VickMacky

According to the TSB Ford put out in 2002 most our trucks were baskspec'd to 5W-20. I just did an oil change using MC oil and filter. It gets hot here in Texas so I'm a little concerned (paranoid might be a better word). I've read that it doesn't do well on long drives but that may be old wives tales. Just curious if anyone else is using it and what your experience is. Mine is a 94 5.8 with 172,000 on the clock FWIW.

BLDTruth

We just put 5W20 into my nephew's 2000 F150 with the 5.4L the other day. He has been using it for 1 1/2 years since he bought the truck.

I still use 5W30 synthetic blend because that is what has been used on this truck for as long as I can remember, so I figure no need to fix something that isn't broke.

VickMacky

Yea I kind of feel the same way. I changed the oil yesterday with 6 quarts of MC 5w20 and couldn't make myself get over my paranoia of what might happen, finding a leak or not protecting enough in this Texas heat. I ended up draining it all this morning and putting Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 in it. I guess piece of mind if worth the $30 of wasted oil.

David Young

I think my owners manual says to use 10w40 in my 1991 4.9. My Dad bought the truck new, that's what my Dad used and that's what i use.

qdeezie

The rule of thumb for our engines is if you have a flat tappet camshaft, you shouldn't go lower than Xw-30. If you have a roller camshaft, you can use Xw-20 with no ill effects.

As for my opinion on viscosity, the Xw-20 TSB was more so for CAFE purposes in my opinion and unless you are looking for maximum fuel mileage, our pushrod engines will be just fine with Xw-30 or Xw-40.

If you live in a cold climate just remember to pick a 5w or 0w cold viscosity (i.e. 0w-30, 5w-30, 0w-40, 5w-40).