Move this topic if appropriate.
I did a search and didn't come up with much on lubricant.
Here is my dilemma. I have been a MOBIL1 user for about the last 16 years in all of my vehicles. MOBIL1 does not make an oil that is a 5W-20 which is listed in the manual. I did a search at the MOBIL1 website and it showed the 2002 GT as using the same viscosity and was not available, but 0W-20 is an appropriate alternative.
What is everyone’s take on this? I do not want this to become a debate on the old
AMSOIL vs. MOBIL1 debate just input on the 0W-20 vs. 5W-20. What are your thoughts?

 

don't worry about not using 5w20.. all ford vehicles have "required" 5w20 for the past couple years (switched from 5w30)... they just switched to 5w20 because it gives a tenth of a mile per gallon economy improvement... so yah.. dont worry about it.. its not an operational issue. 5w30 will still be ok. and mobil1 will continue to dominate

 

If I am not mistaken 5w-20 is a thinner oil, which supposedly flows around the engine on startup much quicker, and helps prevent startup engine wear. With the quality of oils these days it doesnt break down nearly as fast either, so having a thinner oil in theory is a better choice for your car.

I could be totally wront, this is just what I was told in the past, maybe one of the members *in the know* can correct me if I am wrong. B)

 

My Mazda 6 required 5W-20 and I was also an M1 user (I work at the only facility in North America that manufactures M1). I've been using the 0W-20 since my first oil change and now, aftern early 12K mile, everything has been good. I was concerned about the 0W-20 but one of the chem engineers at the plant told me it is approved by the auto manufacturers as a replacement for 5W-20. On one of the Mazda 6 forums I frequent, they have several people who regularly have their oil analyzed after changes and they said that they saw better wear characteristics with the 0W-20 vs 5W-30 M1. I'm not sure why but take it for what it's worth.

 

Oil flow has always been critical, but even moreso in the newer engines with their much tighter tolerances, and the greater stress placed on them by higher output per displacement. On the newer motors I would always tend to go a bit thinner rather than a bit thicker. This became solidified in my mind when a representative for an oil distributor told me to never use 5W-30 in a Ford that recomends 0W-30 when I worked for an auto parts supplier. Keep in mind this was his personal advice to me in regards to my car, not a pitch to be used for sales.

Also, if it helps make things clearer...Sean Hyland claims that 0W-20 works better than anything elses in the new modular V-8's. And so, I would imagine in most other modern Ford motors as well. I can also tell you that he advises you should never, ever use 5W-30 instead of 5W-20. You can reference all of this in his book on modular V-8's.

So, if you have to know "which way to go" and value an oil co. reps. and Sean Hyland's advice the answer seems cut a.d dry to me.

 

If you have to use Mobil, go with the 0w-20.

That said, the Motorcraft 5w-20 is quality oil for about 1/3 the price. I would encourage you to look up Used Oil Analysis of both. You'll find that they are very similar while their prices are very different.

 

That be what I use

 

the _W number is the cold weather vicsocity rating. during winter i would try to get a 5-10W but in summer the 0W is fine.

 

I have a mechanic shop here in phoenix, and the dealers around me that ive talked to about 5w20 oil have told me that if you do not use it, it will void your powertrain warranty. Ford's (most since 2001), mazda's, honda's (since 2001), higher end acura's, and the new chrysler 300c (hemi) all take 5w20. Whenever i ask the dealers around here, i always get 2 reasons for it...

A: 5w20 gives you a tenth a percent better gas mileage, so ford, honda, etc get a tax break from the government because their vehicles get better gas mileage. In turn if you arent using the 5w20, you arent getting the better gas mileage, therefore ford shouldnt be getting their tax break.

B: Some of the newer cars that run on 5w20 oil actually have redesigned oil pumps that are meant to flow a thinner (5w20) oil instead of 5w30 or 10w30.

I have even received letters in the mail about the use of 5w20 oil from the ford dealers around me, about it being required to keep the warranty in tact. I have always run Mobil 1 5w30 in my 2001 mustang gt since about 6,000 miles (it has 71,000 now, so im way out of warranty) and its been acting find to me, so i dont know if there is any truth behind the oil pumps being redesigned.

 

So, that's what "weight" means? (As Johnny Carson): I did not know that.

 

I think you got it backwards....

The heavier oil is ok in the summer, since the oil doesn't get that cold. In the winter though you want a thinner oil so that it makes for an easier start up in the morning. Cold thick oil, is even thicker for more difficults starts.

I used a 10W-30 in my explorer in the summer, but a 5W-30 in the winter.

 

That makes more sense, Joe. I think you're right.

 

More info about motor oil then you or I probably care about (warning: lots of geek speek) :geek:

http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html

 

Good article

 

great article, thanks

 

Hey Guys, need a little help here. I know nothing about cars and depend on the forum for help. I just got my first oil change on my V6 at 3300. Everything I read said go with synthetics so that is what I told the guy in the shop. When I got home I checked my receipt and it says they put synthetic 10w30 in....do I have a problem. Should I go back? Is my car OK?

 

Mobil 1 does make 5w20. I have it in my car!

I suggest not listening to the guy saying 5w30 is the same. Let him buy an 05/06 and put the wrong oil in it...

 

This thread is old. When it was started, there wasn't a Mobil1 5W20 yet. They've since come out with it although it is hard to find (at least where I live). Only Advance Auto Parts carries it here.

 

Walmart carries Mobil 1 5w20 in 5 quart and single quart, but hard to get, they seem to be out all the time!

 

I hate when I read a thread that is almost 2 years old and don't realize it till someone says so :bang: :bang: :bang: