1st Gear

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Posts: 191

Which weight oil do you use?

I have used 5w20 weight oil for the first two oil changes but I am considering 5w30 for the warmer weather. Does anyone have thoughts about this? Have you used any other weight oils?

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location:
Posts: 108

I don't think 5w-30 will hurt anything except a fraction of an mpg.

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Platinum Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 675

I use 5-30 all year. IMHO it is much better for the engine than the 5-20.

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NC
Posts: 31

I am using the 5-30 also.

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Posts: 84

Ford recommends 5W-20 that's what I use!
They designed the engine they ought to know what works best in it.
Walmart sells Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic/blend for $1.70 Qt. Cheap price for a blend so why not use it?

IMHO,
I get a kick out of people trying to second guess the manufacturer of an engine and use something "they" think is better.

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NC
Posts: 31

Something Better?

The manufacturer might not have the same reason as the customer for the product. The manufacturer might have fuel mileage in mind when I might be using the auto to pull a light weight trailer and need to use a different oil.
Remember the Firestone blow out problem, Ford came back and changed the recomended air pressure in the tires.
I do not second guess the manufacturer, I check out as much info about a product and use what I think will give me the best outcome.
5-30 weight oil is approved by the manufacturer to use in the engine.

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Fresno, Cali
Posts: 32

I use 4qts of 5w20 and .5 qts of 20w50 to help alittle with the cam/valve noise.

Only run Royal Purple full synthetic. ITs the best!

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1st Gear

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 131

I use

10-W30 in my v6 Escape.

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 50

I use 5W-20 because it is recommended. My mechanic hates it , though, because he does not stock it and always has to go out and get it!!

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[shift] 4th Gear!

Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Chicago
Posts: 404

I've never had trouble finding 5w20. So that's what I use.

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Platinum Overdrive

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2461

Everyone keep saying how 5W20 gets better mpg but will damage your engine... you guys know most of the major oil manufacterers have warrantys also right? (in other words they warranty against defect also, Ive even seen some as high as 400K! (which is way beyond what I expect my Escape to go even if Im lucky)

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Platinum Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 675

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brian Fenner
Ford recommends 5W-20 that's what I use!
They designed the engine they ought to know what works best in it.
Walmart sells Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic/blend for $1.70 Qt. Cheap price for a blend so why not use it?

IMHO,
I get a kick out of people trying to second guess the manufacturer of an engine and use something "they" think is better.

---

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 6

Hi all,

Good thread by the way, I'm getting ready for my first oil change at 3,000 miles in a few weeks (didn't want to wait until 5,000).

I've seen all the info on 5w20 vs 5w30, and I'm thinking that 5w30 is the way to go. However, I can't get anything in writing from my Ford dealer that says that it's OK to switch to 5w30. Even though there is a TSB on the Mazda Tribute that gives this an official blessing, my Ford dealer is adamant that 5w20 is what I should use.

This may be a newbie question, but is 5w20 only recommended (not required), and can I use 5w30 or any other oil without any negative consequences?

If I switch to 5w30, will that void my Ford warranty? Will it also impact or void any 3rd party warrenty I have like 1sourceauto or Warranty Direct?

I know for the long summer drives that we have that I definitely don't want 5w20 in there, and I plan on using synthetic no matter what, but I don't want to switch it to 5w30 unless I see an OK in writing or have a reasonable assurance if this is OK.

Any help out there? Thanks!
/Brian

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Posts: 84

"It increases the average mileage of their fleet of vehicles slightly which is better for them. It does nothing for you. After your warranty is up, it is no problem for Ford if you car breaks. It is actually good for them because they get to sell you parts."

I value your opinion but don't agree with it.
Do you honestly think Ford is going to recommend an oil just for gas mileage with no regard as to what happens after the factory warranty runs out?
How long do you think they would stay in business if there engines only last 36K miles?
I'm sure Ford has done extensive testing with this oil before they recommended it for use on this engine and others. If indeed it does give me better gas mileage that's a benefit for me!
Things improve and things change. Just because it's the same engine and now they recommend a different viscosity oil maybe just maybe they are making things better?

Nothing against your expert..............but did he design the engine?
I'm using what they recommend, they designed the engine.

This is just my opinion yours may differ..................

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