Proper viscosity is not validated by wear measure - a light grade could be showing OK wear then - BANG! Thats what a safety margin is. Floor the car to pass a truck - engine is at redline - BANG! Most catastrophic wear particulate end up in the filter not the UOA - you can have a broken engine show 20ppm Fe, Al, Cr, Si.
Can I use up some 5w-20...
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I'd try it,you can always drain it if you feel quilty.
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Originally Posted By: JohnBrowning
Mix in one quart to the 5W30 or use it for top off on your lawn equipment or snow blower etc.....
I agree, just use it up a little at a time. One or two quarts 5w20 with the rest 5w30 should be just fine, and very good in the winter!
Mix in one quart to the 5W30 or use it for top off on your lawn equipment or snow blower etc.....
I agree, just use it up a little at a time. One or two quarts 5w20 with the rest 5w30 should be just fine, and very good in the winter!
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Proper viscosity is not validated by wear measure - a light grade could be showing OK wear then - BANG! Thats what a safety margin is. Floor the car to pass a truck - engine is at redline - BANG! Most catastrophic wear particulate end up in the filter not the UOA - you can have a broken engine show 20ppm Fe, Al, Cr, Si.
I agree with your statements. We are talking about the difference between a dino 5w30 vs a semi syn 5w20. We are not talking a huge spread here, and it is his wifes daily driver that goes 15 miles to work and back with some running around mixed in. These engines have done very well on generic 5w30, one run on a 5w20 thru the winter will not hurt this truck. Would i recommend running it forever, no but one run wont hurt it a bit. This being said, there have been some good points brought up about why maybe not to run it. Afterall were talking about 11 bucks to stop at walmart and pick up some 5w30 and everyone is happy. Mix the 5w20 in small doses until it gone. Problem solved and oil gets used. Happy and no waste. GTG
Proper viscosity is not validated by wear measure - a light grade could be showing OK wear then - BANG! Thats what a safety margin is. Floor the car to pass a truck - engine is at redline - BANG! Most catastrophic wear particulate end up in the filter not the UOA - you can have a broken engine show 20ppm Fe, Al, Cr, Si.
I agree with your statements. We are talking about the difference between a dino 5w30 vs a semi syn 5w20. We are not talking a huge spread here, and it is his wifes daily driver that goes 15 miles to work and back with some running around mixed in. These engines have done very well on generic 5w30, one run on a 5w20 thru the winter will not hurt this truck. Would i recommend running it forever, no but one run wont hurt it a bit. This being said, there have been some good points brought up about why maybe not to run it. Afterall were talking about 11 bucks to stop at walmart and pick up some 5w30 and everyone is happy. Mix the 5w20 in small doses until it gone. Problem solved and oil gets used. Happy and no waste. GTG
Man, I'm learning a lot here! I wasn't aware that the second number could have such a significant impact on an engine. I read on this board all the time that some guys switched to 5/20 from 5/30. Now that I think of it some manuals spec different oil weights for different temp ranges.
But as was stated Ford did not back spec this engine for 5/20. My engine has only ever seen 5w30 so I'll stick with the 30 and use the 5/20 for the greased pig contest, LOL. I'll use it up as top off oil. Heck it's not milk, I have 4 cars it should be gone in a year.
Thank You for the free education
But as was stated Ford did not back spec this engine for 5/20. My engine has only ever seen 5w30 so I'll stick with the 30 and use the 5/20 for the greased pig contest, LOL. I'll use it up as top off oil. Heck it's not milk, I have 4 cars it should be gone in a year.
Thank You for the free education
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Use it up one qt at a time. Good advice...or just run it for the winter and nothing bad will happen. I run 5-20 MC in my 96 V6 Tacoma each winter and it actually revs smoother and idles quieter. I have done uoa's and only the Iron goes up by a tiny bit, nothing to worry about. This engine was not backed spec'd for 5-20.
One thing I've learned from BITOG is that other people love to experiment with your engine!
You made the right choice by sticking with the 5w30.
You made the right choice by sticking with the 5w30.
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I keep it real simple, if the OM states one grade of oil only and gives me no choices I stick with that grade of oil. If given choices I match the oil to the climate and work load of the vehicle.
If you really want to get rid of the oil use up 1 qt at a time, and/or use it for make up oil. The pump in your 07 Explorer was not designed for 20wt oil.
If you really want to get rid of the oil use up 1 qt at a time, and/or use it for make up oil. The pump in your 07 Explorer was not designed for 20wt oil.
GFlame - What are the heat exchange qualities of the 30W that you are aware of?
I've noticed that dosing just a pint of 5w-20 in a 5-30 service fill will drop the apparent* pan viscosity a lot. I wouldnt blend a qt in a 4-5 at sump.
*in seat of the driver tactile
*in seat of the driver tactile
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