moosestang

Have you measured those clearances? I believe that to be Ford BS based on the fact that owners manuals in other countries recommend 5w30.

Do you have a link about the VVT?

Riptide

lol not this again.

Evidence is that Ford probably uses 5w20 spec primarily for CAFE standards. Is 5w30 better? Probably not depending on how you use your car.

If you track your car around a road course or push it extremely hard for extended time periods then it might be preferable. DD type use and the occasional spirited run around town or down the drag strip not so much.

Either way it doesn't much matter. From what I've read a 30w typically shears down to a 20w in around 2000 miles anyway. The two are actually extremely similar.

moosestang

You don't think 20w will shear? If I were running on a road coarse, then i'd be using a racing oil.

The 20w debate goes back many, many years. The tighter tolerances excuse was being regurgitated back in the 2v days.

Riptide

The 20w won't shear near as much as the 30w.

And yeah this is one of those "debates" that has been going on forever.

Nuke

Geez, yeah. You'll be fine on the dino 5W30. If it bugs you, change to a good blend or full syn 5W20. Just be sure not to let it go beyond 3,000 miles since it's dino. For blend you're good for 5,000-7,000. I use full synthetic and go 8,000-10,000 miles on all my vehicles. That includes a bunch that have gone well over 200,000 miles.

You shouldn't be using much, if any, oil. I drove my Stang on multiple 800 miles-at-a-time (one way) trips and used no oil. With the nicer weather, I'll be back to the usual 900 mile round trips 1-2 times/month. She doesn't use oil then either. Almost 28,000 miles on the odometer.

SirKnightTG

I've been using 10w30 synthetic for about 5 to 6 K miles now. No problems at all. Actually I have 5 qt of 10w30 and 1 qt of 5w30.

Just as long as you don't put water in it you'll be fine with pretty much any oil.

-SHIFTY-

Well - I finally got a hold of the previous owner. Cool guy - member of this forum actually, so that was cool to hear. I just dumped my oil and switched back to what he had in it. 5w 20 Mobil One Synthetic, I'm going to change it again in about 2-3K just to get any of the 5w 30 left in it, out.

I also spoke with an engine builder, he said as long as the oils (synthetic vs non-synthetic oil in same motor) didn't get hot (overheat) your fine. If you do get it too hot, this gives the different oils a chance to "gel" up and that is where you'll cause damage.

loots06

Funny, I just changed my oil. I was using 5W-20 but now I'm using 5W-30 moble 1. I accidentally purchased the wrong oil and did not realize it until after I had put the oil in.

I'm not to concerned about the oil for a number of reasons, one being having the proper amount of oil in your car is better than having no oil. From what I have read the S197 uses approximately 6.65 quarts of oil. Perhaps this could be a reason that some are not getting the proper reading.

Better yet is making sure your not getting any oil in the intake, use a catch can if your FI, as it could cause you some problems.

Weather and heat factors but either oil weight should be fine at operating temp even if you running down the track.