Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Does anyone know of or have a list of what Ford has back-spec'd to 5W-20? and what engines they'd rather have you use 5W-30 in?
TSB 01-4-7
ISSUE:
Engine oil recommended for use in 2001 vehicles is SAE 5W-20 motor oil.
This oil has an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. This oil
can also be used to service some previous model year vehicles.
ACTION:
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil at recommended oil change intervals for 2001
vehicles, with the exception of the following vehicles listed in the
"Exception 2001 Vehicles" chart.
All 2001 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001
Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory
and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil.
Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil:
1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique
1999-2001 2.5L Cougar 1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable
1999-2001 3.0L (Vulcan) Ranger (Flexible Fuel and Gas), Windstar,
Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas)
1996-1997 3.8L Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2001 3.8L Mustang and 3.8L SPI Windstar
1997-2001 4.2L (SPI) F-150 (under 8500 GVW only), Econoline
1996-2001 4.6L 2V Mustang
1992-2001 4.6L Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
1991-2001 4.6L Town Car
1994-1997 4.6L 2V Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2001 4.6L 4V Mustang Cobra
1995-2001 4.6L Continental
1993-1998 4.6L 4V Mark VIII
1998-2001 5.4L 2V/4V Navigator
1997-2001 4.6L 2V Triton F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), Econoline,
Expedition
1997-2001 5.4L 2V F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), Expedition,
E-150/250/350, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1997-2001 6.8L E-250/350, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1999-2001 6.8L Super Duty F-Series 250 HD/350/450/550 Motorhome
2001 2.0L Zetec/2.0L SPI Focus
2001 2.0L Zetec/3.0L Escape
2001 2.0L SPI Escort
2000-2001 5.4L/6.8L Excursion
2000-2001 3.0L Lincoln LS
2001 2.0L Zetec Escort ZX2
NOTE: THE "EXCEPTION 2001 VEHICLES" SHOULD BE SERVICED WITH SAE 5W-30
MOTOR OIL.
Exception 2001 Vehicles:
Engine Vehicle
2.5L Ranger
3.3L Villager
3.9L Lincoln LS
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport
Trac
5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
NOTE: IF VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THIS APPLICATION, SAE 5W-30 OIL IS
RECOMMENDED. REFER TO TSB 99-8-16.
The following Q $ A's were originally posted to the Mustang newsgroup
months ago -
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING MOTOR OIL .... [ info on ATF deleted ]
Q. Why did Motorcraft release SAE 5W-20 motor oil?
A. It was the right thing to do for the consumer and for the
environment. It was one of Ford's first steps in improving the fuel
economy of our SUVs by 25% by the 2005 calendar year. SAE 5W-20 improves
fuel consumption by approximately 0.6 percent. For the 2001 fleet, this
amounts to reducing fuel usage by more than 21 million gallons per year.
This reduction in gasoline consumption leads to a reduction in carbon
dioxide emissions by 190,000 metric tons per year, which is equivalent
to taking nearly 23,100 cars and trucks off the road each year.
Q. Is there really a difference in quality between 5W-20 and 5W-30?
A. It is important to separate the differences in viscosity grade, and
also the differences in the performance standards set by the
International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC)
and the accompanying American Petroleum Institute (API) performance
categories to answer this question.
First, SAE 5W-20 oils are slightly less viscous at operating temperature
than SAE 5W-30 oils. This reduction in viscous drag contributes to
reduced friction in the engine and thus improved fuel economy for an SAE
5W-20.
Second, there are differences between the present ILSAC GF-2 standard
(GF stands for gasoline fueled) and the soon to be commercialized GF-3
standard. The performance of a GF-3 oil will be significantly improved
over a GF-2 oil. When Motorcraft released it's SAE 5W-20 formulation we
wanted it to perform at the GF-3 level; but the GF-3 spec had not been
finalized, so we 'guesstimated' what GF-3 would look like. In so doing
we doubled the length of the standard dynamometer Sequence IIIE test
(which duplicates high temperature trailer towing) which increases wear
protection and reduces oil thickening. While GF-3 also improves on the
standard GF-2 Sequence IIIE test, it went nowhere near as far as Ford
did. This provides Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 with a significant increase over
'standard' GF-3 oils, which most SAE 5W-30 oils will meet.
Taking all this into account, the Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 will be a
significant improvement over most SAE 5W-30 oils.
Q. Does the difference in price between Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 and SAE
5W-30 really reflect a better oil?
A. Yes. The better base oils, and increased additives such as friction
modifiers and anti-oxidants used to formulate for the performance levels
in the SAE 5W-20 do cost more, but reflect the significant increase in
performance.
Q. What Ford and Lincoln/Mercury vehicles use SAE 5W-20 oil?
A. Approximately 80% of 2001 models should be serviced with SAE 5W-20
oils. By 2003 model year all Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles will be
filled with SAE 5W-20 at the factory. But there are a significant number
of older vehicles, some as old as 1991 models where Ford now recommends
servicing with SAE 5W-20. Refer to the chart listed in Technical Service
Bulletin Article No. 01-4-7 for details of which older models should use
SAE 5W-20 and for the 2001 'exception' models which should continue to
use SAE 5W-30.
Q. What happens if someone uses SAE 5W-20 in older vehicles?
A. As stated before some older vehicles have been approved for SAE
5W-20. However, there are many older vehicles not covered by TSB 01-4-7,
and Ford is presently testing these to determine whether durability and
performance would be compromised if SAE 5W-20 was used. Until this
testing is successfully completed (and a TSB is published to this
effect), it is not recommended using SAE 5W-20 in an older model unless
specifically mentioned in TSB 01-4-7.
Q. Is Motorcraft the only brand for SAE 5W-20 motor oil?
A. No. Although SAE 5W-20 is not yet a popular viscosity grade, major
marketers including Pennzoil, Quaker State, Valvoline, Exxon and others
have either already begun marketing an SAE 5W-20 or have plans to do so.
Customers should find this viscosity grade increasingly available in
coming months, including at some retail outlets.
Q. Will SAE 5W-20 provide longer oil change intervals?
A. At the present time Ford recommends no change to the existing drain
interval for SAE 5W-20. However, Ford is investigating allowing longer
drain intervals since the performance level of Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 is
significantly better than today's GF-2 oils.
Q. Why does Wal-Mart have Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 so much cheaper than
dealers can now buy it?
A. Oil and Filter change is the number one Do-It-Yourself repair. Many
Ford Motor Company customers are avid Do-It-Yourselfers. Some may
purchase required products from our franchised dealerships, however,
most prefer to purchase products available at mass merchandisers. If our
product is not available they will buy other brands available at these
retailers. Ford Motor Company has an obligation to the EPA to ensure all
of our customers have access to this new oil and Wal-Mart is one of
several retailers carrying Motorcraft products. Wal-Mart bought several
truckloads of Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 at the original introductory price.
These original quantities are still available at Wal-Mart. As Wal-Mart
re-orders Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 in the future they will purchase it at
the increased price.
