5W30 - Ford Escape Ecoboost

[crouse]

I need to change oil on my daughter's 2013 Ford Escape Ecoboost today. I needs 5W30 oil. I have either Motorcraft 5W20 Synthetic Blend or 5W20 NAPA (Valvoline) Full Synthetic in my garage. I don't feel going to get some 5W30. Since winter is just around the corner here in Minnesota, I'm thinking one of these 5W20's will be just fine. Probably the NAPA Full Synthetic. Your thoughts?

[jaywish]

Hi,

I know politics, oil and religion are hot button topics.

That said, if the engine specs 5-30W then you really should use the heavier specified oils. They have no reason other then necessity to spec a heavy, by today's standards, oil. So by deduction a 20W does not offer the protection the ford engineers calculate the engine needs.

[RF Overlord]

Agree w/jaywish.

Where oils requirements are getting thinner, if there was any way they could have spec'd 5W-20 they would have. Use what they said.

[EMAS]

5-20 only exists for CAFE purposes and Ford will only spec it if the engine will meet durability standards with it. So no do not put 5-20 in it because winter is coming. You shouldn't really be putting 5-20 in your Marauder either as again that was done for CAFE the engine was designed for 5-30 and just because it met the minimum durability requirements with 5-20 doesn't mean that it is good for the longevity of the engine.

So go to your local FLAPS or WalMart and get some 5-30.

[Turbov6Bryan]

That napa oil is my second favorite oil, it's good stuff.

It's officially getting chilly out, I'd toss the 5w20 in it and not worry about it

[jimbok1951]

You shouldn't really be putting 5-20 in your Marauder either


My 2004 Marauder manual page 208 says to use this (5-20)

[crouse]

Went to Walmart and picked up a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 of 5W30, but no 1 quart bottles. Had to go to OReilly's.

[RF Overlord]

Mobil 1 5W30

There you go...

[RF Overlord]

The OP's post reminded me to 'splain something, for those who may not understand.

In a 5W-30 multigrade oil, the first number...the 5W-...means that this oil will behave the same as a single 5-grade oil would at low temperatures, and will behave as a single 30-grade would at operating temperature. So in areas of the country that get cold, you'd be better served going from 5W-30 to 0W-30 than by going to 5W-20.

[EMAS]

You shouldn't really be putting 5-20 in your Marauder either


My 2004 Marauder manual page 208 says to use this (5-20)

Yeah that is what it says in the manual because of CAFE. Steve Babcock the lead engineer for the Marauder and former powertrain engineer has stated as much on here at one point. He was responsible for determining which engines would last long enough to be subject to 5-20. He tore down many engines that had been run on both and has said he will not run 5-20 in any of his vehicles due to what he has seen.