What weight motor oil for a 5.0?

[obie]

Uhhhhhhhh, Ford retested various engines to run 5W20 in order to meet stricter emissions standards and increase fuel economy. Doesn't change the fact that the engine was designed to run on 5W30 oil.

Article No.02-1-9
ENGINE - ENGINE OIL - RECOMMENDED APPLICATIONS FOR SAE 5W-20 AND SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OILS - GASOLINE AND FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES ONLY

Publication Date: JANUARY 14, 2002

FORD: 1992-2002 CROWN VICTORIA
1993-94 TEMPO
1993-97 THUNDERBIRD
1993-2002 ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
1995-2000 CONTOUR
1998-2002 ESCORT ZX2
2000-2002 FOCUS
1993-96 BRONCO
1993-97 AEROSTAR
1993-2002 E SERIES, F-150, RANGER
1995-2002 WINDSTAR
1997-99 F-250 LD
1997-2001 EXPLORER
1997-2002 EXPEDITION
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES, SUPER DUTY F-53 STRIPPED CHAS.
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE
LINCOLN: 1991-2002 TOWN CAR
1993-98 MARK VIII
1993-2002 CONTINENTAL
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR
MERCURY: 1992-2002 GRAND MARQUIS
1993-94 TOPAZ
1993-97 COUGAR
1993-99 TRACER
1993-2002 SABLE
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER


This article is being republished in its entirety to update the vehicle models, engines and years affected.

NOTE: PLEASE REFER TO THE VEHICLE APPLICATION LIST LATER IN THIS TSB FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS TSB.



ISSUE:
Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.

ACTION:
All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20.

All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil.

Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil
1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer
1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique
1999-2002 2.0L Cougar
1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer
1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2
2000-2002 2.0L Focus
2001-2002 2.0L Escape
1993-1997 2.3L Ranger
1993-1994 2.3L Mustang
1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz
1998-2001 2.5L Ranger
1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique
1999-2002 2.5L Cougar
2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape
1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable
1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas)
1995-2000 3.0L (Vulcan) Windstar
1993-1994 3.0L (Vulcan) Tempo/Topaz
2000-2002 3.0L 4V Lincoln LS
1995-2002 3.8L Windstar
1993-1997 3.8L Taurus/Sable, Thunderbird/Cougar, Continental
1994-2002 3.8L Mustang
2002-2002 3.9L 4V Lincoln LS
1997-2002 4.2L (SPI) F-150 (under 8500 GVW only), E-Series
1996-2002 4.6L 2V Mustang
1992-2002 4.6L Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
1991-2002 4.6L Town Car
1994-1997 4.6L 2V Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2002 4.6L 4V Mustang Cobra
1995-2002 4.6L 4V Continental
1993-1998 4.6L 4V Mark VIII
1997-2002 4.6L 2V Triton F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), E-Series, Expedition
1993-1999 4.9L E-Series, F-Series
1993-1995 5.0L Mustang/Mustang Cobra
1993-1993 5.0L Thunderbird/Cougar
1997-2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
1993-1996 5.0L E-Series, F-Series, Bronco




2000-2002 5.4L Excursion
1998-2002 5.4L 2V/4V Navigator
1997-2002 5.4L 2V F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), Expedition, E-Series, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1993-1997 5.8L F-Series, Bronco
1993-1996 5.8L E-Series
2000-2002 6.8L Excursion
1997-2002 6.8L E-Series, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1999-2002 6.8L Super Duty F-Series 250 HD/350/450/550 Motorhome
1993-1998 7.5L All Vehicles
NOTE: FOR 1993 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEAR FFV USE XO-10W30-FFV.



NOTE: THE "EXCEPTION 2001-2002 VEHICLES" SHOULD BE SERVICED WITH SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL.



Exception 2001 Vehicles

Engine Vehicle
3.3L Villager
3.9L Lincoln LS
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac

Exception 2002 Vehicles

Engine Vehicle
2.0L HP Zetec SVT Focus
3.3L Villager
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac

NOTE: IF VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THIS APPLICATION, SAE 5W-30 OIL IS RECOMMENDED. REFER TO TSB 99-8-16.



PART NUMBER PART NAME
XO-5W20-QSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - Quart (USA)
CXO-5W20-LSP12 SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - Litre (Canada)
XO-5W20-5QSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 5 Quart Jug (USA)
XO-5W20-DSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 55 Gallon Drum (USA)
CXO-5W20-DBSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 205 Litre Drum (Canada)

_________________________________
Notice also that the 4.0L Explorers and Rangers are NOT recommended to switch.

 

[BubbaFL]

Ummm the emissions sticker on the radiator support of my 5.0 clearly says 5w30 in 24 point boldface type

Bill

Ford issued revised recommendations for the 5.0's back in 2002 - TSB 02-1-9 calls for 5w-20 in all 1997-2001 5.0 Explorers and Mounties.

Look at page 258 here (2001 owner's manual)

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WO1EXP/~MUS~LEN/41/01expog1e.pdf

 

[obie]

I'm going to type this really slowly so maybe you understand. The engine was built to run 5W30. Ford tested various engines with 5W20 and found some are able to run it, some aren't. The fact that some aren't shows that there actually is a difference in even 5 viscosities. The only reason they said to change to 5W20 was to increase fuel economy slightly. You're better off running with the original spec oil.

http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/types-weights-and-viscosity/


1.)Is it ok to switch motor oil weights, for example, from a 5w20 to a 10w30?

It depends. Some vehicle manufacturers provide a range of recommended motor oil viscosity grades based on the outside temperature in which the car is driven. Other manufacturers recommend the use of only one motor oil viscosity grade. For best engine performance, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

2.) Is it ok to use 5w30 in a car if the owner's manual calls for 5w20?

