oil change question

dodge guy wrote:

mosseater wrote:

Atlee wrote:
Is 5w-20 a typo, or do you have the 5.0L Ford engine? The 3.5L Ecoboost definitely calls for 5w-30 oil.

mosseater wrote:
I have been using Motorcraft 5w-20 synth blend as recommended since new. I change the oil around 3-4k miles. I was told I should follow the extreme duty schedule if I tow AT ALL, not only "all the time". I didn't follow the schedule on coolant, and finally changed it at 100K miles, rather than like 40K, and the coolant broke down and turned to goo. My system couldn't get rid of the heat because of the thin layer of brown goo coating the inside of the radiator and aux cooler. Got pretty expensive until we finally figured it out. Oil changes are cheap insurance IMO.

I have the 5.4 L. It calls for 5w-20

My 02 V-10 calls for 5W20. Ive been running 5W30 since the second oil change. 5W20 after 12 hours on the road and parked overnight sounds like it’s comimg part the next morning when started cold! 5W30 is what I have run since 20k Miles. I now have 101K with no issues.

I have some doubt it makes a whole lot of difference in most cases. The two are very close as far as viscosity. I have 172,000 of pretty hard running, and it works fine for me. Going to stick with what works. I probably have two years to drive this truck yet before trade up. Will be well over 200K by then.