Went to my Ford dealership's service department today. And I asked the chief serviceman if I could use 5w-30 oil instead of the recommended 5w-20. And I asked the guy if it would void my warranty. He said, "sure you can use 5w-30, it won't hurt a thing." And it "WILL NOT" void your warranty. I gotta tell ya, I ain't using that water thin Motorcrap 5w-20 oil! I'll stick with my Valvoline Durablend semi/syn 5w-30. Beside's the 5w-30 is still a 5 weight oil. Which means it still pumps through the engine just as fast as 5w-20. But the viscosity is a little higher which means more added protection at high temps. So, you don't have to use the "recommended" 5w-20 Motorcraft oil that Ford "suggests" that you use in your engine. The only reason for the switch to 5w-20 for the 2001-02' is for fuel economy reasons. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thumbs up on the Valvoline!

 

It was my understanding that by going with the 5w-20 weight oil, Ford was able to pick up something like one half of one tenth of a mile per gallon for the fuel economy rating.

I know it doesn't sound significant, but multiply that times the 800,000+ trucks they sold for 2001 and it starts to make sense.

I personally won't go through all the hassle of trying to find the 5w-20. Talk about a pain in the ***!

 

guys, I live in a little Texas town on the Mexican border and I can get 5w-20 in Motocraft blend, Valvoline, Pennzoil, Havoline, and Castrol....

can't believe folks living in "civilization" are having problems getting it...I wonder what the deal is...

check out the VERY long thread abour 5w-20 in the "engines forum" it is very informative...lots of good points of view on this issue...

 

please keep in mind that while 5w30 may not void your warranty, Ford still reserves the right to NOT honor a warranty claim for a blown engine if you did not use the recommended oil.

If your dealer says it will not void warranty, GET IT IN WRITING. That way someone is on the hook for any warranty repairs that Ford will not honor.


For the record, I do agree with using 5w30, I just don't trust Ford. So many stories on this board of people getting the shaft...

 

The Motorcraft 5W-20 is basically a 5W-20 version of the Valvoline blend. It is made at the same Ashland oil plant.