Newby Question on Oil for Lincoln LS

This is cut&pasted from an email I sent to a friend with a new F150. I have a 2000 Focus. My interpretation of the 5W-20 recommendation is that Ford wanted to use 5W-20 for the EPA fuel economy test, but the EPA wouldn't let them unless they recommended it for most of their product line. I think it is very interesting (per what I have read in the Focus newsgroup) that Ford does _not_ recommend 5W-20 in Europe for Focuses with the same engine as sold in the US.

I believe the Motorcraft 5W-20 is a semi-synth oil.

HTH.

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about the 5W-20 recommendation. from EPA to Ford detailing hurdles Ford has to get over in orderto be allowed to recommend 5W-20 as a CAFE improver. background on Ford's justification for 5W-20. One statement from Ford that I found interesting: "We're confident oils meeting our specification will provide at least

150,000 miles of durability protection."

I'd be pretty unhappy (but not as unhappy as you) if your 2004 F150 5.4l V8 only lasted 150,000 miles...

At least Ford's 5W-20 spec is better than the generic GF-3 spec, in that it requires 128 hours of the Sequence IIIE test rather than 64 hours.

Bottom line: I am not going to use it and I would recommend that you do not use it (after the warranty runs out). Actually I wouldn't even use it during the warranty- I think Ford would have to prove that using

5W-30 or heavier contributed to any engine damage.

You know, come to think of it, my car never made the knocking sound before I had the oil changed at the Ford dealership in Glenwood Springs, CO. Of course they used 5W-20. I had been using Mobil 1 5W-30 up to that point.

Better fuel economy. Think about it: Better fuel economy means less friction. Less friction means less wear and tear.

Depends on how long you are going to own the car. If you are going to keep the car for say 50,000 mi, I would use dino oil and change it according to the recommendations.

If you want to keep the car for say 250,000 mi, I would use Mobil 1 synthetic and change the oil every 7,5000 or 10,000 mi. The engine should last longer with Mobil 1, but if you are going to keep the car only 50,000 mi, what difference does it make to you as long as it is going strong when you sell the car?

Mobil 1 is very good. I don't know if it is the best.

Jeff

better fuel economy says the oil maker.Synthetic is just staring to make an appearance but none from Ford as of yet....yes it's worth it

The 5w20 motorcraft is semi-synthetic.