Oil change question

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Sep 13, 2008 | 02:22 PM

digger52

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jan 2005

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From: Coldwater Mi.

Oil change question

Wanted to check with some of you guys before I dump the break in oil out of my wifes 08 . I 've always run about 2000 miles on the first change , question is Ford wants 5W30 and I've always run 10W30 in her 04 untill it got some miles then switched to 15W40 . It runs enough to get up to normal temp. before she's at work , so I change every 25-3000 miles. I've heard that they want the 5W because of the valve train tolerances being so tight . I just could never get it through my head to run 5W oil in anything. I use Chevron Delo 400 oil so I know that even at 3000 mile changes it's over kill.
Thanks Brian

Sep 13, 2008 | 02:25 PM

MisterCMK

Fleet Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Blue Hill Township

Use what the manual recommends.

Sep 13, 2008 | 02:40 PM

rebelyell618

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: Llano and Huntsville, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterCMK

Use what the manual recommends.

+100

5W20 or 5W30 is best for most of the newer ford engines.

15W40 is way to thick, you can get away with 10W30 but the 2 listed oil (5W's) weights are still the better choices.

Sep 13, 2008 | 02:52 PM

NORTHLAND06

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: IOWA

I owned 02 F-150 with 5.4L in it. I started out with 10w-30 and gas mileage wasn't good and went to 5w-30 and mpg improved and then went to 5w-20 and got better mpg's so it makes differnce which oil you use. I have 05 F-150 with 5.4L in it and i am only going to use 5w-20 in it.

Sep 13, 2008 | 03:05 PM

Twinsdad98

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 680

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From: Michigan

Use the 5W20. The newer engines were developed for this grade. As Northland points out, it's all about fuel economy. I have 104K on my 04 and have only used 5W20. If something were to happen to the motor, the dealer could void your warranty for running too thick of a viscosity.

Sep 13, 2008 | 04:34 PM

Tylus

MMNC (SS)(Ret)

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 11,602

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From: SE Georgia

running too thick a viscosity can actually hurt your engine.

it makes it work harder to get lubricated...and some of the tighter internal clearances are too small for the thick stuff to fully lube

use the 5w20

I've used it in all my Fords since about 2002/2003. Had 0 issues in my old 1990's trucks (in sig) with the 5w20 also.

Sep 13, 2008 | 06:29 PM

Tom

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Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 25,479

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From: Isanti, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by digger52

Holy CRAP!!!

You really, honestly use DIESEL oil on your gasoline engine???!!!

Do you understand how crucial oil is to your engine's lifespan? Do you understand that if even a small segment of your motor isn't getting the proper lubrication due to WAAY TO THICK OIL, that you could blow the motor?

Do you realize that it costs upward of $5,000 to replace an engine? Do you also realize that Ford will do a oil analysis to figure out what caused the engine to fail, and upon realization that you were using oil that is grossly inappropriate for the application, WILL NOT COVER IT???

Another case of the backyard mechanic believing he knows more than the engineers that built the truck.

Use the RECOMMENDED 5w20 oil, change it every 5,000 miles, as RECOMMENDED...and don't worry about it.