Engine Oil

In my 2003 F53 I use Motorcraft 5W-20 semi synthetic as suggested by Ford. I have my oil tested by Blackstone Labs. The last test was over 6,800 miles. It used 1 quart over that period. All tests and viscosity were within range and they suggested going to 9,000 miles on the next change.

Wear metals look great. Iron is up quite a bit from last time, but as you probably know, that metal will track
with miles on the oil and this level is fine for 6,800 miles. If there are any mechanical issues, they aren't showing
themselves in these numbers. The oil is free of fuel and coolant and the air and oil filters had no trouble keeping up. Try
9,000 miles on the next oil.

This was with a lot of mountain driving in the west pulling a Jeep Cherokee.

The good news is that total synthetic oil and regular oil are 100% compatible. Not only can you switch to one or the other, you can even add one to the other if the oil level is low. This means that whatever was put in the engine by Ford, as long as you put the recommended weight oil in the engine, the choice is totally up to you.

Ed Headington

jhilley wrote:
In my 2003 F53 I use Motorcraft 5W-20 semi synthetic as suggested by Ford. I have my oil tested by Blackstone Labs. The last test was over 6,800 miles. It used 1 quart over that period.

Every time I use 5w-20 in mine I use a qt in 3-4000 miles. With 5w-30 it doesn't use any. That tell you something?

Don't use any oil other than 5w-20! Motorcraft semi-synthetic is factory fill. Using a heaver weight oil will compromise engine protection.

5w-30 was factory before they were persuaded to recommend 5w-20 for a fuel mileage increase (ya right) and the 30w will withstand the heat of HD MH use better.

pkunk wrote:

jhilley wrote:
In my 2003 F53 I use Motorcraft 5W-20 semi synthetic as suggested by Ford. I have my oil tested by Blackstone Labs. The last test was over 6,800 miles. It used 1 quart over that period.

Every time I use 5w-20 in mine I use a qt in 3-4000 miles. With 5w-30 it doesn't use any. That tell you something?

It tells me something. Years ago ( early 80's) I had a Chevy Blazer....using 10w30 on a trip to Wyoming Id be a qt low on arrival. Switching to 10W-40....Id make the trip out and back and still be right on the mark. I decided to fork over the $$ for a chassis manual and there it told me that within various temp ranges to run various weights of oil. I stayed with 10W-40 the rest of my life and still do

The 5-20 is used for the cam timeing not the epa.
Stay with 5-20. Why Take à chance?

Bob

Chopperbob wrote:
The 5-20 is used for the cam timeing not the epa.
Stay with 5-20. Why Take à chance?

Bob

There's a new one every day!

WHILE OPERATING the cams wont vary 1 iota whether 5W-20 or 10W-30 motor oil is used!

pkunk wrote:

jhilley wrote:
In my 2003 F53 I use Motorcraft 5W-20 semi synthetic as suggested by Ford. I have my oil tested by Blackstone Labs. The last test was over 6,800 miles. It used 1 quart over that period.

Every time I use 5w-20 in mine I use a qt in 3-4000 miles. With 5w-30 it doesn't use any. That tell you something?

It isn't always a bad thing that an engine uses an acceptable amount of oil. Actually mine doesn't use any in the first 3 to 4000 miles with 5W-20, so it tells me nothing. My 1999 F53 owners manual actually says to us 5W-30, but a later service bulletin says to use 5W-20.

Idahosrt10 wrote:
Don't use any oil other than 5w-20! Motorcraft semi-synthetic is factory fill. Using a heaver weight oil will compromise engine protection.

Nonsense. A 5w oil is far thicker at start-up than even a 50 weight oil is at operating temps---------------so how can a heavier (say 5w-40) oil hurt an engine.