5.0 coyote 5w-30 vs 5w-20
5.0 DOHC V8 | 7.3 Gdzilla
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 2,077
From: California and Utah
Thanks fellers! for your efforts and for your thoughts. I agree completely, and think the suggested viscosity range indeed ambient average temp dependent, as well the higher viscosity for heavy service. The -20 spec'd to aid Ford's CAFE numbers works for many light-duty consumers...
Thanks Ssls6 for your reply. Since your post sig mentions two trucks *sans* Coyote, I'm double-checking your advice: You run this cap on a Coyote cam cover? Thanks again.
Thanks Ssls6 for your reply. Since your post sig mentions two trucks *sans* Coyote, I'm double-checking your advice: You run this cap on a Coyote cam cover? Thanks again.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 667
Likes: 85
Thanks fellers! for your efforts and for your thoughts. I agree completely, and think the suggested viscosity range indeed ambient average temp dependent, as well the higher viscosity for heavy service. The -20 spec'd to aid Ford's CAFE numbers works for many light-duty consumers...
Thanks Ssls6 for your reply. Since your post sig mentions two trucks *sans* Coyote, I'm double-checking your advice: You run this cap on a Coyote cam cover? Thanks again.
Thanks Ssls6 for your reply. Since your post sig mentions two trucks *sans* Coyote, I'm double-checking your advice: You run this cap on a Coyote cam cover? Thanks again.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 161
Likes: 7
From: Orange County, NY
Personal opinions... what would you rather run 5w20 or 5w30? regardless of which one I use since day one of owning my truck I’ve always use motor craft filter.. usually running Mobil 1 full syn
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 9
From: Scottsdale, Az
Originally Posted by Fireman2789
Personal opinions... what would you rather run 5w20 or 5w30? regardless of which one I use since day one of owning my truck I’ve always use motor craft filter.. usually running Mobil 1 full syn
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 161
Likes: 7
From: Orange County, NY
Originally Posted by cscott900
My personal opinion is 5W30, especially in hotter weather states.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 160
From: South
Wow this thread has come up again....since 2015, I've had my truck stolen 
and replaced it.
With this oil weight debate going across multiple websites, I've decided to perform a test with 5w20, 5w30, and 0w40 oils. I'll be doing a UOA (Used Oil Analysis) with each change, and am going 9100 miles each time.* The oil will be all be from the same manufacturer, with a new filter each change.
This is not about which brand of oil to use, but rather which grade/weight of oil will result in the lowest wear. If the 5w20 is the same as the others, I'll have no problem using it. Right now I believe that a thicker oil will result in less wear, but I'll depend on the test results to correct me if I'm wrong.
Since the Mustang's engine can use up to 5w50, I don't think this will result in any engine damage; plus I've had the 0w40 in for around 6,000 miles with no issues.
I'll post the results here when I am finished ... in around 21,000 miles. Until then let the debate continue....
*9100 miles gives about 10% on the oil monitor, and I have a previous UOA showing my oil can go further.
My thinking is that when the HD pickups were under a heavy load, Ford found that a thicker oil protected better.
and replaced it.With this oil weight debate going across multiple websites, I've decided to perform a test with 5w20, 5w30, and 0w40 oils. I'll be doing a UOA (Used Oil Analysis) with each change, and am going 9100 miles each time.* The oil will be all be from the same manufacturer, with a new filter each change.
This is not about which brand of oil to use, but rather which grade/weight of oil will result in the lowest wear. If the 5w20 is the same as the others, I'll have no problem using it. Right now I believe that a thicker oil will result in less wear, but I'll depend on the test results to correct me if I'm wrong.
Since the Mustang's engine can use up to 5w50, I don't think this will result in any engine damage; plus I've had the 0w40 in for around 6,000 miles with no issues.
I'll post the results here when I am finished ... in around 21,000 miles. Until then let the debate continue....
*9100 miles gives about 10% on the oil monitor, and I have a previous UOA showing my oil can go further.
My thinking is that when the HD pickups were under a heavy load, Ford found that a thicker oil protected better.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 160
From: South
cam phaser Solenoid screens and oil psi
Take a look at this video at about 4 minutes in. This is a ecoboost, not sure if the 5.0 is made the same way or the 5.0 mustangs that use the 50w oil. He pulls out a solenoid that advances using oil pressure I think that flows through small tiny holes in a screen made on them. Just wondering if the 50w, 30w or 20w and these screens are different sizes for say the mustangs, f150 5.0 and the ecoboost 3.5? Is all about CAFE regulations gas mileage or is there a lubricating difference?
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 519
Likes: 67
As I understand it, the Coyote and Gen 1 EB35 use different cam phasers; the Coyote cam phasers are a newer design that uses the inertia of the cams themselves in addition to hydraulic pressure to advance and retard cam timing. I'm not sure about the Gen 2 EB35.