5.0 Oil ??
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: OREGON
5.0 Oil ??
The owner's manual for my 96 Bronco says 10/30 or 5/30 if it's real cold. Is there a problem using 10/40 instead? I tow a 4000# trailer & would like maximum protection under load. Is the price of synthetic worth it (I change every 3000). If so what weight is best? I bought it new in early 97 and it has 45,000 on it now.
Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the advice.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 669
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From: Chino Valley
I have a 95 bronco, with a 302 and it has 185,000+ miles on it. I just changed the oil, the wrench heads at the shop (the construction company I work for helps me take care of it) run 15w, or20w-40 during the winterand 10w-30 during the summer. Synthetic is definately worth the price, breaks down slower than conventional oil. I like to use Castrol or Valvoline synthetics. but I can never get high mileage synthetics, so I usually use Valvoline max life. if your towing a lot I would definately suggest syntec.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Why do they run heavier oil in the winter and lighter in the summer, andrewdrice?
Anyway, salmonhead, if I was in your circumstances, I think I'd go with synthetic in the factory recommended weight. Just my 2 cents...
Anyway, salmonhead, if I was in your circumstances, I think I'd go with synthetic in the factory recommended weight. Just my 2 cents...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
I use 10W-40 in the van and 10W-30 in the Explorer, Castrol GTX dino. I use the heavier oil in the van just because it's older and it looks better on the oil pressure gauge. I don't do any towing with either one. If I'd gotten the Explorer when it had less miles on it I probably would have gone to synthetic.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
15W-40 Chevron Delo is what I run in an old 302, near-synthetic properties and performance at one third the price. Castrol and Valvoline "synthetics" are not really synthetic by the traditional definition and not worth the price, a waste of money with 3000 mile changes anyway. The Oil and Lubrication forum has tons of information and debate on the subject of synthetic oil.
Jim
Jim
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Elder User
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I use 5-50 Castrol syntec year round and I have 375,000 km. on one truck with no engine maintenance and 275,000 on another with similar results and believe in synthetics for wear and cleanliness.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: OREGON
Thanks to all for your input. Seems most everyone agrees that heavier is better protection. My 3000 mile changes are only 2 - 3 times a year as the Bronc is used mainly for towing and fishing so I'm going to try the 5w50 synthetic and see how it goes.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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I use 15/50 Mobil 1 (20/50 Valvoline Durablend as an alternate) in the summer in my 302's, but not in the winter. It can get as cold as -40*F were I live in the dead of winter. So I run a lighter Mobil 1 full synthetic in the winter. Either 5-30 or 0-40. 0/40 was designed for running Mercedes and BMW's in cold climates. I tried using Valvoline full synthetic and found it doesn't pour like Mobil 1 in the cold. I'm a believer in a bit heavier is better as long as it's not too thick at start up. I think running a 50 weight in the heat is fine for a 302. Using 15/50 doesn't seem to make any difference in fuel milege, but it sure shows better oil pressure on the guage when it's 97 degrees outside and the AC is running. The lifters and rocker arms are a bit quieter too. One of my brothers has a T-Bird with the 4.6L V8. He always ran the recomended 5/30, but at about 180,000 miles it started getting a bit noisey in the valve train. He's not ready to tear it down yet, so he switched to heavier 15/40. The engine got quieter again. I change the oil and filter at about every 3000 miles no matter what.
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