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Filluptanks Champion Author Ohio Posts:9,907 Points:1,945,030 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2006 11:08:10 PM Ignore Filluptanks Report Abuse What do you guys think of this? A visit to my local Ford dealer and a short talk with the service writer revealed to me that their bulk oil is 5W20 and any thing I brought in to have an oil change at their advertised price would get that. I was also informed that the older Fords would work just fine with no extra wear while using this lighter weight oil. My logic says to use the oil viscosity recommended on the dip stick or owners' manual. What say you folks?

Filluptanks

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Ohio

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Message Posted: Dec 7, 2006 11:08:10 PM

Ignore Filluptanks Report Abuse

What do you guys think of this? A visit to my local Ford dealer and a short talk with the service writer revealed to me that their bulk oil is 5W20 and any thing I brought in to have an oil change at their advertised price would get that.

I was also informed that the older Fords would work just fine with no extra wear while using this lighter weight oil.

My logic says to use the oil viscosity recommended on the dip stick or owners' manual.

What say you folks?

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

440-6GTX Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,338 Points:346,340 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 6, 2007 9:00:55 AM Ignore 440-6GTX Report Abuse I have two vehicles that use 5W20 and I run full synthetic in all my cars without a problem or concern. I have even looked into some of my older cars while doing service and never noticed a problem. The engines never show or exhibit any real signs of wear of scuffs. Of course, I am religious about my oil changes, using good brands of oil and always WIX oil filters.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,785 Points:815,310 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2007 5:50:47 AM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse I run the 5w20 in winter and 10w30 the rest of the year.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,337 Points:693,275 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2007 11:39:17 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse I just don't see the benefit of 5W20 oil. I have not seen one single test that indicated that, on the road, 5W20 gave better mileage than 5W30 if they were of the same quality. I've had a 2001 Ford Focus for which 5W20 was recommended. I got rid of it as soon as I could. I installed a 5W50 oil and it ran beautifully, cold or hot. Gas mileage was usually 2-3 or even 4 MPG above the EPA estimate. Because of the low power of the vehicle, I traded it at 18.5K but during that time, it burned about 9.5 oz. of oil. I've had two vehicles since. One was a Ford Focus SVT that was great on power but had more rattles than I could believe. It burned about half the oil of the first Focus, mainly because it never used 5W20 at all. My current ride, a Ford Ranger w/4.0L V-6 has burned about 4 oz over the last 37K miles (on the same oil). I am of the opinion that 5W20 just allows too much wear. Oil: Fuel Economy vs. Wear
GasCraze116 Champion Author Allentown Posts:2,515 Points:557,275 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2007 7:54:55 PM Ignore GasCraze116 Report Abuse I think it would be fine
LewPoberezny Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:7,612 Points:1,546,150 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Dec 25, 2006 6:23:54 AM Ignore LewPoberezny Report Abuse Oil technology changes just like anything. 5W20 shoud be fine in most fords.
CORVETTEKID Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,938 Points:743,060 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2006 12:53:54 PM Ignore CORVETTEKID Report Abuse 5w20 won't cut it,sorry. I'll stick with 10w30 for the peace of mind, thanks anyway
Filluptanks Champion Author Ohio Posts:9,907 Points:1,945,030 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2006 9:40:09 AM Ignore Filluptanks Report Abuse My question actually is: has Ford changed the specs for the older cars as a correction or for the better?
CrankyFord Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,737 Points:403,130 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 12, 2006 5:44:42 AM Ignore CrankyFord Report Abuse Why use anything other than what the manual suggests?
JWRose Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,650 Points:258,895 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Dec 12, 2006 3:31:52 AM Ignore JWRose Report Abuse I won't use anything other than 5W20 in my 03, but I still like 5W30 in my older cars. They are designed differently. The 5W20 won't hurt on a short term basis, but the 20 doesn't provide the same protection for long term.
azcarman Champion Author Phoenix Posts:13,063 Points:2,792,460 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2006 5:44:38 AM Ignore azcarman Report Abuse Check your owners manual for specifications I believe you will find that 5w20 is the oil most ford gas powered vehicles call for! We buy oil in bulk, 2500 gallons, at a time in grades 5w20, 5w30, and 15w40(for diesels) but stock quarts of other grades. Of course it costs us more if you want a different grade of oil. Your dealership probably stocks synthetic oil too for those who want it.