Truck is my dad's 2000 Ford F-150 with 5.4 Triton. I offered to change the oil and said maybe he should use a synthetic whereas he goes quite a while between changes, and with another cold Maine winter just around the corner, but he says the manual states that it can't use synthetic. I believe they came with semi-syn from the factory, but I haven't been by his house yet to read the manual. I don't believe it. Anyone heard of this? Thanks.
Ford F150 5.4, Can't use synthetic?
- Thread starter RedSoxRacer
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I don't believe it. Sounds like hogwash to me.
I don't believe it either.
I find it very hard to believe any modern engine would have a problem with a proper synthetic oil.
I find it very hard to believe any modern engine would have a problem with a proper synthetic oil.
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That's a crock of poo. It doesn't say that in the manual at all.
We run syn in both our 5.4L's and our 4.6L.
We run syn in both our 5.4L's and our 4.6L.
That is seriously just plain bizarre.
It's out of warranty anyways, just put syn in.. You know it will be fine.
Haha..
It's out of warranty anyways, just put syn in.. You know it will be fine.
Haha..
A lot of Manuals say something like "Blah blah Recommends mineral based oils"
Luckily mostly everything from the shelf is mineral based any how
Luckily mostly everything from the shelf is mineral based any how
I just pulled the owners manual up and it says nothing about not using synthetic. just gives the generic ford recommendation for Motorcraft oil.
Maybe they want a certain OCI, and don't want to go into another 30 page outline of why you must change your synthetic oil at the same mileage as conventional...Could also be some other reason, I don't see why a manufacture can't specify what oil they think is best for the product they make... Or maybe they know synthetic oil will make no difference at all in this engine/combined with vehicle use etc..
Now as to if it would be detrimental to the engine I don't think so in anyway, so use what you want to.
Now as to if it would be detrimental to the engine I don't think so in anyway, so use what you want to.
We use Mobil 1 5w-20 in our 5.4 F150, I can't imagine that causing any problems.
Thanks for all the replies. I found the manual online and don't see anything about synthetics, so that's what it will get!! I do, however, see they have back-spec'd it to use 5w-20.
Thanks!
Thanks!
My dad has a 2000 F-150, and his manual does use some weaselly wording to suggest the engine may begin pinging on 87 octane if the owner uses a higher grade. Maybe your father was getting this confused with synthetic oil?
I think it's more likely that someone he works with told him this.
I used RP or Mobil 1 5W20 in my 03 F150 FX4 from mile 1 until I traded her in, in 07 with 75k on the clock. Zero issues.
Originally Posted By: RedSoxRacer
I think it's more likely that someone he works with told him this.
This is more likely.
Most owner's manuals I've seen recommend conventional oil, and say that synthetic is not required. Most often go on to say that if you choose to use synthetic oil, it must still meet all the material specs and API starburst, etc.
I've not yet seen one that recommends AGAINST synthetic oil. The only vehicle I've ever heard of that seems to objectively run better on conventional oil is the Mazda RX-8, but I don't know what the owner's manual says about oil selection.
I think it's more likely that someone he works with told him this.
This is more likely.
Most owner's manuals I've seen recommend conventional oil, and say that synthetic is not required. Most often go on to say that if you choose to use synthetic oil, it must still meet all the material specs and API starburst, etc.
I've not yet seen one that recommends AGAINST synthetic oil. The only vehicle I've ever heard of that seems to objectively run better on conventional oil is the Mazda RX-8, but I don't know what the owner's manual says about oil selection.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: RedSoxRacer
I think it's more likely that someone he works with told him this.
This is more likely.
Agree with the above.
I've had people insist that the Marauder manual says it requires MC 5W-20 when in reality it says it's recommended.
Originally Posted By: RedSoxRacer
I think it's more likely that someone he works with told him this.
This is more likely.
Agree with the above.
I've had people insist that the Marauder manual says it requires MC 5W-20 when in reality it says it's recommended.
I think with a few exceptions (the 4.0V6 and 3.9V8 come to mind), every Ford engine was "back-speced" to 5w20. Doesn't mean anyone uses it though.
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