WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
02-20-2007, 11:47 AM
#1
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WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
So here is my dilemma. Ford "recommends" 5W-20, but it is well know that 20 weight is thin when it comes to high heat protection. The reason Ford did this is because it needed to meet the CAFE fuel economy minimums, and one "technique" for doing this is to low ball the oil weight. Yes, 20 weight oil gets you more fuel economy, but you see boys and girls, 20 weight oil is also thinner, and therefore is BAD for engine longevity. 5W is obviously good enough for wniter conditions, but it's the 20 weight that is the issue.
So, you get the picture. 20 weight is great for fuel economy, but isn't good enough for high heat protection, simply because it isn't thick enough. Case in point, there isn't a single race car out there that would be caught dead with 20 weight oil in the crankcase. So here is my question. Would 5W-40 be a better oil? How about 0W-40?
So, you get the picture. 20 weight is great for fuel economy, but isn't good enough for high heat protection, simply because it isn't thick enough. Case in point, there isn't a single race car out there that would be caught dead with 20 weight oil in the crankcase. So here is my question. Would 5W-40 be a better oil? How about 0W-40?
02-20-2007, 01:15 PM
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RE: WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
ORIGINAL: schapman
Is your car a racecar?if not put the recommended 5W20 in. go for a synthetic though
Is your car a racecar?if not put the recommended 5W20 in. go for a synthetic though
02-20-2007, 01:19 PM
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RE: WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
ORIGINAL: xbone
The 3V engine needs the thinner oil to operate the VCT phasers properly, thicker oilcan cause them to act up, stay with Motorcraft oil.
The 3V engine needs the thinner oil to operate the VCT phasers properly, thicker oilcan cause them to act up, stay with Motorcraft oil.
If the Variable Cam Timing solenoids are that sensitive to oil viscosity, then Ford would have mandated the use of 20 weight oil. Last I looked, they didn't.
02-20-2007, 01:27 PM
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RE: WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
Thin oil is OK. The problem comes when you have NO oil film between moving parts.
The Modular engines are designed with wider bearings than older engines. They also have roller cam followers instead of flat tappets. These features mean that they can run lower viscosity oil than older generation engines without a problem. In fact, like xbone said, they NEED to have fairly thin oil compared to older engines in order for the cam phasers and the hydraulic rocker pedastals to operate properly.
I see no problems running 5W20. All of the big race shops like Livernois, JDM, MMR and such are sticking with this oil as well.
If you are very concerned about your oil performance and longevity, there is a much weaker link than the oil grade. That would be the oil filtration. Make sure your change your oil and filtration regularly and frequently to keep it clean. Modern oils can last a long time, but the filters cannot--especially the fairly small filters that Ford is using on these engines. If you are looking for a "mod" to improve your oiling for some reason, then get a remote mount and start running a larger filter.
The Modular engines are designed with wider bearings than older engines. They also have roller cam followers instead of flat tappets. These features mean that they can run lower viscosity oil than older generation engines without a problem. In fact, like xbone said, they NEED to have fairly thin oil compared to older engines in order for the cam phasers and the hydraulic rocker pedastals to operate properly.
I see no problems running 5W20. All of the big race shops like Livernois, JDM, MMR and such are sticking with this oil as well.
If you are very concerned about your oil performance and longevity, there is a much weaker link than the oil grade. That would be the oil filtration. Make sure your change your oil and filtration regularly and frequently to keep it clean. Modern oils can last a long time, but the filters cannot--especially the fairly small filters that Ford is using on these engines. If you are looking for a "mod" to improve your oiling for some reason, then get a remote mount and start running a larger filter.
02-20-2007, 01:33 PM
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RE: WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
ORIGINAL: schapman
no! 5W40 would shorten the life of the vehicle. Oil has to be thin enough to work is small passaged in your engine. With your thinking why not just put 5w50 in?
no! 5W40 would shorten the life of the vehicle. Oil has to be thin enough to work is small passaged in your engine. With your thinking why not just put 5w50 in?
02-20-2007, 01:42 PM
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RE: WHAT'S THE BEST MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL?
ORIGINAL: CrazyAl
Thin oil is OK. The problem comes when you have NO oil film between moving parts.
The Modular engines are designed with wider bearings than older engines. They also have roller cam followers instead of flat tappets. These features mean that they can run lower viscosity oil than older generation engines without a problem. In fact, like xbone said, they NEED to have fairly thin oil compared to older engines in order for the cam phasers and the hydraulic rocker pedastals to operate properly.
I see no problems running 5W20. All of the big race shops like Livernois, JDM, MMR and such are sticking with this oil as well.
If you are very concerned about your oil performance and longevity, there is a much weaker link than the oil grade. That would be the oil filtration. Make sure your change your oil and filtration regularly and frequently to keep it clean. Modern oils can last a long time, but the filters cannot--especially the fairly small filters that Ford is using on these engines. If you are looking for a "mod" to improve your oiling for some reason, then get a remote mount and start running a larger filter.
Thin oil is OK. The problem comes when you have NO oil film between moving parts.
The Modular engines are designed with wider bearings than older engines. They also have roller cam followers instead of flat tappets. These features mean that they can run lower viscosity oil than older generation engines without a problem. In fact, like xbone said, they NEED to have fairly thin oil compared to older engines in order for the cam phasers and the hydraulic rocker pedastals to operate properly.
I see no problems running 5W20. All of the big race shops like Livernois, JDM, MMR and such are sticking with this oil as well.
If you are very concerned about your oil performance and longevity, there is a much weaker link than the oil grade. That would be the oil filtration. Make sure your change your oil and filtration regularly and frequently to keep it clean. Modern oils can last a long time, but the filters cannot--especially the fairly small filters that Ford is using on these engines. If you are looking for a "mod" to improve your oiling for some reason, then get a remote mount and start running a larger filter.