Oil Weight
 

Anybody know why my oil cap says 5W20 oil, and the manual says 5W30? Seems 20 is a bit thin with high ambient temps.

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2K GT Stock
FoolRichard

My 2001 GT uses 5W20 oil per the owners manual, maybe the dealer replaced your cap with a 2001 cap. Use what grade of oil your owners manual states to stay out of trouble with your warranty.
Robb

If it were me I would go with the 5W30.

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1994 Red SVT Lightning #2019 <---now with pics. <FOR SALE>

Thanks for the replies. I'm wondering if they switched to 20w because of the valve train ticking problems.

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2K GT Stock
FoolRichard

I believe Ford and Honda went with 5W20 to get slightly better fuel mileage, but I don't know if they tightened up the clearances, if they did then 5W30 and 10W30 will have a harder time lubing everything that needs oil. The only companys making conventional 5W20 are Pennzoil/Quaker State and Motorcraft. Amsoil is the only one making synthetic as of yet.
Robb

I have a question regaurding oil weights as well. I had my oil changed yesterday, and I accidently grabbed Castrol Syntec 5w-50 instead of 5w-30. By the time this was realized the oil had already been put in, and since its like 5 bucks a quart I just left it. Will this be ok? Should I take it back and have it changed again to 5w-30? Thanks in advance...

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96 Mustang Cobra

Dang. I ran a couple grand with Mobil 1 50w. Should have RTFM first :-)

At least the ticking went away.

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2K GT Stock
FoolRichard

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"I have a question regaurding oil weights as well. I had my oil changed yesterday, and I accidently grabbed Castrol Syntec 5w-50 instead of 5w-30"
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I ran 30w in the winter and 50w in the summer in my 98 GT for a year and a half. Now that we are in to spring, I wouldn't think it would be a problem for you. Then again, I'm the dummy that used 50w on the 2000 GT when 20w was spec'd.

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2K GT Stock
FoolRichard

Here's my logic...

I live in a place that rarely hits freezing in the winter and usually hits over 110 in the summer (sometimes as high as 120). I run with Synthetic Mobil 1 15W50. I figure with the high heat in this town and all the areas around it, the 50W portion of it should hold up better.

Any comments...?

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My '98 Vegas Pony


'98 Rio Red Clearcoat Convertible GT
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[This message has been edited by GaryDawg (edited 05-18-2001).]

what would happen if i used 10-w30 on my 2K stang?

It would flow more slowly and would not start lubing everything as fast as the 5W30. 0W30, 5W30 and 10W30 remain at the same viscosity when the the engine is at operating temperature so there isn't any advantage to 10W30 in a engine designed for 5W30, if you want even faster flow when cold and less wear at start up go with 0W30.
Robb

Ruh-roh....I've been using Mobil-1 synthetic 10W30 for the last 6k miles.

(Bangs head repeatedly on desk.)

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"Back in the day" owned a '66 289 and later a black '68 289.
Current - '00 white GT w/K&N and Flowmasters. Otherwise bone stock.
ET-13.952@98.87 RT-.507 60'-2.09
Son #1 - '87 GT stock
Son #2 - '89 LX 5.0 stock

I'm assuming very few of you have actually seen the inside of a mod motor but the oil passages are very small. Than is why the manual recommends a low weight oil (5w20 or 5w30) depending on model year. My car says 5w30. When you use a higher weight oil 40w or 50w the oil does not pass through the motor as quickly and may not lubricate properly. You may not see any problems for years but I wouldn't try it.

Just something to think about.

FWIW I use 0w30.

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00 GT, MAC Offroad H, Steeda Pulleys & Timing Adjuster, 4.10’s, Flows w/turndowns, UPR shifter, UPR Pro Series LCA’s, Lakewood 70/30’s & 50/50’s, Weld Pro Stars, Kaenen Cobra R Hood, 253.8 RWHP/292.8RWTQ
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