5w-20 vs thicker oils
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
This continues to be a very interesting thread!
Two questions emerge for me:
I have had great UOA numbers from conventional 10W30 (Chevron and Havoline) running 4500-5000 mile drain intervals in my 2000 4.2 (now at 160,000 miles)
a) What drain intervals have shown to be best for the 5W20 oils? Do I, can I, go 5K miles with the 5W20 in my 2005 4.2, if my historical driving practices have proven 10W30 is good for 5K miles in the 2000 4.2?
b) what are others UOA results looking like? I know Flash has access to data, but what about others? Any UOA numbers and at what drain interval?
I almost want to start a new thread for these 2 questions, but I'll wait and see if it gets any notice here.
Thanks all!
Two questions emerge for me:
I have had great UOA numbers from conventional 10W30 (Chevron and Havoline) running 4500-5000 mile drain intervals in my 2000 4.2 (now at 160,000 miles)
a) What drain intervals have shown to be best for the 5W20 oils? Do I, can I, go 5K miles with the 5W20 in my 2005 4.2, if my historical driving practices have proven 10W30 is good for 5K miles in the 2000 4.2?
b) what are others UOA results looking like? I know Flash has access to data, but what about others? Any UOA numbers and at what drain interval?
I almost want to start a new thread for these 2 questions, but I'll wait and see if it gets any notice here.
Thanks all!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
Brian,
I can't answer your questions, but I would like to say that since you are in Alabama, I would think that 10W30 would work great for you. In the Southern states it is rare when we see temps below the 20's. In that area I don't think that 5W oil is necessary.
Good luck,
Doc
I can't answer your questions, but I would like to say that since you are in Alabama, I would think that 10W30 would work great for you. In the Southern states it is rare when we see temps below the 20's. In that area I don't think that 5W oil is necessary.
Good luck,
Doc
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
5w20 has proven to be very good to 5000 and beyond. I am a believer in the thin oils. General oil preasure requirements are 10# for every 1000 rpm. I also believe that the 5w20 will hold up great in AL. Ford tested that oil well beyond 300 F for far longer time periods than your engine will ever see and it held up fine. Remember that 5w20 has less VI improvers than 5w30 or 10w30!!
just my 2cents
Dan
just my 2cents
Dan
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
Excessive VI additive is really not much of a factor on the V8's. Where it has its most detrimental effect is in the very small engines that are stressed to the max.
Even so, it has been shown in the past that a 25W spread is not too bad. It's when you get to a 30W spread or more where the amount of VI is really excessive, and that really only comes into play in the very small overstressed engines. This really showed up some years ago when 10W40 was popular.
I personally will never use 5W20 in my climate. 5W30 works great in the heat and is thin enough to prevent ill effects in the areas that I bulleted in my earlier post IMHO.
Have a great day,
Doc
Even so, it has been shown in the past that a 25W spread is not too bad. It's when you get to a 30W spread or more where the amount of VI is really excessive, and that really only comes into play in the very small overstressed engines. This really showed up some years ago when 10W40 was popular.
I personally will never use 5W20 in my climate. 5W30 works great in the heat and is thin enough to prevent ill effects in the areas that I bulleted in my earlier post IMHO.
Have a great day,
Doc
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 1
BrianA, your results are going to vary from brand and formulation to others. Take into consideration, Havoline or Pennzoil in 5w-20. Both have a good dose of moly. It helps with these oils as we see lower wear metals with oils using moly in this viscosity range. You can run them 5,000 miles with no concerns, they will make the trip. Some of the other brands are starting to get stretched at this point. So, running any of the 930 oils to 5,000 miles is not a problem. I would expect wear metals for an averagely driven 4.2 to be just above single digit for iron and the remainder lower.
Doc, you yankee Texans kill me. You think it's hot up there, come on down here big boy. We average 45 days of 115+F per year. If you are going out after lunch, start the engine at 9 am and the A/C too. By lunch, it won't cool the truck down no matter how long you run it. My 04 SCrew will almost run 15 hours a day during the summer just to keep the inside fairly cool. You don't dare turn one off. I run 5w-20 in my 4.6. I generally have single digit wear metals and the oil is still in spec at drain- 5000 miles. Ya need ta have a little more faith.
