2002 F150
4.2L V6 Engine
+120,000 miles on it
Owners manual recommends SAE 5W-20.
I live in San Diego, so typical whether for this fall 45-75degrees F

Any oil recommendations?

 

Motorcraft 5W-20, it is available at Wal-Mart. This oil is a synthetic blend and all I run in my 1999 F-150 4.2L with 130,000 miles and have had no issues what so ever. While I'm there I always pick up the Motorcraft (Purolator) oil filter.

 

yup....I agree. GREAT oil at a GREAT price

 

I've used the Motorcraft 5/20 in my Windstar since new, it now has 120,000 miles and I change every 6,000 miles with no problems.

 

I ended up getting the Penzoil 5/20 and Jiffy Lube serviced it. I mistook one of the bolts under the car as the oil seal (thinking it was the oil seal because it and the surrounding area were covered in oil) and couldn't get that bolt off. Probably a good thing because that unknown bolt probably wasnt meant to come off at random.

 

I have an 03 Explorer with a 4.6L V8 which also requires the 5W20. I was running the Motorcraft 5W20 and switched to Mobil1 5W20 Extended Performance about a year ago. I buy the oil when it's on-sale with a free Mobil1 filter. Great price on a good oil and the vehicle runs fantastic... so I'm happy

 

Welcome to FTE.

A specified engine oil viscosity, that says on it's container that it's licensed by Ford & meets or exceeds that specification, will likely do fine for your engine, in your area.

There are a couple of other things in your above post that concerns me & that is the apparent oil leak & your wanting to learn to turn wrenches on your ride, like changing your own oil & filter, but not being sure which bolt to remove to drain the engines oil sump.

SO, maybe enquire about where the oil drain fastener is loacted on your engine, what it's specified tightening torque is, what kind of seal it's supposed to have, is it in place & in good shape.

This info could come from asking, or searching a number of forums on this site, or investing in a good service manual, or service CD for your vehicle.

Your local library might be a good source to begin with, as you could review a number of different service/repair publications, to determine which ones format, details, discriptions, presentations, like pictorials, illustrations & photos, best meet your needs, before you invest.

Look into where the oil leak is coming from & repair, or have a pro repair it, before damage is done to the system thats leaking it's lubricant.

Lubricant leaks usually get worse with time, so find & fix this problem before the system lays down on you from lack of lubricant.

If your going to have someone else do your oil changes or repairs, be aware that Many oil change places aren't known for quality work, as they hire unskilled workers at minimum wage.
So the turn over rate is high & work quality is often low, as the motovation for quality work just isn't there as they concentrate on the Volume of work done, not the quality there-of!!!!

Make sure the folks where your having work done, know what they are doing.
Watch them do it & ask questions if need be!!!!

More thoughts for consideration.

 

The serviceman showed me where the oil drain fastener is. I was definitely not unscrewing the right bolt the first time around.

I am going to check out a Ford Pick-up service manual to find out more about the lubricant leak and which bolt it was that I was trying to unscrew. Hopefully the manual will also give me some insight on my catalytic converter problem. A mechanic said the grinding noise coming from my truck while the engine is running is probably because of a broken converter.