Dealer put 5W30 into GT
10-29-2006, 05:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location:
Posts: 15
Dealer put 5W30 into GT
Not sure why I looked at the invoice from yesterdays oil change but just noticed that the dealer put 5W30 in instead of the recommended 5W20. Going to call them first thing in the morning to rectify the situation but in the meantime was just wondering if this is going to cause any problems as it's going to take me a week before I can get the car back to the dealer.
On a side note they were going to charge me 2 1/2 hours labour to install my recently purchased FRPP axle-backs so I said no thanks, purchased some axle jacks on the way home and installed them myself in just over two hours. Makes me very suspicious of the dealership now. May have to start doing my own oil changes!!!
On a side note they were going to charge me 2 1/2 hours labour to install my recently purchased FRPP axle-backs so I said no thanks, purchased some axle jacks on the way home and installed them myself in just over two hours. Makes me very suspicious of the dealership now. May have to start doing my own oil changes!!!
10-29-2006, 06:13 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 1,700
RE: Dealer put 5W30 into GT
being a former dealer tech I can tell you most of the time they're f'n you. You have to find the right kind of service advisor and build a relationship with them. Anything that's strictly R/R just do yourself. No sense in payin a dealer $95/hr
the 5w30 wont hurt for a week or so. If it's really cold in your area just give the car time to get up to operating temp before puttin the spurs to it, which you should be doing anyway.
the 5w30 wont hurt for a week or so. If it's really cold in your area just give the car time to get up to operating temp before puttin the spurs to it, which you should be doing anyway.
10-30-2006, 01:49 AM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 165
RE: Dealer put 5W30 into GT
From what I understand, the governement charges the auto manufacturers a certain dollar amount for every tenth of a mile per gallon as they go over a certain standard that is established. Some auto manufacturers have gone to 5W-20 because it affords them better mileage numbers. The average customer will not really see these gains. I would say in general, if you live in a colder climate, use the 5W-20. It's thinner than 5W-30, and will start to flow faster in colder temps. If you live somewhere warmer, I think the 5W-30 is fine.
10-30-2006, 03:51 PM
#6
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,544
RE: Dealer put 5W30 into GT
5W30 won't hurt anything (except maybe a small drop in mileage). I had to use 5W30 for my first oil change becasue the "proper" weight was not available and it was either that or no change.
I always cut open my old oil filters after the change and examine the inside for any signs of metallic debris (a sign of engine damage) and it looked just fine afterwards. I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, it was FORD that put that oil in there. They can't deny you the warranty when you went to THEM for service.
Oil weights aren't an exact science. Many of you may remember that years ago cars came with a chart that explained what weight of oil was optimal for what temperature. You don't see much of that these days becasue everyone wants you to run the thinnest possible oil for better mileage, but the point is that unless you make a DRASTIC error in oil weight selection, you'll be fine.
If you're really that worried about it, just buy some proper weight oil and redo the oil change. It's not expensive or difficult.
I always cut open my old oil filters after the change and examine the inside for any signs of metallic debris (a sign of engine damage) and it looked just fine afterwards. I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, it was FORD that put that oil in there. They can't deny you the warranty when you went to THEM for service.
Oil weights aren't an exact science. Many of you may remember that years ago cars came with a chart that explained what weight of oil was optimal for what temperature. You don't see much of that these days becasue everyone wants you to run the thinnest possible oil for better mileage, but the point is that unless you make a DRASTIC error in oil weight selection, you'll be fine.
If you're really that worried about it, just buy some proper weight oil and redo the oil change. It's not expensive or difficult.
10-30-2006, 05:37 PM
#8
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,544
RE: Dealer put 5W30 into GT
For the average user? I seriously doubt it.
On a sophisticated engine dyno under ideal circumstances? Yeah, you could probably measure it. Would the difference be significant? I doubt it.
Remember that every 1/100th of 1 % that Ford can lower their average fuel economy by saves them money....
On a sophisticated engine dyno under ideal circumstances? Yeah, you could probably measure it. Would the difference be significant? I doubt it.
Remember that every 1/100th of 1 % that Ford can lower their average fuel economy by saves them money....
10-30-2006, 08:36 PM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 1,700
RE: Dealer put 5W30 into GT
it actually has more to do with the ring and bearing clearances of the mod motors. when i worked in the shop we had Lincolns coming in all the time with the oil filters blown off the threads because the old fart driving it pu in 10w30 or 20w50 because he always had put that in his Lincoln lol. the heavier oil really boosts up the pressure
