Aww hell with it. I'm going with the recommendations of the engineers who have been to school and have years of training. And I'll stick to that whether I'm under warranty or not. Something just tells me, call me crazy here, that they just MIGHT know a little more than me. Just a thought...

 

I change my oil at shorter mileage intervals than you do.
Walmart is where I buy my Motorcraft 5W-20, which sometimes I have to wait for a whole week before the next truckload comes in.

 

5w20 can be hard to find that is true. But as more automakers are switching to it it will become easier and easier to get. I get my Mobil 1 SuperSyn from walmart in the box. Sometimes theres only a few quarts left. But usually if I ask politely they can find me a case in the back.

 

How do you guys document your oil changes as to not void the warranty ???

 

I always buy the filter from my ford dealer. (and sometimes the oil, as they are a royal purple dealer too). I just document the milage and the date the change was done on the recept for the filter.

 

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showth...hlight=diy+oil

Check this thread out. There were some good ideas, and in general it was pretty informative.

 

Thanks !!!

doing an oil change tonight.

 

Great thread. I have heard two explanations regarding the 5-20 oil recommended by Ford on most of their cars. The first explanantion that I have heard is the one voiced here regarding the tighter tolerances. However, the other explantion I've heard which I find very interesting regards gas mileage. Seems the lighter oil gives Ford a very slight mileage benefit, possibly .5-1 mpg more. Though this seems slight, over the total fleet, this can be quite substantial and help them toward Federal gas mileage goals. I believe that it is a combination of both explanations.

 

Yes, this is true. Remember though they EPA test when the car is warm so the gas mileage is only affected by the 20 weight number. The 5W is the important one for clearance and general startup issues. That's why using things like 5W- 30 Mobil 1 aren't a big problem.

 

Use what Ford recommends- 5W20! Oh, I know for a fact that God did hand craft the 05 to 07 MUSTANG GT motors AND that they are extra special. How do I know? He's a Steelers' fan.

 

Main reason is gas mileage as per the 20 weight in the 5W-20. 5W-30 is fine to use as well...

Now, what people have to remember is those who live in warm climates, such as Calif. can easily get away with a 10W-20, 10W-30.

The 10W is the weight of the oil cold, or for start up flow. In Calif, or other warm climates the 10W will flow just about as well as 5W in the cold climates.

Once the oil gets to operating temperature it don't really matter, generally speaking. So a 5W-30 and 10W-30 after reaching operating temperature is the same oil at least flow wise.

The reason a 5W or even a 0W is BETTER is because if flows much easier, at any start-up temperature and that is what is most IMPORTANT. Start up is where the vast majority 80% plus or wear occurs.

If you use a 10W-30 or 20W-30 in cold climates your motor will NOT last as long as someone who is using a 0W-30 or 5W-30. You may not see any real difference until 200k or 300k.

 

Save your receipts. That's your documentation.

 

+1 to SteelTownStang!! Go Steelers!!!

 

Just a quick note, the new Shelby uses 5w-50 (lots of underhood heat) and IF I'm remembering right, my Ranger (4.0) also used 5w-20, but the same engine in the Mustang requires 5w-30, or maybe I've got it backwards!! Old age....

 

Just about every auto store (Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, etc.) carries Motorcraft Semi-synthetic 5w-20...even Wal-Mart carries it (I've even seen it in 5 qt bottles there). Match it up with Motorcraft's 820S filter and you're all set.

 

There is strong evidence that using heavier weight oil than the recommended 5w20 can cause damage to the VVT mechansims on 3V motors.

But why would anyone follow the recomendations of the Ford engineers & the chemists @ Conoco who worked with Ford to develop the 5w20 Synthentic blend oil? From your post it sounds like you know a lot more about engines & oil than the Ford & Conoco engineers & scientists do.

By the way, Mod Motor you refer to, unchanged since 1992, has an iron block & 2V heads with fixed cam timing. The 05+ 3V Mustang uses a new aluminum block along with the new 3V heads, new valves, new cams, new pistons, new rings, new timing chains, new VVT mechanisms, new intake, new engine sensors, new PCM, etc., etc. IIRC the 3V Mod motor shares less than 20% of it's parts with the old iron block Mod Motor.

 

Hey V10, thanks for sharing the correct information to tell the know-it-all what we all already knew but couldn't explain in the right technical terms. I swear, some people just think they know everything. I doubt you'll prove anything to him, but that's useful info for the rest of us wanna-be gearheads...

 

You guys are correct, I don't know anything--I am sorry.

 

There was a lot of sass in that post, V10...can't we just get along?

What is it about oil that gets people so fired up?



Anyways, +1 for Sonic Boom NH's post

 

whether it's automotive or motorcycle boards, people all have opinions on oil...