2009 4.6 V8 heading into the first oil change at 4k. Usage is about 60 city/40 highway split.

I've always used 5W-30 in my vehicles below about 125-150k. The recommended 5W-20 in the manual got me thinking, so I figured I put it out there. As for type, I've gathered across various posts where mentioned that most are using a blend (also rec.) What are other folks using who change around 4-5k?

(I've seen some of the oil change interval threads. No need to go there. I'm doing 4k. End of story.)

 

And away we go................................................ .......

 

Time to strap on my seatbelt....

 

Your truck is under warranty, stick with what is in the manual to avoid warranty issues. Honestly I would do the changes every 5k not 7500 as stated in the manual even though they say the Syn blend can handle it.

 

^

Yes, and awaaay we go . . .

 

Stop the ride I want off.....Oh yeah. I'm doing my changes at 5,000 miles with an 820S filter and motorcraft 5W20 syn blend. Start it back up.

 

What, ya tellin me I hafa use oil and gas to make this thang go?

 

Ford has specified this weight (5-20) for some years now; my 2002 Excursion and even our 2001 Expedition called for this weight, as I recall.

I have been told that it helps fuel economy, and also with modern engine manufacturing processes, and much closer and tighter tolerances, there is much better flow especially in cooler weather.

The dealerships use the 5-20W in the Moto Syn-blend.

I have the Ford routine service plan which allows me to change oil/filter between 5K and 7.5K miles. I am opting for the 5K mileage to bring it in to the dealer.

If I did not have the service plan, I would still change between 4-5K and I would use any high quality API rated oil in 5-20W.

There, got that all out there without being led down the preverbal path of facetious behavior.

 

There's a lot more to the 930 Ford spec concerning the 5w-20 than just CAFE. If you don't like the 5w-20 oils, just wait for the newer 0W-10 oils that are pretty much going to be mandatory with the ethanol fuels we are using. So lets chat about the 5w-20 oils. If you'll remember from high school chemistry class, a thinner fluid will absorb and release heat faster than a thicker fluid. The same works for your motor oil. It will absorb heat faster, get back to the pan faster where the heat is released and then get back on the job to do it all over again. The thinner oils will help your engine run cooler especially in summer heat or in heavy towing conditions. There are several specs that Ford implemented into their testing of approved oils that are far more stringent than that of API. Lets look at the IIIF test. It deals with oil thickening, piston deposits, valve train wear at high speeds, and high heat performance. The API approved test is 80 hours or to put it into perspective for you, it takes 2 weeks running the engine at 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The allowables per API are a viscosity increase of 375% and deposits of 45mg. The Ford spec calls for a viscosity increase of only 200% and deposits at 30mg over a DOUBLE length test which means 160 hours or 4 weeks with the engine running 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. So you can see that the Ford spec builds a pretty tough oil and not just any cheap basestock can be used to make the oil. It must have a Viscosity Index of about 147 to make it. That's into areas where synthetics were considered superior. So if you use an oil that meets the Ford spec, you have an oil that doesn't allow a lot of deposits, handles heat better than others, and isn't prone to shift out of it's respective viscosity range. Regardless of what you pay for an oil, if it wears the Ford spec, you can't buy a better oil for your Triton.

Do any of you have a clue what ILSAC is and how engine designs are born?
Do any of you know what HT/HS (high temp/ high shear) ratings are and what they mean?
Do any of you know how much of the cooling capacity of the engine is the oil?

 

Motor oil is responsible for a large percentage of the cooling that takes place within your engine. Your radiator (anti-freeze system) is only responsible for cooling the upper portion of your engine. The rest (crankshaft, camshaft, timing gears, pistons, main and connecting rod bearings and many other critical engine components are cooled mainly by the motor oil within your engine.

While I am very happy that the oil I choose to use in my truck, is considered to be at a very high level, and it is so much less expensive than that Purple stuff, I do believe I am an 'A' student and should be able to go home now !!