5W-20?

It's designed for 5-20 so that's what I use in my Escape. Walmart has Motorcraft semi-synthetic for around $2/qt. That's what I use along with a Motorcraft filter which they also carry. Some will say they only did it for a bit more mileage, but I figure they have to stand behind thousands of them. They wouldn't spec it if it was going to increase their warranty costs.

Thin oil gets them a SMALL increase in gas mileage so thats what they put on the cap. I saw some 0-20 (YES "0" weight !) oil at Walmart the other day. Use 5-30 or 10-30 if it makes you feel better. I do..even going 10-40 in the Summer in the desert.

I wouldn't worry about it. My 96 GMC Safari ran 5W-20 from day one to over 160,000 miles. (The engine finally blew a head gasket and is undergoing an engine swap now.)

My V-10 Super Duty has just over 100,000 miles on it, all with 5W-20.

I use Castrol (Dino variety) in all my vehicles.

Matt

The ONLY reason they use 5w20 is to squeak out the last fraction of MPG out of it and nothing more. Use 5w30 or 10w30 if it makes you more comfortable as it will not hurt anything. (I think 5w20 is too thin too for hot summer use too regardless of Fords claims.

----------------- The SnoMan

I use the 5w-20 on my 04 F150. It works fine. If you do a search on UOA (Used Oil Analysis) you will find that the Motorcraft 5w-20 synthetic blend does as well or better than the 5w-30 and 10w30 oils. I have 48k on my truck in all kinds of weather and traffic. I have no oil related or oil usage problems at all.

The thin oil they recommend is for gas mileage purposes only. There is nothing about the design of the engine that requires it. I use straight 30 in every thing i own and the entire 35 truck fleet I maintain all year around. Some of the fleet trucks are pushing 400k. I won't pour multiviscosity oil on the ground. Much less put it in an engine.

steve barker

My neighbor is a 26-year veteran mechanic, who suggested tight tolerances and small uh... parts of the oil "circuit" as one possible reason.

I use straight 30

Interesting perspective. My father-in-law uses straight 30 in his abused V6 Chivvy pickup. It's got 350k on it, and is usually overloaded, evidenced by the number of clutches he's put in it. Extremely cold starts, i.e., below zero, makes the "5" mean easier starts, and less wear on those starts. Some four bangers have trouble even turning over at those temps with thicker oils. I do believe you, and the guy next door, and others here... after I heard enough of the same thing. I think 5-30 or 10-30 in the summer months of 100+ would be appropriate, and maybe 5w-20 in the winter...

Thanks for your input!