have on ‘x’ engine running ‘y’ oil viscosity.
Stick with what the owner manual lists (or subsequent service update) for the temperature of your operating environment.
— Dave
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 23
Unless the field data supported a change to 5w30 which is not the recommended oil viscosity for my 6.2 and not what is printed in a 2011 manual like mine. I don't think I know much more than anyone but ime I will keep running 5w30 and not 5w20.
Engineers. Lol. Sorry.
Engineers. Lol. Sorry.