5W-20? What's THAT about?

[oddrodtodd]

My wife and I just bought a 2007 Mercury Mariner with the 3.0 litre Duratec V6. The owner's manual specifies 5W-20 oil (Ford spec WSS-M2C930-A). I've been running Schaeffer's 7000 series semi-syn oil #701, 5w30 in my '98 Taurus with the same engine. this oil meets Ford's spec WSS-M2C929-A. What's up? Is it all about CAFE standards and the fact that this engine isn't particularly "frugal" with gasoline? Maybe there is a real reason Ford recommends such a thin oil. To my way of thinking this is a bit thin for what is a fairly high performance and high revving engine. Especially since I will be doing some towing with it in the summer. Here in Montana it can get into the 90's easily. My Taurus seems to like the Schaeffer oil a lot. Have there been changes to the internal clearances of this engine design? I guess that's enough questions. Any insights would be appreciated.

Thanks, Todd

 

[Clyde65]

Get ready for a flood a thin heads to descend upon this thread to convince you to give up your evil ways of 5w30 and convert you to 5w-20. Consider this post fair warning.

 

[Vilan]

I'll watch the argument from a safe distance.

Do a search on 5W20. It's been discussed a lot.

 

[ImaginThat]

It won't hurt, just step into the Light

 

[Gary Allan]

quote:

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5W-20? What's THAT about?

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I dunno

It might be a 5th column commie conspiracy.

comrad! The party greets you!

 

[Shannow]

It's just a conspiracy for the car manufacturers to get to sell you a new engine (neatly packaged in a new car, might I add) a lot sooner than otherwise.

Stick to 25W-70, and all will be well.

 

[MC5W20]

Either you trust ford or you don't. You decide. Just ask yourself one question. Why would an OEM design, engineer and build a vehicle just to spec out an oil that would ruin it?

If you think it is a conspiracy to kill your new purchase in 15k miles then just run 20w50, its a 20 weight right.

 

[Ray H]

oddrodtodd, if you've been satisfied with the performance, fuel economy, and engine protection you've experienced with 5w30, then there's little reason to alter your habits. No one I know of has lost an engine prematurely to either the 5w30 or 5W-20 viscosity range purely on the basis of either's ability to protect when the most current API/ILSAC ratings are adhered to. The move toward the lighter viscosity oils hasn't been universally accepted - to wit, European automaker recommendations. In their home market, the Japanese are still hedging by recommending 5W-20 with the disclaimer "for highest fuel economy" or similar wording.

 

[labman]

Be careful of anything new. When I was managing a factory, an engineer told me not to adopt any technology that didn't ave a 20 year proven history.

 

[fred0803]

I agree, use 75W/125 oil in the 3.0 banger.

That will put your mind at ease and protect that engine. My ***... The 5/20 (which Ford has tested it with and it's not at all for Cafe reasons, if you are well read...), will just make that engine blow up.

BTW I am waiting for the blow up, on my Escape 01, with 119,000 miles and no oil consumption and always used 5/20 MC from Walmart. Should have used the 75W125, darn...

 

[BrianWC]

quote:

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Originally posted by Vilan:

I'll watch the argument from a safe distance.

Do a search on 5W20. It's been discussed a lot.

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That's the understatement of the year!

What's that saying? What's old is new.....

 

[Clyde65]

Actually I'm a big fan of 5W-20.

If I take 2 quarts of 5W-20 and mix it with 3 quarts of 20W-50, I get a real nice custom made (on the thin side) 10W-40. Mucho perfecto.

 

[JohnnyO]

Much has been posted here already about 5w-20. The Search function is your friend. My wife's Taurus takes 5w-20, I've gotten several Used Oil Analysis (posted in the UOA Forum) and they're all real good.
I have taken comfort from the UOA's and sleep well at night.
With modern engine and oil technology, thick is not necessarily good and thin is not necessarily bad.

 

[427Z06]

Schaeffer makes the #704 SUPREME 7000 SAE 5W-20 for Fords, Mazdas, Hondas and Toyotas that recommend that grade. So I guess Schaeffer Oil joined in on the conspiracy to ruin your engine.

Seriously, dozens upon dozens of UOAs here have shown that the 5w20 grade does as well as any other grade in the recommended application. From Mazdas on the racetrack to big Ford trucks towing boats in Dallas summer heat, no other grade has shown to be any better than the Ford recommended 5w20.

 

[RiotGrip]

quote:

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To my way of thinking this is a bit thin for what is a fairly high performance and high revving engine.

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As suggested earlier, do a search. But as to the above comment, engines like the diameler-chrysler 5.7L HEMI, and the 9000RPM redline mazda rotory engine call for dino 5w-20. And most of the die-hard "thick-heads" on this board will acknowledge that 5w-20 is at least adequate in situations where it is recomended by the manufacturer. So rest easy.

 

[Pablo]

Absolutely zero evidence 5W-20 will harm your engine, and if the last 2-3 years worth of UOA's mean a darn thing there is beginning to be a pile of evidence (albeit anecdotal) that 5W-20 may actually be superior in engines that amazingly call for 5W-20!!!

 

[Nickdfresh]

I was once hesitant regarding 5W-20. But it seems to be a proven, viable oil here for recommended applications. If you have reservations about it, then simply use a synthetic 5W-20/0W-20. This should allay any concerns.

[ August 28, 2006, 10:07 AM: Message edited by: Nickdfresh ]

 

[Auto-Union]

Play it safe with 1q of each 5w-20, 5w30, 10w30, 10w-40 and 20w-50. How could you go wrong?

 

[oddrodtodd]

quote:

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Originally posted by Auto-Union:
Play it safe with 1q of each 5w-20, 5w30, 10w30, 10w-40 and 20w-50. How could you go wrong?

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It holds 6 quarts, so maybe I should throw in a bottle of straight 30 for good measure...
Seriously though, without adding personal opinion what is the supposed advantage of thinner oils - beyond fuel savings?
Todd

 

[TallPaul]

IMO the best place for 5w20 is a during winter in a vehicle that does not drive more than about 15 miles at a time.

10w30 during summer will flow better than 5w20 in winter. Therefore, no harm to run 10w30 in summer.