Different types of Oil???

[BobCorazza]

Congrats on your new F150. I have a 97 F150 that has had synthetic since break-in. FYI, there has been no (significant) change in engine technology / manufacturing that requires the use of 5w20. The consensus of (most) folks at the FordF150.net forums is to continue the use of 5w30. The switch to 5w20 spec was <font color="red"> soley </font> to boost mpg of the ford fleet to meet federal specs. Take a look at the numbers and you will see that 5w20 is pretty thin stuff. I personally don't want a marginally lubricated engine (IMHO) just so Ford can increase their fleets mpg by a few tenths.

 

[Soundguy]

Only slightly o/t here, but I was watching hte history channel yesterday, and they had a great program on about 'air raids of WWII'.

In it we were bombing mostly ball bearing factories in germany ( I had no idea we were so close to shutting down the german military machine by bombing BB factories. according to the show, at one point, germany had 2 months of stored BB and after that they would be out.. and if we had bombed just a few more days during one crucial airstrike.. that may have been the end of it).

Anyway on to the topic.. On the show they also showed that we bombed synthetic oil factories in germany... Wow.. I didn't know anyone was working on syn oil back in the 40's...

Soundguy

 

[BXMMCC]

Yep, they needed the synthetic 'cause they had no source for dino.

I guess no-one should feel too bad about 'flaming' in the forums when you think back and realize that world and local wars are oil based!

 

[gsxr1100]

Yup, you can thank go-old Hilter for synthetic oil. Nice ha. I remember hearing that several years ago in college and I was amazed then and still am.

 

[RET]

BobCorazza,
I agree that the changes to the 04 5.4 L vs the heritage were minor. The only significant changes I know of us going to 3 valve/cylinder to help it breathe better and an electronically adjustable cam. So, newest 5.4L engine puts out a little more hp and torque with a flatter curve that was shifted further toward the lower RPM range...at least that's what I remember. Nothing 'revolutionary'. I can't see those changes necessitating a thinner oil.
I read the same thing about 5W-20 being specified only to squeeze out a tiny bit more mileage. I plan to go to 5w-30 before long. I'll have to wait a little while though. When I last ordered some Amsoil 5W-20, I ordered enough for 2 oil changes...so I have one more change to go...then will probably go to the 5W-30 2000 series (I was dumb and bought that 7500 mile oil 1st time...should have paid just a little more for the 2000 series). But, I will stick to a ~5000 mile oil change interval....makes me feel more warm and fuzzy inside and I won't have to worry about warranty issues in the very slim chance that something ever happens to the engine internals.
Waste of money? Probably. I have never kept a vehicle past 140k mi before...I doubt there's any oil on the market today that wouldn't keep the engine running fine and dandy for that long. But, I'm doing my part to keep the economy going, so eveybody should be excited about us free-spenders.