Another "Which engine oil should I use" Thread

[OsirisGuy]

So it's time for Roxie's first oil change. I'm used to 5w-30 in the Blazer I was driving before. While I was at the store I subliminally picked up 10w-30 (10w- because it's summer time) and didn't realize until the car was on jack stands (before any oil drainage thankfully) that the car takes 5w-20. Now I know what the numbers mean and I understand it, but I still don't understand what oils will be okay for my engine.

So here's the question: Is 10w-30 okay for the 4.6 2v? I'm thinking it's humid summer so it should be just fine or is it not worth figuring the environment into account and just go exchange for 5w-20?

Also what's this I hear about 0w- for improved gas mileage? Thoughts on this?

And for the record 6.0 qts of Mobile 1 Synthetic and Mobile 1 filter. What are your thoughts on the Mobile 1 filters? Are they as good as Ford's recommendations? Or should next time I go with Motorcraft/FRPP?

[1234]

I run 10w30 year round. As far as filters the mobile one filter isn't bad at all it equvilant to a wix filter. Which are good. Most people on here are gonna say 5w20 only and run a motor craft filter. As far as 0w20 from what I understand according to the mobile 1 rep it's the same as 5w20.

[MonteCitan]

Your car calls for 5-20. In theory, one of the main benefits of this is that it doesn't take nearly as long for the oil to reach all areas of the engine, decreasing cold-start wear and tear - and reduces dragging losses to increase gas mileage

That being said, it really wouldn't affect things much - especially in the summer, my car calls for 5w20 also, but I plan on using 5w30

[OsirisGuy]

So I'm going to throw in 10w-30, and will probably do so for the summer into fall. What I gather is that it will be a little rough on the internals when I first start my car since the oil is a little thicker and my gas mileage will suffer just by a bit.

Switching to -30 from -20 is just changing the temperature where the oil becomes functional at warmer temperature (was it 100 degrees F?). In other words at start up temperatures you are controlling the thickness and at which warmer temperature it is the same(?)

[968]

along these lines...
i haven't had the priviledge of changing my oil yet, but noticed that the filter is situated horizontally and right above some important parts.
any recommendations on removing it w/o spilling oil all over the engine?
why the engineers do these things just kills me.
the 5.4L in my f150 has the filter located upside down so it won't spill a drop.
just another reason to swap engines!

[SpectorV]

the 4.6 has tight oil tolerances so be very careful not to put to thick of an oil in it.

[occhopperman27]

mobile 1 full synthetic 5-30 year round, wix filter, napa gold same thing thats what i use

[Ninethourpm]

Why cant people just use what the manifacture tells you to use?
Theres a reason they tell you to use 5-20 or 5-30 or 10-30.
If you use a 10-40 oil in a car designed for 5-20 the oil is going to be too thick to get into some areas of the engine and thats not good. Just as using 5-20 in a engine that needs 10-30, the oil is going to be too thin and not lubricate as well.
You wouldnt put 5-20 weight oil in your rear end or transmission would you.
Just like putting 20-50 race oil in your engine is about the same as putting 116 octain fuel in a stock engine.

[OsirisGuy]

It is recommended to use 5w-20. That oil will give you the best fuel economy as well as the best protection for wherever you may live. People who live in hot climates may want to change their oil because of the temperature since they leave there car in 6 hours of 100+ degree sunlight. Others may leave there car in an temperature controlled garage and some may just see snow 9 months out of the year.

There are recommended tolerances for everything. Deviating from it may not always be the worst, quite often going to the extreme of of the standard deviation maybe beneficial and improve results.

[Ninethourpm]

also the wider the weight range on an oil the faster it breaks down

[1234]

^^never noticed that with different weigts of oil. I have nticed it with different brands.

[Ninethourpm]

There is a guy on the magna forum(motorcycle) who has done lots of testing and lab work on oil. The wider the viscosity range the faster it breaks down say 5-30 will break down faster that a 5-20 or 10-30. The guy was a jet engine mechanic in the AF and now he works on bikes. I took his advice on a jetting setup, exhaust and some other things and went from 40 to 50 MPG on my bike and It hauls ass too.