hello everybody. i'm a new member and i have a question. the mechanic who does maintinance my on 2000 van says even though it calls for 5 20 oil for the 4.6 triton engine, he says it's okay to use 10w30 in it. there is only 7500 miles on it because i dont't use it every day. i would like some other opinions. if somebody here can help i would appreciate it. thanks.

ed

 

Welcome to the forum


NOT RECOMMENDED. 5W30 at most. These engines require a 5W for start-up to get oul to the heads asap. The cams do not use cam bearings so getting oil to the top quickly is crutial. I have used 5w20 in my 01 since I got it. I have towed 7500 lbs in 98 degree weather with the a/c on and have had no problems. At 63,000 miles, it still uses no oil between changes. I use Motorcraft 5w20 semi-synthetic with a Motorcraft filter. If nothing else, always use a Motorcraft filter. They have the best anti-drainback valve in them.

 

Here's a little bit of info you can ponder, ever since I installed an analog gauge cluster in my truck (measures water temp) I noticed a noticable difference between the two weights, my truck will run about 5-10 degrees hotter with 5w30 compared to 5w20. I'm not saying that goes without saying for every modular out there, this is just what I observed in my truck.

 

I second this! I tow/haul motorcycles, dirtbikes, and ATVs with my 01, and never experienced a problem with the recommended weight.

I also use Motorcraft oil/filter on my 01 and my 94 L.

 

thanks to all for the input. the reason i asked was because the mechanic told me later that when the van was being worked on, [i wasn't there], some how the accelerator was accidently depressed while it was idling. if there was some kind of damage done, this could be why he mentioned the 10w30. the van runs fine with no noises and the tailpipe ia as clean as it ever was.
ed

 

I wouldnt run anything thicker than a 5w30. I run 5w30 in my truck but I also have 200,000 miles.

 

i run 5w30 and have never had any problems

 

I run 5w30 in mine and haven't had a problem yet. I use a fram filter and it seems to do its job. Some of the guys on here don't like the fram oil filters. I have used them for 2 oil changes and no problems. Mine has 185700 miles on uses no oil.

 

I am running 5W30 mobile 1 in my 5.4, no problems here. I will say that I have seen V10 powered trucks using 10W30 and they are still going strong at 170K miles.

 

I just bought a '97 F150 w4.6L. I only put about 10K miles per year on my trucks and I change oil about every 3000 miles so I've never thought it was necessary to pay the high price for synthetic oil. I usually use valvoline max life 10W-30. Is this OK to use in the 4.6 or is it really critical to use the 5W-30? If so is the recommended oil full synthetic or blended? Where can the motorcraft oil be purchased (other than the dealer)? I live in eastern N.C. It's usually above 90 degrees here in the summer and rarely gets below 20 - 25 degrees in the winter. Again, I'm used to cast iron pushrod emngines. I want this truck to last so If I need to change my mindset let me know.

 

i use motorcraft semi synthetic 5 20 and a k&n gold performance filter ...its only been a couple oil changes but it seems to be doing just fine...no news is good news!!! ill proabably stick with this combo for a while unless sometinhg drastic happen...by the way...is the k&n filter ok tp use on my 06 f250 5.4

 

Jimbo, I still wouldn't use any 10W unless the engine is just worn out. You can use dino oil, but 5w20 or 5w30 at most. Motorcraft oil is available at Walmart for a good price.

 

Im Going To Be Changing My Oil Again In A Couple Days...is It A Fine Combo To Use Motorcraft 5w20 And A K&n Gold Fitler

 

I have a 03 5.4 with 100000 miles its work duties include hauling a case 1340 skid steer, plow 20 driveways in winter, and idle at 5-10mph all day long bird hunting and i use a motorcraft oil filter and castrol syntec blend 5-20 and have had excellent results

 

I always ran Mobil One 5-20 full synthetic with a K&N gold filter in my 02 4.6L. I had no trouble. It should work with Motorcraft oil as well. The dealers changing my oil for the first 3 years. I'll run full synthetic again when my prepaid service is over.