Some manufacturers now use 5w20 engine oil to maximize fuel economy for certain applications. Using a 5w30 type of oil may cause a slight decrease in fuel economy. For maximum engine performance, Valvoline suggests following the recommended motor oil viscosity and maintenance schedule provided in your vehicle's owner manual.

 

[BubbaFL]

The engine was built to run 5W30. Ford tested various engines with 5W20 and found some are able to run it, some aren't. The fact that some aren't shows that there actually is a difference in even 5 viscosities. The only reason they said to change to 5W20 was to increase fuel economy slightly. You're better off running with the original spec oil.

Hey, you're the guy who said he trusted Ford's engineers, not me.

I'll take Fords' word (backed up by extensive testing by professional engineers and technicians) over some idiot bubba from florida any day.

 

[AP9]

obie, I'm not going to necessarily disagree. I took that same CAFE logic over to BITOG (where they worship the 0W-20 gods, and where that one guy puts 0W-20 in his Ferrari 575 Maranello instead of 10W-60), but they weren't having any of that. They were all "Oh, well the 5W-20 oils of today are better than they were back when those engines were designed."

Hear me out: I myself generally run 5W-30. At over 182K miles I'm not about to put some thin 20-weight in there. I'd rather err on the side of oil that's a bit too viscous than not viscous enough.

 

[Torqueranger]

How come some people use normal oil but ford wants you to use syn blend oil instead..

 

[celly]

I used 0w30 for years until Ford suggested 20 weight. I now use 0w20. Amsoil Signature Series. Full synth.

 

[morbid81]

Got 154000 on my 5.0 use Castrol GTX High Mileage 5w-30 Engine still runs like a dream. Other than loosing half a quart between oil changes cuz of a rear main leak

 

[bigcrunch]

Wal mart 10-30 and 2 oz of crane cams break lube every 10k oil changes.

5.0 lasted 450,000 miles.

 

[SoNic67]

The previous owner run 5W20 in my 5.0L for 90k miles and then sold it. Now I have low pressure at idle because of advanced wear in cam bearings.
I had to switch to 5W50 in order to protect the crankshaft... until I get the money to replace the engine.

So... use 5W20 at your own risk, saving some cents on the gas mileage might not be so cheap in the long run.

The engine was built to run 5W30. Ford tested various engines with 5W20 and found some are able to run it, some aren't.

That's what I keep telling people. You forgot to say that the government forced Ford to do that (CAFE standards). So they are not even liable for any damages resulted from this "recommendation".

 

[bronchole]

Wal mart 10-30 and 2 oz of crane cams break lube every 10k oil changes.

5.0 lasted 450,000 miles.

That's impressive. Did you go with the break-in lube because of the lack of zink in current generation oils?

 

[bigcrunch]

That's impressive. Did you go with the break-in lube because of the lack of zink in current generation oils?

the zinc I think helped, roller lifters really dont need it.

 

[Rosco P]

One comment... 5.0 = Valvoline full syn 5w-30 case closed.

 

[SupaSwope]

I have a 99 Mountaineer 5.0 2WD. 206K Miles. 7K are mine. 80k were done before 2002. I have used 10w30 Full Synthetic Valvoline Max Life past two changes. After Reading all this. Probably gonna go back to good 5w30. My fuel pressure is great though never had any issues at this mileage. I have been using Motor Craft oil filters. I have heard about the K&N high milage filters or whatever. Anyone recommend anything else then motorcraft or should I stick with motorcraft?

 

[koda2000]

Ford recommends 5W30, but as long as it doesn't get super cold in the winter where you live 10W30 is also fine. As you live in FLA 10W30 would be fine year-round.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

I used/will use 10w30 in my 5.0 year round, never had any issues, as for my SOHC, I run 5w30, the 302 way back when was a 10w30 engine and 5w30 seemed thin for such an old design, the SOHC is the other way, thin is in, I avoid Pennzoil and Valvoline too, never liked either, I generally run either Castrol or Mobil, whichever is cheapest when I get a change. This thread got somewhat colorful lol, but the general idea is, nothing too thick, especially in a SOHC

 

[Dave98XLT]

Something to consider is Engine oil formulation and durability has changed a lot in almost 20 years since they engine was designed and tested. Today's 5w-30 is much better than 5w-30 from the late 90's. SG and SH classification were the norm in late 90's http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm and are now replaced by SN. I would run the most current to get the best sludge and temperature control.

And if you are running Mobile 1, then you are getting the latest...

The only reason they didn't spec 5w-20 for the 4.0L's is they probably didn't want to rock the boat regarding the timing cassette issues...

 

[koda2000]

Personally, I use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Extended Performance 5W30 (or 10W30) in the V8's and 0W30 in the SOHC V6's. With as many vehicles as I have to maintain, the Extended Performance is so I'm not having to do an oil change in something every weekend. I change the oil filters at around 5,000 miles and the oil once a year (none of the vehicles exceed 10,000 in 12 months).

I'm not recommending a particular oil brand to anyone. There are too many opinions on which brand is "best". Use whatever brand you like.

Oh, and to the person who asked "why synthetic or synthetic blend over conventional oil?" Because it's better. More stable, more resistant to breakdown. If your changing your oil every 3,000 miles (it's your time and money) it doesn't make any difference. The cost of synthetic oil is a couple of bucks more than a quality conventional oil at Walmart. If the auto manufacturer recommends using a synthetic or synthetic blend, why not use it? Do you think you know better than the engineers?

 

[RandomNerd2000]

^Adding to what he's said, I've found that, in vehicles with harder jobs, like pulling trailers, hauling loads etc, that synthetic just holds up better with the increased heat output of a more loaded engine.

 

[beach]

5w30 synthetic for years, usually M1, but just bought M1 Extended Full Syn by accident. Still used it.