Later,
Doc, you yankee Texans kill me. You think it's hot up there, come on down here big boy. We average 45 days of 115+F per year. If you are going out after lunch, start the engine at 9 am and the A/C too. By lunch, it won't cool the truck down no matter how long you run it. My 04 SCrew will almost run 15 hours a day during the summer just to keep the inside fairly cool. You don't dare turn one off. I run 5w-20 in my 4.6. I generally have single digit wear metals and the oil is still in spec at drain- 5000 miles. Ya need ta have a little more faith.
Later,
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: South West MO
Is Synthetic Really Better ?
Just have 700 miles on my new F-250 V10. I think I read the owners manual pretty good but could have missed some stuff. Ford says use 5W-20 and I don't remember anything about useing anything different in Alaska or South Texas. But I think if I had to add a quart in mid summer I'd add 5-30.
I would like to know if synthetic is really better, like everything being equal will your engine last longer? If so I'll use it even if it cost's a little more. I plan to change every 5000 if I use synthetic and at about 2500 or 3000 miles if I use non synthetic.
I would like to know if synthetic is really better, like everything being equal will your engine last longer? If so I'll use it even if it cost's a little more. I plan to change every 5000 if I use synthetic and at about 2500 or 3000 miles if I use non synthetic.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
Flash,
You don't have to resort to name calling.
My mind reading skills are a bit weak. Since you, for whatever reason, don't choose to fill in your profile with your location, I have no way of knowing where "down here" is.
Everything is relative. Relative to Wisconsin or Canada, I think it's fair to say that it is warm almost anywhere in Texas. I've experienced my share of 108 degree days and I think that 108 qualifies as hot wherever you are. The highest I can remember is 112. Is there that much difference between 112 and 115?
Have a great day,
Doc
You don't have to resort to name calling.
My mind reading skills are a bit weak. Since you, for whatever reason, don't choose to fill in your profile with your location, I have no way of knowing where "down here" is.
Everything is relative. Relative to Wisconsin or Canada, I think it's fair to say that it is warm almost anywhere in Texas. I've experienced my share of 108 degree days and I think that 108 qualifies as hot wherever you are. The highest I can remember is 112. Is there that much difference between 112 and 115?
Have a great day,
Doc
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Thanks much Flash. I do appreciate the info.
It is not hot where I live.
It is not cold where I live.
It is neutral where I live.
I don't want to make enemies.
(In case it isn't obvious, my tounge is buried deep into my cheek)
It is not hot where I live.
It is not cold where I live.
It is neutral where I live.
I don't want to make enemies.
(In case it isn't obvious, my tounge is buried deep into my cheek)
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
Stay with dino with frequent changes
Originally Posted by Weevil
Just have 700 miles on my new F-250 V10. I think I read the owners manual pretty good but could have missed some stuff. Ford says use 5W-20 and I don't remember anything about useing anything different in Alaska or South Texas. But I think if I had to add a quart in mid summer I'd add 5-30.
I would like to know if synthetic is really better, like everything being equal will your engine last longer? If so I'll use it even if it cost's a little more. I plan to change every 5000 if I use synthetic and at about 2500 or 3000 miles if I use non synthetic.
I would like to know if synthetic is really better, like everything being equal will your engine last longer? If so I'll use it even if it cost's a little more. I plan to change every 5000 if I use synthetic and at about 2500 or 3000 miles if I use non synthetic.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: South West MO
Ok thanks. I'll keep checking all the info I can find. I have maybe a month or so yet to decide. If I change oil myself as I always have in the past, it will cost about $30 per change compared to about $10.50 per change of dino. Figure 7qts X $1.50 dino, and about $30 for 7qts of synthetic. Instead of changing at 3000 miles (dino) I went 9000 synthetic should come out the same. But dino and 3000 would cost more for filters. I always change filters every oil change.
I think going over 5000 between change would void my warranty.
I think going over 5000 between change would void my warranty.
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Personally, Ive always had great experiences with Motorcraft Premium Synthetic Blend 5W-20. Ran it in an Expedition 5.4 for 190,000 miles, not one engine wear related problem, when I sold it it started and ran like day one. I ran it at 5000 mile drain intervals and when I drained the oil I was suprised at how slick it remained unlike straight up dino oil. It has to be one of the better synthetic blends out there.
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