Ok heres the question. Most of the time I use Mobil 1 0w30 whenever I change my oil. Well Wal-Mart stop caring the ow30. So can I start using the 5w30 Mobil 1 that comes in the 5 qt jug? Have any of you ever use anything besides the 5w20 that the manuals show?

 

I've used 5w30 Mobil 1 since my first oil change with no problems.

 

I use Mobil 10w30 in mine, but I run mine pretty hard. 5w30 is excellent for normal use Rangers.

 

???

Mine specified 5w30 in the owner's manual. Maybe it's different with '04s.

 

Well I know mine has 5w20 in the manual too, but every v6 I've ever had I used 5w30. I know 5w30 is just alittle thicker that the 5w20, but it shouldn't matter that much. Figured I would ask some of you first before I change from ow20 mobile 1 to the 5w30 mobile 1.

 

Ford switched to 5w-20 to try to increase fuel economy. Some engines are going to be more picky than others about switching to 5w-30.

 

Yes, Ford changed it in a lot of their cars a couple years back (including my dad's 01 Cobra) to increase their fuel economy rating. They say to put 5W-20 in a lot of their newer engines to balance out the terrible gas mileage their bigger truck engines get.

But to answer your question, I used Motorcraft 5W-20 up until 20,000 miles. After 20K I switched to Mobil 1 5W-30. I've gotten better gas mileage (not much but hey it's some) and noticed a little better of an idle when sitting at stop lights. It's definately worth the extra money.

 

http://www.amsoil.com/articlespr/pr_new5w20_oil.htm

And I quote: "Ford believes the switch to lighter viscosity oils will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 190,000 metric tons a year and reduce U.S. fuel consumption by over 21 million gallons a year."

 

I'm using 0W30 Amsoil Series 2000 and only changing my oil once a year -- though I do the filter every 6000 miles and add 1/2 quart when I do that to make up for what come out with the filter. It works out to about 20,000 miles between oil changes.

 

I'm not big on the idea of changing oil after such a long time. It still gets dirty doesn't it? I'd rather not take the chance.

 

Your instincts are right -- but not on target. The oil gets dirty as soon as you start your vehicle.

I have my oil tested when I drain it and it's within spec to continue being used, especially in terms of particulates/silicon and what not. A good filter keeps the larger more damaging particles down just fine.

The characteristic that kills engine oil is typically NOT dirt -- it's the breakdown of the base stock and depletion of the additives. This has almost nothing to do with dirt. Modern engines run so clean that if you use a good filter (both air and oil) dirt is not the major issue in oil longevity. Most of the damaging dirt that kills an engine comes in by your air intake, not from combustion.