I have a 2000 Expedition 5.4L and I keep hearing different stories about which weight oil (synthetic) to use, 5-30w or 5-20w.

 

We always used the 5w20 at the service station I worked at. Most times the manual said to use the synthetic. Most all Fords of the newer generations called for that oil. It runs the same price wise as the regular oil.

 

what part of the country do you live in?

if it gets pretty hot in the summer, I'd run 5w-30.

 

Vancouver WA

 

I run Castrol GTX synthetic 5w20 in my truck. It's seems to work for me.

 

This question is prolly better answered in the Oil and Lubrication Forum.


In the modular engines, 5-20 or 5-30 will do well.

 

go out and look at the sticker under your hood.

 

I wholeheartedly agree... I don't know how many times I've seen people with the older modulars that call for 5W-30 complain that their engines burn too much oil. I always ask them what they run, and they reply "10W30... 5 weight is just too light for my tastes".

I believe that the tolerances are getting much tighter in these newer engines. Some of the old school folks have a hard time believing that 5W- or 0W- oil can keep an engine together, so they run a 10W- oil. IMO, this causes premature wear, which in turn causes their oil burning issues.

Bottom line... unless your engine is high mileage and experiencing problems (i.e. leaks or burning oil), read what it says on the filler cap and use it!

 

5-30 and 10-30 are the same weight oils at operating temps....Difference is that 5w30 has little better cold flow, and thats it.

 

What he said.

0w40 .. would be a 40w oil that has winter pumping like a 0 weight oil. Its not a 0 weight oil.

That being said
The motorcraft syn blend 5w20 is 1.77 at walmart and its a great oil.
or you can run your choice of pretty much anything.
5w-30 10w30 15w40 etc.

The new requirements for lighter oils are for C.A.F.E. not because of engine changes.

 

You're pointing out the obvious to me.

Let me also point out the obvious to you.

Most experts would agree that the majority of engine wear in an otherwise well maintained engine occurs at startup.

Most startups occur when the engine is "cold".

When the engine is "cold", your multi-viscosity oil should flow at the colder rating.

A lighter viscosity oil flows better than a higher viscosity oil when "cold".

It is extremely important for the motor oil to reach every point in the engine as soon as possible after startup, including each and every little nook and cranny where it's supposed to go.

Are you trying to tell me that using a higher viscosity oil than what the manufacturer recommends will be able to accomplish this better? If so, I'm not going to swallow that.

Not trying to be a butthole, but it sure seems like simple logic to me. Run the lightest "cold" rated oil possible that will not have detrimental effects otherwise. I think that the manufacturer has far more research into this than you and I, and I see no reason to doubt their recommendations.

C.A.F.E. or no C.A.F.E.

My $.02

 

While that is somewhat true. I dont think its as important as some other factors.. Not to say I would run 15w40 at 20degrees... Id probably run 5w30.
Then again in texas, you could run 15w40 year round and I bet you would have less wear(and the oil changes could be extended)

There are all sorts of stuff that figures into choosing an oil.
And as I said.. just about any modern oil would work fine.

 

I see your point on the temperature differences. In a warmer climate, that might be the ticket. I'd have to let someone else be my guinea pig though.

Just a thought... if ambient temperatures affect oil viscosity preferences, could altitude have the same affect?

 

We use Shell Rotela T semi-syn in everything 5.4/7.3 powerstroke. In the cold 0w-30, in the hot 10w-40. We have never had a consumption issue and run to the limit on change requirements. We work our trucks and need the protection, been doing this since 2001 with the highest milage truck at about 210,000 km. We have not had an engine touched yet except for maintenance issues. We retired an old F250 6.9 with 495,000km that needed 15w-40 12 mos. a year.

 

5w-20 is what (newer) Fords calls for. Everyone seems to speak really highly of the Motorcraft 5w-20, which is a synthetic blend. And, at $1.86 a quart at Wal-Mart you can't beat the price. There are very few Motorcraft/Ford OEM supplies that people speak so highly of and can be bought for such a reasonable price. I have full synthetic fluids (Mobil 1 & Amsoil) in the rest of my truck (ATF/Transfer case/diffs).