Correct Engine Oil for my Climate?

[Bird]

The Crown Vic is what the guy was talking about who told me Ford specified 5W-20 for the State Police. And yes, I have many years experience with police sedans in Dallas. A large number of the city police sedans went over 60k a year when I was a patrolman. At that time, we ran them 24 hours a day, six and two-thirds days a week; they were pulled out one shift a week for an oil change and wash job. Of course I retired in '89, so at that time we were still using 30W oil. The vehicle I have now that specifies the 5W-20 is an '01 Windstar, which has a 3.8L engine. Oddly enough (to me, at least), my '01 Ranger specifies 5W-30 with the 4.0L engine I have. The manual recommends 5W-30 for the 4 cylinder and the 4.0L V-6, but 5W-20 for the 3.0L V-6. Why the difference? I don't know. I've heard some say it's because some of the oil passages are so small the heavier oil might not circulate properly through them. And of course, I don't know for sure that the Ford dealer is putting 5W-20 in my Windstar and 5W-30 in my Ranger, but I think they are.

 

[Marooned]

Tractor will get the most use starting in spring, through the summer and into fall. Winter time it will get limited use.

I am curious, what does the # before the "W" mean? And what about the # after the "W"? I've always used 10W30 in my vehicles, mainly because that's what my Father used.

 

[CarlGlas]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Stick an oil TEMPERATURE gage on that car with the 20w-50 in it...you may not like the numbers you'll see. I had a Toyota Corolla SR-5 that had an oil temp gage. I thought the oil pressure was a little low, so I tried 20w-50 and the oil temp was nearly pegged all the time.

Cars don't need thick oil. Use what the book calls for--unless you're a lubrication engineer, you can outsmart yourself by thinking you know more about lubrication than the people who built the engine. And if you ARE a lubrication engineer, you'll probably reach the conclusion that the book is right. )</font>


If cars don't need thick oil, why is it made? What about extreme heat?

I'm not talking about a family sedan with a small engine. I'm talking about a high performance V8 engine that can go from a dead stop on the side of the freeway to gotcha within just a few minutes. Or, sometimes, if behind an idiot a pursuit can take miles.

The oil pan holds 6 quarts and is circulated through a large cooler located in front of the radiator which I would presume assists in keeping it around normal operating temp.

Although I am not a lubrication engineer, I honestly don't think it would take one to know that when a motor rattles on start up it's because the viscosity of the oil is too thin to coat the parts to prevent dry starts.

 

[ksmmoto]

I run 5w-30 in my Ford F-150 5.4 Liter. I have read that the Ranger's 4.0 L needs 5w-30 while the rest run 5w-20. I think that engine is either an older design or runs more stressed than the others.

The 5w-20 Motorcraft and the other 5w-20's recommended or all semi synthetic. I am sure they probably don't thin out with the heat as much as dino.

By the way I am in Michigan where the temperature ranges from -20 below to maybe 95. However this January our coldest day was a balmy 25! Can't beat that!

ksmmoto

 

[CarlGlas]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tractor will get the most use starting in spring, through the summer and into fall. Winter time it will get limited use.

I am curious, what does the # before the "W" mean? And what about the # after the "W"? I've always used 10W30 in my vehicles, mainly because that's what my Father used. )</font>



The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature.

 

[CarlGlas]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Crown Vic is what the guy was talking about who told me Ford specified 5W-20 for the State Police. And yes, I have many years experience with police sedans in Dallas. A large number of the city police sedans went over 60k a year when I was a patrolman. At that time, we ran them 24 hours a day, six and two-thirds days a week; they were pulled out one shift a week for an oil change and wash job. Of course I retired in '89, so at that time we were still using 30W oil. The vehicle I have now that specifies the 5W-20 is an '01 Windstar, which has a 3.8L engine. Oddly enough (to me, at least), my '01 Ranger specifies 5W-30 with the 4.0L engine I have. The manual recommends 5W-30 for the 4 cylinder and the 4.0L V-6, but 5W-20 for the 3.0L V-6. Why the difference? I don't know. I've heard some say it's because some of the oil passages are so small the heavier oil might not circulate properly through them. And of course, I don't know for sure that the Ford dealer is putting 5W-20 in my Windstar and 5W-30 in my Ranger, but I think they are. )</font>


Here are the facts about 5W-20
http://tinyurl.com/9qujj

 

[sneaky_pete]

One reason for the lower oil viscosity specs in newer cars is the U.S. government fuel economy mandates - you gain a small amount in mpg due to the slightly reduced friction, but every little bit helps when you're trying to meet the new standards.

 

[SkyPup]

The newer 0-30W full synthetics work great, even down here in the South.

 

[CarlGlas]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One reason for the lower oil viscosity specs in newer cars is the U.S. government fuel economy mandates - you gain a small amount in mpg due to the slightly reduced friction, but every little bit helps when you're trying to meet the new standards. )</font>


From what I have read, the gain is not noticable. I'll have to give you a hollar the next time I stop over in Amarillo on my way to Santa Fe. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cp1969]

Personally, I would rather hear the "facts" on why 5w-20 oil is specified for certain engines from the people who did the specifying, not someone who sells Amsoil.

They always say, "one of the reasons...is fuel economy". I'll buy into that is "one" of the reasons but what are the others?

Don't have access to it right now, but I believe the daughter's Acura RSX manual and oil filler cap specifies 5w-20 ONLY.