does it really matter?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Troy, Ohio
does it really matter?
Hello.
Does it really matter between 5w 20 and 10w 30?
I grabbed the wrong stuff off the shelf and have not changed it yet but does it matter? In another 3000 miles I'll put the 5w 20 back in. What's everybody think?
Thanks
Does it really matter between 5w 20 and 10w 30?
I grabbed the wrong stuff off the shelf and have not changed it yet but does it matter? In another 3000 miles I'll put the 5w 20 back in. What's everybody think?
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by fordtruckster
Hello.
Does it really matter between 5w 20 and 10w 30?
I grabbed the wrong stuff off the shelf and have not changed it yet but does it matter? In another 3000 miles I'll put the 5w 20 back in. What's everybody think?
Thanks
Does it really matter between 5w 20 and 10w 30?
I grabbed the wrong stuff off the shelf and have not changed it yet but does it matter? In another 3000 miles I'll put the 5w 20 back in. What's everybody think?
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Seeing that you are in ohio and the temps are very cold I would return it and get the 5w20, if it were summer time or you lived in a warmer climate I may have a different opinion.
Rc
Rc
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Sweet Home Alabama
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
i have a 2000 limited V10 and i have 5w30 in mine and actually my owners manual calls for 5w30...
i already had the oil so i used it, but i am in south FL and will go to 5w20 on the next change...
i read that ford changed the recomendation for better fuel consumtion, but only after they determined improvements in oil mfg have allowed them to do so... i don't remember when but there is a tsb on it that you can look up also...
i notice no loss in MPG by having the 5w30 in it...
i had a thread running but my concern was more about switching to synthetics in a higher milage engine (92,000+) than the weight...
i think you would be ok using it... it is the 5 that effects cold starting, and the 20/30 that is most important at operating temps... in my opinion the difference in the two is so small it won't hurt anything...
you can call ford and see what they say...
i have all reciepts for mine from when it was new, and it has had 5w30 in it for at least the frist three years... i am still going through all of that stuff...
i already had the oil so i used it, but i am in south FL and will go to 5w20 on the next change...
i read that ford changed the recomendation for better fuel consumtion, but only after they determined improvements in oil mfg have allowed them to do so... i don't remember when but there is a tsb on it that you can look up also...
i notice no loss in MPG by having the 5w30 in it...
i had a thread running but my concern was more about switching to synthetics in a higher milage engine (92,000+) than the weight...
i think you would be ok using it... it is the 5 that effects cold starting, and the 20/30 that is most important at operating temps... in my opinion the difference in the two is so small it won't hurt anything...
you can call ford and see what they say...
i have all reciepts for mine from when it was new, and it has had 5w30 in it for at least the frist three years... i am still going through all of that stuff...
Last edited by jjbirish; Jan 23, 2008 at 03:44 PM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
It does not matter. The oil specs in other countries call for 10W-30 in the V10 ... mostly because 5W-20 ain't available in many places. I run 10W-30 in mine because 5W-20 ain't a whole lot better than sewing machine oil. Some may say the V10 is built to tighter tolerances. Hogwash! Most factory-built tolerances are pretty broad ... they're better than they were in the 60s, but there's still a good deal of tolerance in factory-new engines. To prove it, all one needs to do is look through a factory service manual to see the allowable limits with new parts (not the wear limits). If anyone cares to disagree, CFICARE. I'll be cancelling further updates from this thread anyway.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Sweet Home Alabama
Originally Posted by cficare
If anyone cares to disagree, CFICARE. I'll be cancelling further updates from this thread anyway.
I agree that is there is probably not much difference between 5/20 and 10/30 but it calls for 5/20 so use it. anything else is fine for shorter drain intervals.
I'm gonna go run and hide....
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 445
Likes: 6
From: Montoursville, PA
My experience has been that the Ford modular engines do prefer the lighter weight oil. On my Town Car, when I ran thicker oil the car would actually idle rougher. Thinner oil will start pumping pressure through the engine faster, as well, which is never a bad thing. Clearances are tighter than they used to be, so there's less of a "need" for thicker oil like there was 40 years ago.
I'd say it doesn't matter and you won't notice a difference. That said, one thing I have learned (as an engineer of an OEM engine manufacturer, and formerly a mechanic) is don't second guess the manufacturer as a rule. They've done more testing on these engines than all of us combined ever will. Chances are, if they give you a requirement there is some reason behind it. Doesn't mean it's always a good one, but if 5W-20 was actually going to negatively impact your reliability, it wouldn't be in there as recommended for use. Doesn't mean that the factory always makes decisions in your best interest, but at the very least they know more about your engine than you do. With certain exceptions, you're best off just leaving things factory if you want to get the best longevity out of your truck.
I'd say it doesn't matter and you won't notice a difference. That said, one thing I have learned (as an engineer of an OEM engine manufacturer, and formerly a mechanic) is don't second guess the manufacturer as a rule. They've done more testing on these engines than all of us combined ever will. Chances are, if they give you a requirement there is some reason behind it. Doesn't mean it's always a good one, but if 5W-20 was actually going to negatively impact your reliability, it wouldn't be in there as recommended for use. Doesn't mean that the factory always makes decisions in your best interest, but at the very least they know more about your engine than you do. With certain exceptions, you're best off just leaving things factory if you want to get the best longevity out of your truck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
IowanStraight6
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Dec 8, 2010 12:49 PM
o2compressor
Escape & Escape Hybrid
14
May 15, 2010 09:53 PM