I finally went in and asked my local Ford service manager about using an oil other than 5W20. I decided that it was only fair to get their opinion to balance all the ones I've seen posted on web sites like this one. His answer was interesting. Yes, it was okay to use something other than 5w20. No, it wouldn't void the warranty. Still, they recommend the 20 weight because of tight engine tolerances and light weight oil's ability to lubricate better under those tolerances.

I'm no engineer, but I think he meant clearances, not tolerances. I'm pretty sure tolerances refer to design specifications. Clearances to actual part measurements. Nonetheless, I was struck by how easily he backed off using 5W20 oil. He acknowledged it is only "recommended" in the owners manual, not required. I realize his is only one dealer rep's opinion, and he does not speak for Ford, but I'm off to use a good full synthetic oil at the next oil change instead of a dino 5W20. I'll track actual mileage until then and see if it really does change with a slightly heavier oil. My only reservation...Ford's 5W20 oil is high in moly, a key antiwear additive used in some of the better known oils.

 

Very interesting that a Ford dealer used something other than Motorcraft. Did you furnish the oil or did they have it in stock?

 

Actually, that's not surprising at all. Bob Williams Ford used to use Quaker Wax oil all the time, and I remember Castrucci Ford used to use Valvoline, moderated, please do not slander individuals or businesses. One of my buddies has his oil changed by a Ford dealer in Indianapolis, and he told me they use regular Mobil Drive Clean dino oil, and Mobil 1 synthetic. John Nolan Ford a very long time ago used to use Valvoline, but they use Motorcraft oil in every oil change now.

2002 True Blue SVT Lightning
-all stock and will stay stock

 

Out of curiosity, why was my last message edited? It's not slander if you can prove it. Castrucci Ford cheated my parents, and blatantly lied to me. My parents were about to get a lawyer on Castrucci Ford, except Ford stepped in and bought their vehicle in question back.

2002 True Blue SVT Lightning
-all stock and will stay stock

 

junehhan, you made a strongly worded statement about the dealership without providing documentation to back it up. I don't doubt what you said is true. But it was off topic and didn't have anything to do with the dealer's choice of oil.

FWIW, I don't allow slamming of individual's or their business in this forum.

Thanks for your understanding and support.

 

I assure you that I have the proper documentation to back up my claims



I apologize, but everytime I hear that name, my blood boils. Perhaps i'll save this story for when someone asks about dealer experiences in the other general forum

2002 True Blue SVT Lightning
-all stock and will stay stock

 

>I apologize, but everytime I hear that name, my blood boils.

Please consider that you're NOT the first nor will you be the last person to have had an personal issue with a car dealer, a plumber, or an airline.

Not to diminish your personal feelings or what might or might not have occurred, but this is clearly hurting YOU more than THEM and you can't change that.
Whose blood is boiling? Yours or that of a bloodless corporate entity?
See?
Try you best to get over it and just move on with life.

It's like when someone deliberately cuts you off in traffic, it's never a personal thing directed at "Your Real Name" so it's not worth raging over. It never is. Even if you "win", you lose.

>Perhaps i'll save this story for when someone asks about
>dealer experiences in the other general forum

Don't anger over what's history.
Life is too short.
Let it go.

Take care,

-Bill in Colorado

 

>Very interesting that a Ford dealer used something other
>than Motorcraft. Did you furnish the oil or did they have it
>in stock?

They supplied the oil and I have had my oil changed there for my Focus all the time(helps to have a friend work there) no problem with either still.

 

Well my father 2001 F250 with 50,000 miles is still runing like new and he has only used 5W20 has not had any problems with it but we live in new england might be a diffrent story in texas.

 

We love to slam Mobil-1 groupies around here, well check out the newest mindless sheep on the block: The Ford dealership service advisors are 5w-20 groupies. I called the local Ford dealership (names withheld to protect the criminals), simply asking if they perform engine oil analysis, and I got to talking about my truck, and all the mods and such that I've done. Now, using his blind faith in Dearborne, he asks me, "hey, why don't you use 5w-20?". I kindly reminded him that my 2 piece, rope style rear main seal might make an easy escape from that atrociousness. He said, "oh yeah," and felt dumb. Maybe in one of those high-tech close tolerance mass-manufactured engines in might be a good idea, but old engines like to bleed from oil pans, and rear main seals, and I just don't want to risk an engine for a 1/10 of an MPG gain. Anyway, just thoght I'd share. At least us Mobil-1 groupies err on the side of over-protecting our engines. The 5w-20 sheep make a living repairing engines, so I guess we know where their motovation lies for risking inadequate protection. TK

'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing

 

Thanks for all the replies. I think when the dust settles, for me its a warranty issue. I have 32,000 miles of warranty remaining and while 10 years and 206,000 miles of experience has made me a dedicated follower of 3.0 Rangers and Castrol 5w/30, I have to protect my warranty. At 36,001 miles, guess what will be going in the crankcase.

 

Anyone have proof of 5W-20 hurting an engine?

Sounds like needless worry but then again I'm sure m1 will make that engine last 500K in extreme conditions like driving with the AC on in summer heat.

I always hear the "it's too hot in Texas" or Florida argument against using thin oil. One of the hottest places in America is the midwest and I've never heard anyone say "it is just to hot in Chicago to run thin oil". I live in Tennesse where temps get in to triple digits several times a year. I'm sure Texas is hotter but is the small difference in temp. enough to make a impact? I doubt it. I just got back from south Florida and it was HOT but they also lacked hills and curvy roads. The car works way harder in these mountains than it does in Florida heat.

Later
Stab

 

Your point's well taken, but we know that Ford has publicly committed to increasing gas mileage. One way to do this is to use thinner oil. If that results in shorter engine life, I'm guessing they're willing to take that risk with OUR engines.

MrBSS

 

Just had my oil changed again at the dealer and they used 10W30 Valvoline. I have been charting my gas milage since the begining of May and am averaging about 20.744 MPG over 3038. Since I have a 2002 Ranger with the 2.3L 4 banger and manual 5 speed so I should get about 24/28MPG. I admit that I can be a lead foot but would that make that big of a difference or is the oil taking that much economy away?

 

It's wierd, but in most cases, you'll never be able to achieve the EPA rated gas mileage on the window sticker. In order to achieve that kind of fuel economy, you'll really need to drive in the most perfect conditions as lightly as possible. What type of fuel are you running? Poorer quality fuels will often not have as much energy(BTU) content and will cause you to get poorer gas mileage. The only vehicle I have ever owned that exceeded the gas mileage rating was my 01 SVT Cobra. It was rated 16/25, but I was getting 8 in the city(lead foot), but 31mpg on the highway. I believe my Lightning is rated at 12/16, but i'm only getting 8mpg in the city, and 11-12 on the highway.

2002 True Blue SVT Lightning
-all stock and will stay stock