5W30 in an SOHC at 90F?

[kevinapg]

I just bought an Explorer with the V6 SOHC and the manual says to use 5W30 oil no matter what the ambient temp is. Is this what everyone is running? I live in FL and winter is typically 70F and the summer is 80-90F.

It's been awhile since I've had a conventional engine....my rotary takes 20W50.

 

[tbomb]

i live near philly. our winters can get to around 0 degrees, and our summers can get to around 90-100, and i run 5w-30 mobil one sunthetic.

 

[Stephen S]

I run 10W-30 in mine. Mine is an OHV, but I'm not sure if that makes any difference.

Originally posted by kevinapg
It's been awhile since I've had a conventional engine....my rotary takes 20W50.

Very cool! What kind of car is the engine in?? Do you have any pictures of it?? I don't think I've ever seen a rotary engine.

 

[kevinapg]

My Rotary powered RX-7 Vert....
http://ourworld-top.cs.com/flrxster

 

[Stephen S]

Thanks for that. I think I'd like to learn a little more about those engines. They sound interesting.

 

[Xplor]

kevinapg, I live in FL too and I just buy 10w30. If you check out those quick lubes places, they pretty much use 10w30 in FL anyways. Like you said about the temperature, it doesn't freeze too often.

 

[Robert]

My '97 SOHC 4.0L has never had anything but 5W30 in it. It's first year was in Ohio where it saw low temperatures of -5F. It's last 3 1/2 years have been in Arizona where it has seen a high of 118F. It never uses a drop of oil between the 3K-5K changes and the last two oil changes I have had Blackstone Laboratories do a diagnostics test on and they both came back excellent with no metals found. I'm sticking with 5W30 since it is what Ford recommends.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

im up to 12w-50. its been my upbringing that a hard worked older motor (135k now) needs a heavier oil. i probably dont need that heavy an oil.

BTW i see to guys from glorida that i dont know. kevin and xplor check out Dead Link Removed. we are sprun from this site and are associated with the east coast explorer club. we have frequent meets. it would be good to see you on the trail. be suer ot register on the forumn and give us a shout.

 

[FMExplorer]

I've been running 10w 30 in mine forever and a day now (150k miles). I am going to switch both the X and the Volvo (200k) over to 50 weight as both are starting to leak a bit. If your not dripping at all, you don't need to switch away from 10w 30.

Jon

 

[TPLYNCH]

Ford recommends the 5w-30 in order to get oil to the top of the engine quicker on startup. Especially with the SOHC.... That's their way of trying to cut down on the start up clatter.

 

[Xplor]

Buchvilleman, thanks... yeah I notice that you guys have a little club in FL. My truck never seen mud before..LMAF Its going to stay attached to the pavement. But If am ever down in the area, I'll look you guys up. I got shotgun, if that ever happens

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

we are very spread out bunch. im about 2 hours west of you. we have guys centrally located for the most part but all the way to the southern tip. you should join anyway, even if you are not going to be doing much wheeling.
BTW if you know of any places around JAX St. Aug area to wheel we are always itching for new locations. and you are welcome to ride shotgun anytime with me, of course that usually means you have to help get me unstuck (as that is inevitable)

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by TPLYNCH
Ford recommends the 5w-30 in order to get oil to the top of the engine quicker on startup. Especially with the SOHC.... That's their way of trying to cut down on the start up clatter.

Except the 5W30 has been recommended for the SOHC before the clatter problem showed up. Ford even issued a TSB in '97 that mentions that as of that time, 5W30 was the recommended oil for every new Ford sold. I believe now they are even recommending 0W20 or something very light like that on some cars. The lighter the oil, the better the fuel mileage. You just need to have a very tight motor that can handle it without leaking.

 

[wpurple]

I run Mobil 1 0W30 in mine year round and even when towing.
The new V10's require 5W 20!

The old saying thicker is better doesn't apply anymore,
tighter tolerances require thinner oil. We have come along way in machining tolerances.

..just my 2 cents worth.

Kurt
97 Sport OHV 5 speed

 

[RTStork]

I recommend a good synthetic 5W30 or 10W30. Mobil1, Amsoil, Redline, and Royal Purple make excellent oils.

 

[paullfisher]

I use Amsoil 0W-30 year round in all of my vehicles.

 

[ok89]

I'm running 10w30 with no problems what-so-ever. To be specific I'm running Exxon Superflo 10w-30 Conventional Oil on a 3000 mile plan.