My dad just bought a new 2006 F150 Super Crew with the 5.4L engine. To make a long story short, I'm looking for an oil to run in it. Normally I would just run Mystik and be done with it, but since they dont make a 5w20, that's not really an option. I'll probably run a conventional like Citgo's 5w20 which I know meets Ford's spec, but I ran across something while researching.

I was looking at the Redline oil site, during the 5 minutes I thought I might just run synthetic in it (a moment of weakness). I didn't see anything about it meeting any specific manufacturer requirements. So I sent 'em an email:

I have a new 2006 F150 with the 5.4L engine. The manual states that the oil must meet Ford spec WSS-M2C930-A. Does your 5w20 meet this spec?

Here is the response I got:

Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, the Red Line 5W20 would meet the Ford engine oil specification.

The part that has me concerned is the word "would." This implies that either:
1. It doesn't meet the spec, or
2. They didn't bother to have it tested.

Not that this really affects me, but I thought it kind of odd. Anyone have any comments or more information?

 

I have never seen an API certification on Redline oils. Their website is rather evasive about it as well. The best wear metal numbers that I have gotten with my Triton is with Havoline 5w-20. It is a blend of dino and Gp III with about half the amount of moly that Redline has- about 400ppms. This is a lot considering that moly is fairly expensive to put into a formualtion. It would be my pick of the bunch including the boutique synthetics. Sorry I couldn't help more. Maybe Tallpaul can help as he runs it in his Ford Aerostar (I think it is).

 

Havoline? When I was doing my research, all I could find on their website is that it meets the Ford spec WSS-M2C153-H. Does it also meet the 930-A spec? Isn't the WSS-M2C930-A newer?

 

Redline probably has not been tested against the Ford spec. With that said, the internals of every engine I've ever seen, that ran Redline exclusively, looked as clean as new.

I wouldn't run RL in a truck under warranty, but once out of warranty, I wouldn't hesitate to use it, price notwithstanding.

 

I'm suprised they didn't add their little warning not to run the Redline the first 3000 miles. Wavinwayne has it. Unless you can forward Redline's response to the Ford dealer and get an okay from them, you probably should stick with an oil that definitely meets the spec, just so they have absolutely no excuses to deny a warranty claim.

The Redline in the Aerostar seems to be doing fine, but haven't done a UOA on it.

 

I've got nothing against Redline, but I'd have a hard time buying the stuff when you could pick up some Penzoil Platinum 5w20 Synthetic for $3.98 a qt (which I'm currently experimenting with in my 5.4L, and does meet the Ford spec). I know that they are two different formulations.

FWIW here's a UOA from my F150 with MC 5w20, I'm sure that you've looked at it, but here it is anyway.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=478630

 

Super, I thought you were after a cheap oil? are you planning on 10k oil changes?

 

Yeah, I'm going to try to extend my OCI's, it's getting really old changing the oil every 3 weeks (I like to do it, but I've got loads of other stuff to do usually).

From what I've read, I just don't think that any synthetic blend will make the 10k mark.

I figure if I can get PP to make 10K, then cost wise it would be the same as changing out MC 5w20 two times in the same interval. Even if I could get PP in the 8500 mi range it would still be close enough for me to consider doing on a full time basis. If I can get more, icing on the cake.

Since MC 5w20 is $2.07 a qt and PP is $3.97, it would all wash out less one oil filter for the PP extended OCI.

At 5K, Ill pull a small amount out and send it off for a UOA. Right now it's wishfull thinking untill I get a UOA back.