another dumb question

[20001 mustang]

ok i know i ask by far the most basic and dumb questions on here but i find i get the better answers from stang net users than i can from doing a couple google searches.

so anyway, its time to do an oil change what oil should i use, what kind do you use? all i know is i needs to be 5w-20. ive heard synthetic is better but is there a specific brand anyone here recommend?

 

[fshawn50]

Don't anyone mention "RoyalPurple" OOP's

ok i know i ask by far the most basic and dumb questions on here?

Thought i'd give a dumb answer? 5-20 / i use full synthetic? I just try to stick with one "brand" for every oil change though.

 

[streethorse]

Don't anyone mention "RoyalPurple" OOP's





Thought i'd give a dumb answer? 5-20 / i use full synthetic? I just try to stick with one "brand" for every oil change though.

Theres nothing wrong with Royal Purple.....
Its grape flavored and can double as pancake syrup.
But definatly run pure synthetic.... I like Castrol Syntec 5w 30 year round.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

5W20 Motorcraft

$20 for 6 liters @ Autozone

PS. don't forget to change the filter too

 

[flstang65]

Full synthetic. Brand is pretty much owner preference. Mine is Mobil 1. You should be fine using any good quality oil, anything except Penzoil.

 

[Maxpowers]

Full synthetic. Brand is pretty much owner preference. Mine is Mobil 1. You should be fine using any good quality oil, anything except Penzoil.

x2 for mobil 1.

I use Motorcraft filters. All of which is found at Walmart.

 

[3ponyshow]

x2 for mobil 1.

x3
5w30

If you have high mileage and your car's always run regular oil, I'd check before going synthetic. I've heard it can be cause more harm than good.

 

[GettinThere]

x2 for mobil 1.

I use Motorcraft filters. All of which is found at Walmart.

x3 Relatively convenient and relatively cheap.

 

[Midnight2V]

What's with all these recommendations for 5W-30? Ford issued a service bulletin years ago that all modular V8's be immediately switched to 5W-20 regardless of platform. They went so far as to state that non-compliance following documented notification could result in voided warranty.

If your engine rotating assembly is stock and you aren't burning oil you should be using 5W-20 and nothing else.

 

[N8Dogg98]

I agree with Nightfire. Wal-mart sells 5 quart jugs of Motorcraft 5W-20 oil for only $11, and they sell the Ford Motorcraft filters for under $4. Can't go wrong with Motorcraft oil and filters.

I used to buy Mobil 1 oil as well, but was convinced by others on this site to save my money. From what I've researched online, it seems the consensus is that Mobil 1 is a great oil and will last around 10-15K miles. However, in order to keep it clean you need to replace the oil filter every 5K miles.

IMOP, I'd just rather change all my oil every 5K with less expensive Motorcraft oil and filters.

 

[Galadrium]

A magnetic drain plug is a nice touch also. $10 on ebay.

 

[streethorse]

What's with all these recommendations for 5W-30? Ford issued a service bulletin years ago that all modular V8's be immediately switched to 5W-20 regardless of platform. They went so far as to state that non-compliance following documented notification could result in voided warranty.

If your engine rotating assembly is stock and you aren't burning oil you should be using 5W-20 and nothing else.

5w-30 wont hurt a thing, just better in super hot climate like Texas, if I
lived in Alaska I would stick with 5w-20.

 

[Rickyll7]

What's with all these recommendations for 5W-30? Ford issued a service bulletin years ago that all modular V8's be immediately switched to 5W-20 regardless of platform. They went so far as to state that non-compliance following documented notification could result in voided warranty.

If your engine rotating assembly is stock and you aren't burning oil you should be using 5W-20 and nothing else.

Did they say why? Is that for all year models?

 

[Midnight2V]

The Service Notice I saw never said why.

It occurrs to me though, Ford did a change from 5 to 6 quarts of oil, then later Ford issues the oil weight change. At the time I just thought that a lighter weight oil was a natural step when the 3V came out and both the tolerances got tighter than they already were on the 2v's and 4v's, and the oil driven cam phasing was incorporated. I just assumed that they issued the bulletin to prevent confusion over oil weights at service stations, DIY customers, and dealerships.

But then I got to thinking.... as well engineered as it is, if there is one glaring problem with the 4.6 block, it is that the oil drainback rate is less than stellar for the lubrication needs of the overhead cam architecture it supports. It's one of the major design elements they went out of their way to improve on the Coyote platform (probabily mostly due to the TIVCT architecture).

My first guess is that Ford did some special testing on the hush back in the day and concluded that a faster flowing oil coupled with the previous increase in oil capacity would keep the pickup tube from sucking air under the worst possible conditions (angle or slosh level).

Or maybe they were just doing too much warrantee work for cylinder rings and decided that a lighter weight oil was a better idea...

Again, it's all speculation on my part....just my best guess or two. There could be any number of reasons.

 

[3ponyshow]

What's with all these recommendations for 5W-30? ... If your engine rotating assembly is stock and you aren't burning oil you should be using 5W-20 and nothing else.

Actually, they're not recommendations. They're simply responses to his question...

what kind do you use? all i know is i needs to be 5w-20.

He's good on the 5w20 though.

 

[COramprat]

Could be some truth to that since my 96 goes thru oil like a crack whore goes thru belly button lint.

 

[KillaKev702]

when I lived in VA I would always run 5w20 synthetic (motorcraft) of course but now that I live in Vegas I run 5w30 synthetic cuz it's so f****** hot here! So if you live somewhere that gets 105+ in the summer I recommend 5w30 for better protection.

 

[Dark04GT]

doesn't matter what the temp is outside.... your motor still runs at the same temp thanks to your cooling system. Run what the motor was designed for. 5w20, doesn't matter the name brand. Go synthetic for it's inherently superior chemical characteristics and change oil roughly every 5k miles.

With modern engine design tolerances the theory that heavier oil is better is largely a myth.

 

[20001 mustang]

Could be some truth to that since my 96 goes thru oil like a crack whore goes thru belly button lint.

...i dont get it, haha
anyway thanks for all the input. i live in vancouver canada, so the temperature doesnt get extreme or change much. ill go with a full synthetic 5w 20 not sure on the brand but from what ive read its not that big a deal ill pick one at the store.

 

[Gixxed]

I have been trying them all.... Currently using ams oil and filter. After 5k the oil is still tan/brown. Liking this stuff so far.... Anybody have issues with this stuff yet