I’ve got a problem finding the proper oil for my Mustang. There is no 5w20 oil here in Kuwait. The Ford dealership (the only one in Kuwait) carries only Motorcraft 10w30. The only other available alternative is Mobil 1 which comes in 0w40 and 5w50. For the past year I’ve been running 10w30 with no issues, but now I just got my C&L CAI and I'm running an aggressive tune. I therefore think that it might be better to switch to 0w40 or 5w50. Also winter is now here and morning temperatures can dip to the mid 30s. Any advice (other than leave Kuwait )

 

I find it funny that you (in Kuwait) are sitting on one-fifth of all the world's oil reserves yet you have no 5w-20 oil...



Just playing with ya...

I'd keep the 10-30 and roll with that, 50 weight oil and variable valve timing don't mix too well together.

 

 

I know... I know... The irony is very thick. Its like going to Japan and not finding any Sushi. The only consolation is that I buy a gallon of 98 octane for $0.55 over here. So 50 weight is a bit too much... How about the 0w40?? I know this is what most German performance cars use.

 

Go to Blue Oval News and ask one of the techs, but I bet the response will include a disclaimer on voiding the warranty with anything but recommended.

 

Thanks, I'll try that. However, there is no way they can even consider voiding my warranty, as the only Ford dealership here (which provides my warranty) doesn't carry the recommended oil. They are also very lax here with the warranty restrictions; CAIs, tunes, and exhausts are totally acceptable.

 

Heavier wt. oil does not constitute high performance. For one its thicker and requires more HP to pump! And more of it goes over the relief valve instead of thru the bearings! The pump is trying to pump at the same flow rates. Stick with the 10W-30.

40 W? You don't have a German engine.

Maybe you have some friends stateside that can send you a few cases?

 

Not to mention the hell a thicker oil might play with the cam phasers and lash adjusters, the latter of which are designed to precisely meter the oil at 5w20 and big change in viscosity will change that aspect of the lash adjuster's performance.

Check your owner's manual for reccomendations or call Ford directly.

 

OK so I guess Mobil 1 for me here is out of the question. My next question then is: How bad is 10w30 for my engine? As Paul suggested I could have friends back home (Canada not the US) send me some, or I could even order off the net. The problem is it will cost an insane amount to mail it (at least $100). Is it worth that much? Or can I just live with the 10w30 and change it every 3,000 (as I've been doing, since the 10w30 isn't semi-synthetic).

 

There was a pretty extensive thread about this , and because of the VCT and close tolerances , you need the thin oil. Do a search and you should find it ...

 

Tell your dealer to order the spec oil. If e gives you grief, call (or e-mail) the main Ford customer service division that's in your owners manual.

 

Have someone mail you Mobil 1 Extended Performance. While it may be expensive, you will only have to change it once a year, as opposed to every 3000 miles. Seems like a decent compromise.

 

I would have no issues running the 10-30 in Kuwait's climate. I know it gets to the 30's, but that is not too cold at all for 10-30 oil. Trust me, the difference in actual viscosity (thickness) of 5-20 and 10-30 is small enough that your engine will likely never know the difference. The possibility of doing any damage is none in my opinion. I am running 5-30 oil in mine with no issues, 55K miles and counting...about 25K of those are on 5-30.

 

I'd be careful, the tolerances are close enough now for the need to use 5W-20 (also CAFE numbers). Isn't there a Mercedes/Lexus/Range Rover dealer anywhere in Kuwait City that might carry it (syn or dino)?

 

If I were in your situation, I would google "Oil Forums". Good luck.

 

Thats what I was thinking. Its also possible that theres some available somewhere besides Ford. Any Kuwaiti equilalent of Walmart?

 

Bob the oil guy probably has the best oil forum on the net, its almost creepy how much some of those guys get excited over the stuff

Well not really, everybody has thier passion, and thats a good place to get into oil based discussions.

 

Bob the oil guy probably has the best oil forum on the net.

 

The older 4.6L engines all spec'd 5-20. Sometime in the early 2000's they started specifying 5-20, but Ford did NOT change anything in the engine. Close tolerances don't have anything to do with thinner viscosities. You should ask this question on www.bobistheoilguy.com forums. Some very knowledgeable (even professional) people there will tell you that 5-30 is fine for this engine.

 

Ok as an Oil Guy myself, look at the obvious, 5W20 is for U.S. CAFE
as mileage only, period, its the reason Ford, Mazda and Honda first started using it.
Kuwait does not have the emmisions required there as we do over here.

Second, it may dip to 30's at night, but how DA** hot does it get during the day?

Thrid 10W30 Synthetic Anything (Mobil, Amsoil, Royal purple, Valvoline, etc.) is much greater than petroleum base.

Any other questions, feel free to E-mail or PM

Also check out www.MotorOilBible.com

TDS