5w20 question for monsta
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Elder User
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From: Kentucky
5w20 question for monsta
Ok, I understand that multigrade oil does not thicken as it warms. So the question begs...how can 5w30 hurt an engine that Ford says needs 5w20 when they both start out as a 5 weight base oil? The cold start viscosity (a very crucial element to engine life) should be the same.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Trussville, Alabama
5w20 question for monsta
I ain't Monsta, but I'm gonna guess: The viscosity, at operating temps, of the 20 -vs- the 30. 20 weight would be "thinner" allowing for easier pumping and better flow.
There are probably others, but that is one that comes to mind.
My guess is xxW-30 will not hurt the engine, I have seen evidence to convince me 10W-30 does just fine.
My gut still tells me the lighter oils are to help CAFE numbers.
Brian A
There are probably others, but that is one that comes to mind.
My guess is xxW-30 will not hurt the engine, I have seen evidence to convince me 10W-30 does just fine.
My gut still tells me the lighter oils are to help CAFE numbers.
Brian A
Sit. Stay.
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From: Washington State
5w20 question for monsta
>So the question begs...how can 5w30 hurt an engine that Ford says needs 5w20 when they both start out as a 5 weight base oil?
Who said that it would? I'd like to see that if it is printed somewhere!
Who said that it would? I'd like to see that if it is printed somewhere!
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Elder User
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From: Kentucky
5w20 question for monsta
I agree with you Ken, I haven't seen it in print. I am not sure where the Ford service advisors are getting the info they are telling me, which is that my 3.0 needs the thinner oil because of 'clearences'. I have a hard time believing that a mass produced, inexpensive 3.0 is 'tighter' than the European luxury cars that specify a 40 wt.
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5w20 question for monsta
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Oct-02 AT 10:43 PM (EST)] My wife's car is a 2001 Linclon LS with the 3.9 V8. In the owners manual this engine gets the 5/30. The standard engine 3.0 V6 gets the the 5/20. What gives? If the 5/20 is so good to replace the 5/30 in dang near all the other f*rd engines why not the lincoln V8?
Were they worried about it maybe being too thin?
Were they worried about it maybe being too thin?
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Elder User
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From: Kentucky
5w20 question for monsta
I found an SAE viscosity scale in another site and it shows the viscosity measured in cSt@100 C. for 20 weight is approx. 6 to 10 and 30 weight is approx. 10 to 13. Mobil1's web page shows M1 5w30 at 9.7, does this mean M1 5w30 is right on the border and technically falls into a 20 weight range as well as 30 weight?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
5w20 question for monsta
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Oct-02 AT 10:45 PM (EST)]okay people I see the point but think of it this way. as someone said up there ^ there was a V6 3.0 that used 5W20 and the 3.9V8 used 5W30 well Ill tell you, its because the V6 runs alot cooler. V8 run hotter due to the extra bearings, pistons valves and other stuff its got to haul around too this causes much more friction thus turning it to heat. The 5W30 is better to run for hotter engines, the "30" indicates a higher heat rating. The 20 is probably supposed to run at say 70-110 degrees and the 30 is probably supposed to run at 120-160 anymore than that and Id run a 40 base. 
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Durand, IL
5w20 question for monsta
I have a '96 car that specifies 5w30 and I run 15w50 for better protection in the summer. I have 180,000 miles on it with no problems whatsoever. Thinner oils can give better gas mileage, but not better protection in my opinion. Do you think car makers found out during testing that thinning the oil will get the engines so they wear out sooner so you have to replace them?..hence the thin oil spec? Sometimes I wonder....
I will probably run 10w40 syn. in my new truck when I get it.
I will probably run 10w40 syn. in my new truck when I get it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Running Springs CA
5w20 question for monsta
> My wife's car is a 2001 Linclon LS with the 3.9 V8. In the
>owners manual this engine gets the 5/30. The standard engine
>3.0 V6 gets the the 5/20. What gives? If the 5/20 is so good
>to replace the 5/30 in dang near all the other f*rd engines
>why not the lincoln V8?
> Were they worried about it maybe being too thin?
The 3.9 is a Jag, not Ford, designed engine like the 3.0. The engineers in England probably had to fight to get the 5W20 nixed from the owners manual for North America. Does the 3.9 call for synthetic?
Jim
>owners manual this engine gets the 5/30. The standard engine
>3.0 V6 gets the the 5/20. What gives? If the 5/20 is so good
>to replace the 5/30 in dang near all the other f*rd engines
>why not the lincoln V8?
> Were they worried about it maybe being too thin?
The 3.9 is a Jag, not Ford, designed engine like the 3.0. The engineers in England probably had to fight to get the 5W20 nixed from the owners manual for North America. Does the 3.9 call for synthetic?
Jim
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Orange county NC
5w20 question for monsta
Well, I have a buddy who bought a new car and it recommended 5-20. The first oil change, he thought that 5-20 was too light, so he put 5-30 in it. It knocked like he11 when he started it. He called a ASE certified buddy of his and sked him about it, his bud told him that the clearance on the new cars are builkt tighter, and until the motor got some good miles on it, it should be run with the recommended oil. He claimed the factory was building the motors tighter to get the longer service mileage out of them (the 100k mile claims they all like to spout about). My bud drained the 5-30, put 5-20 in it, and it was fine.
My opinion, I think on the brand new cars, it's more important to use the recommended weight than on one that has 35k+ miles on it.
My opinion, I think on the brand new cars, it's more important to use the recommended weight than on one that has 35k+ miles on it.
Posting Guru
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From: Chicago Area
5w20 question for monsta
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Oct-02 AT 06:53 PM (EST)]Wow, hard to believe 5W30 could make that much difference compared to 5W20. Sure would like to have confirmation that the clearances have changed.
MrBSS
MrBSS