Oil Confusion
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New User
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Chapmansboro
Oil Confusion
New owner of a classic, mint condition1995 F150 XLT / 302 / 5.0 ltr.... One of the first steps was to start out with a new oil change. The owners manual says 10W - 30 for my climate zone. However, dealership, as well as O'Reileys, AutoZone says the new specs from Ford is to use 5W 20. I had it loaded with the latter today, but could not find any supporting information on this subject. Scared to put any miles on her until I hear from you experts. Thanks for an peace of mind you can give me on this subject !
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New User
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Chapmansboro
Thanks, understood. But I've put 5w 20 into the motor per specs that auto stores are telling me that "Ford changed the specs". The engine has 152K. Is this OK, or do I need to flush and go against these new "specs" ? As an addendum, I do not know what the former owner was running in the truck... Could it be FORD decided this is a better option moving forward given the advances in synthetic oils? Thanks Again
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
That spec applies to new vehicles which are built with much tighter specs than yours was to begin with and was done to improve the fuel milage rating. 5w20 oil will help cold starts during the winter if the temps drop significantly below freezing, if that doesn't happen where you live then a lighter weight oil isn't needed. This oil should not damage your motor but that depends on it's overall condition, listen to it at cold starts and once fully warmed up to see if there are any mechanical noises that weren't there before, if it is noisier change it out.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Chapmansboro
Thanks for the reply from all, and especially Mr. O'Brien. I figure I'll run this for 1K, drain, and then jump back into 10W-30 High Milage. I just needed to know that I was not going to damage the engine in the short term. I'm not sure why FORD issued changes to 1995 302's with providers other than the green folks wanting to "improve" gas milage, and thus running a thinner oil.....? Hmmm. Thanks again to all. Learning as I go....
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: San Jose, CA
You haven't had the truck long eh? Trust me, you're going to want it to have better gas mileage too! Or at least your wallet will!
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New User
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Chapmansboro
Indeed. Not a daily commuter truck though, so low miles. Just a work truck on our mini farm. I'm most concerned with keeping the engine in tip top shape, and the right (correct) oil I reckon is a good place to start !
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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I use either 10W-30 or 10W-40 in my 302. Why wait for 1,000 miles and not change it immediately if your worried about it? I would run the 5W-20 until the next time it is due to be changed. Seems like a waste of time and money to do it sooner.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
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From: Southern OH
15w40 diesel oil is what I use in older pushrod engines like the 302. 10w30 is the absolute lightest weight oil you should run in that engine, there is no way I would run 5w20 in it, another classic example of why you shouldn't take advice from people at the auto parts stores.
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New User
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From: Chapmansboro
Thanks for the reply double ought T triple 4 E ! Diesel 15w40 for older pushrod 302 (152K Miles) ? Would love to hear more of your reasoning for doing this? Not doubting, just learning. That nagging feeling that the "experts" are wrong has forced me to park and collect more info. At the very least, get 10W30 back in her in the next week. Appreciate if you could expound upon 15w40 and why. Thanks Again.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2009
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15w40 diesel oil is what I use in older pushrod engines like the 302. 10w30 is the absolute lightest weight oil you should run in that engine, there is no way I would run 5w20 in it, another classic example of why you shouldn't take advice from people at the auto parts stores.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Des Moines
Thanks for the reply double ought T triple 4 E ! Diesel 15w40 for older pushrod 302 (152K Miles) ? Would love to hear more of your reasoning for doing this? Not doubting, just learning. That nagging feeling that the "experts" are wrong has forced me to park and collect more info. At the very least, get 10W30 back in her in the next week. Appreciate if you could expound upon 15w40 and why. Thanks Again.
15w40 diesel oil is what I use in older pushrod engines like the 302. 10w30 is the absolute lightest weight oil you should run in that engine, there is no way I would run 5w20 in it, another classic example of why you shouldn't take advice from people at the auto parts stores.
”Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.”
The list of applicable vehicles includes your 1995 F150. I’m not saying all parts guys are experts, but this is the kind of info they refer to when they say Ford updated the specs. I know many parts guys that were technicians prior to selling parts and have forgotten more than I know after 18 years combined experience (3 years professional + 15 hobbyist.... I think that’s how math works).
Engine damage due to incorrect oil takes time, generally speaking. 1 or 2 service cycles of the wrong viscosity is unlikely to harm anything as long as the engine is in good mechanical condition to begin with. There’s always exceptions but there’s also usually other factors at play (short drive times or abusive driving habits, for example).
This one service on 5-20 won’t kill the engine - it might actually help clean some of the internal passages.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
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From: Southern OH
Refer to TSB 02-1-9 — this is a direct quote:
”Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.”
The list of applicable vehicles includes your 1995 F150. I’m not saying all parts guys are experts, but this is the kind of info they refer to when they say Ford updated the specs. I know many parts guys that were technicians prior to selling parts and have forgotten more than I know after 18 years combined experience (3 years professional + 15 hobbyist.... I think that’s how math works).
Engine damage due to incorrect oil takes time, generally speaking. 1 or 2 service cycles of the wrong viscosity is unlikely to harm anything as long as the engine is in good mechanical condition to begin with. There’s always exceptions but there’s also usually other factors at play (short drive times or abusive driving habits, for example).
This one service on 5-20 won’t kill the engine - it might actually help clean some of the internal passages.
”Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.”
The list of applicable vehicles includes your 1995 F150. I’m not saying all parts guys are experts, but this is the kind of info they refer to when they say Ford updated the specs. I know many parts guys that were technicians prior to selling parts and have forgotten more than I know after 18 years combined experience (3 years professional + 15 hobbyist.... I think that’s how math works).
Engine damage due to incorrect oil takes time, generally speaking. 1 or 2 service cycles of the wrong viscosity is unlikely to harm anything as long as the engine is in good mechanical condition to begin with. There’s always exceptions but there’s also usually other factors at play (short drive times or abusive driving habits, for example).
This one service on 5-20 won’t kill the engine - it might actually help clean some of the internal passages.