is anybody using 0w-20 synthetic oil in their 2009 escape? i just changed the oil in my wifes escape (14k miles) yesterday with amsoil 0w-20 synthetic (6 quarts) and a motorcraft fl-500s filter. after she got home today i took a look under the escape and there was one small drip of oil on the bottom of the filter. would the thinner oil be leaking past the gasket? is this anything to be concerned about? any input would be appreciated...

 

Might be a drop left over from when you changed it, but keep an eye on the ground after you've parked the Escape and check the dipstick every few days if you have any doubts. Any possibility that the old filter gasket stuck to the surface and you have 2 gaskets? That happened to me once, but it just pumped out a quart when I started it (oops...)

I don't know that you really want to change to an oil that is not the recommended 5W20 weight and which does not meet the API specs, though. Although it's unlikely to cause you problems, it is not a Ford approved lubricant for warranty purposes and in theory could void your warranty if there is an oil related problem. If you want to use syn, you'd be better off with something like 5W20 Pennzoil Platinum, Valvoline Synpower, or your favorite API rated flavor.

George

 

If the filter is tightened enough I wouldn't worry about it. Our 04 has the same drop on the end of the filter. Usually just clean it off and it doesn't come back during the 1 year or 10k oci.

 

It's probably the little extra oil from lubricating the filter gasket that got squeezed out when you tightened the filter. One drop sounds about right.

I wouldn't sweat the use of Amsoil or 0W-20. The 0w-20 meets or beats all 5W-20 performance specs, and the Amsoil stuff is top-notch.

 

thanks for the replies... i will check again when i get home from work to see if there are any more drips. i agree that amsoil is top-notch synthetic and out-performs just about every other oil out there. i have used it in my previous cobra's, and use it now in my z06 vette with great success. the only thing is that they don't produce a 5w-20 synthetic anymore... the 0w-20 replaced it.

 

The Amsoil XL series still comes in a 5W-20, and it's API certified, so you can go that route if you like.

 

the XL isn't 100% synthetic and it doesn't offer near the protection that the signature series does...

also, the signature series will offer better fuel economy and much longer drain intervals.

 

he he he...

nice to know there are other purists out there also...

I run the SSO in my Expy in the winter, mainly for the cold flow characteristics, and switch to HDD in the spring for the add pack. The wife's Taurus gets the ASM all year 'round, the 0W-20 and Duratec 30 combo is unbeatable. I like having to get under both cars only twice a year.

 

just to update... i checked everything last night and again today and no more drips. it appears that i am in good shape.