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08-21-2012, 09:49 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 449
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Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
Hey guys, i have been using motorcraft oil for all this time, but i kind of want to try different oils out there.
Like the castrol edge titanum, all i can find in the jug ones are the 5w30
Is it okay for me to put that in my ranger? Or does it have to be 5w20?
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Proud owner of 04 F0rd Ranger EDGE 2WD
Stepside, Single Cab
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08-21-2012, 10:28 PM
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Seirra Romeo 2 Kilo
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fenderpicks
Hey guys, i have been using motorcraft oil for all this time, but i kind of want to try different oils out there.
Like the castrol edge titanum, all i can find in the jug ones are the 5w30
Is it okay for me to put that in my ranger? Or does it have to be 5w20?
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Can you run it? Yes, you can run with no oil too, doesn't mean its good for it.
Is it reccomended, no, ford engineers specifically designed the engine to run with 5w-20, and anything else is less than ideal. If you were down a quart at a gas station and all they had was 5w-30 then I would run it, but if your changing the oil definatly try to get factory spec'd oil.
Sent from between the spare tire and the evap canister.
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1998 Ranger XLT, Ext Cab - SOLD
1999 F150 XLT, Supercab, Longbed
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08-22-2012, 01:15 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,010
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fenderpicks
Hey guys, i have been using motorcraft oil for all this time, but i kind of want to try different oils out there.
Like the castrol edge titanum, all i can find in the jug ones are the 5w30
Is it okay for me to put that in my ranger? Or does it have to be 5w20?
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Yes you can, but be carefull. Too thick and it will cause problems. Not thick enough and it won't lube properly. My truck has 124,796 miles on it. My truck calls for 5W20 but I run 10W30 in mine. Here's how you "read the oil". For Example: 10W30. 10 is what the oil's flow rate is when the engine is cold. 30 is the oil's flow rate after the engine reaches its operating temperature.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SR2K
Can you run it? Yes, you can run with no oil too, doesn't mean its good for it.
Is it reccomended, no, ford engineers specifically designed the engine to run with 5w-20, and anything else is less than ideal. If you were down a quart at a gas station and all they had was 5w-30 then I would run it, but if your changing the oil definatly try to get factory spec'd oil.
Sent from between the spare tire and the evap canister.
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Yes and no my friend. It really depends on the year it was manufactured and also how many miles is on that paticular engine. Like you said Ford makes these engines with extremely tight tolerances, but you also got to keep in mind that they will only recomend "Motorcraft oil" and nothing else when there's alot better quality oils out there.
Last edited by knightmare1015; 08-22-2012 at 01:17 AM.
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08-22-2012, 03:12 AM
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A Damn Proud Maritimer
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 755
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
Consult your owners manual, and apply the information to your climate. In Houston, I would assume you shouldn't have a issue using a 5W30 synthetic, your local Ford store may have a better answer though.
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2010 Ranger XL 2.3L 5 Spd 3.73:1 Bone Stock
2013 Scion FR-S 2.0L/H-4, 6spd, 4.11:1 Fast Enough Stock
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08-22-2012, 05:11 AM
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Tank Diver
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,129
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I go by what the owner's manual says. Fortunately, all three vehicles recommend 5W-30, so I only have to keep one type of oil in stock for them.
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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap
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08-22-2012, 08:05 AM
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Old man driver.
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 14,894
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
5W30 for the SOHC
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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)
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08-22-2012, 08:08 AM
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<<< Husky the High Dog!
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
OP have you read your owners manual?
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08-22-2012, 08:11 AM
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Hunter of Men
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 165
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
Here in Wyoming it gets so cold we regularly run "out of spec" oil, for us 5w20 just won't cut it in -30 or more weather. So during the summer months I run "spec" and in winter I change to what we call a winter oil. Kinda like changing the coolant mixture for winter same principle.
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91 Ranger 4.0L
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ext cab
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sylvania ultras
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08-22-2012, 08:18 AM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 449
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
My manual say 5W20
I just want to try something other than motorcraft lol
Actually are there any difference if i run full synthetic?
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Proud owner of 04 F0rd Ranger EDGE 2WD
Stepside, Single Cab
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08-22-2012, 08:21 AM
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<<< Husky the High Dog!
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,181
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fenderpicks
My manual say 5W20
I just want to try something other than motorcraft lol
Actually are there any difference if i run full synthetic?
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no harm in another brand! and i believe full synthetic is fine - just the weight that count.
i have a feeling that this thread is gonna end badly like some of the other 'oil' threads.
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some say that synthetic 'suspends' dirt and contaminants in the oil better - so that the filter can clean the oil better. but i wouldn't know - never ran synthetic before.
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08-22-2012, 09:16 AM
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89 Ranger 2.9L 4x4 auto
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 286
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SR2K
Can you run it? Yes, you can run with no oil too, doesn't mean its good for it.
Is it reccomended, no, ford engineers specifically designed the engine to run with 5w-20, and anything else is less than ideal. If you were down a quart at a gas station and all they had was 5w-30 then I would run it, but if your changing the oil definatly try to get factory spec'd oil.
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....I immediately thought wait a minute I've been using 5w-30 right along--so I went out and grabbed my Chiltons and looked it up to be sure this is the recommended oil.... And it says, "Ford recommends that SAE 5w-30 viscosity engine oil should be used for all climate conditions, however, SAE 10w-30 is acceptable for vehicles operated in moderate to hot climates." pg 1-35 Chiltons I suggest that you look up the correct oil based on the vehicle and year of the vehicle to be sure you're using the best one for your vehicle and conditions.
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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project
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08-22-2012, 09:44 AM
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Old man driver.
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 14,894
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
as long as the OP uses the recommended 5W20 that the 3.0 engine needs, he'll be fine
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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)
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08-22-2012, 09:52 AM
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Seirra Romeo 2 Kilo
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Join Date: Sep 2011
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Ford changed the reccomended wieghts over the years. My 98 3.0L suggests 5w-30.
Personally I run full synthetic because it wears less. There have been studies which compare the amounts of iron in the oil after a certain number of miles and its less with synthetic. Also I have been told by a Ford mechanic that with conventional oil it should be changed every 3K while with synthetic is can safely go 5K, which is a plus since I'm lazy and don't like changing my oil very often.
Sent from between the spare tire and the evap canister.
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1998 Ranger XLT, Ext Cab - SOLD
1999 F150 XLT, Supercab, Longbed
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08-22-2012, 10:10 AM
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<- That's My Ranger =)
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,092
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Quote:
Originally Posted by machine
as long as the OP uses the recommended 5W20 that the 3.0 engine needs, he'll be fine
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My 98 says 5w30 in the owners manual..
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-Rob
1998 Ford Ranger: 3.0 V6 -- 5-Speed -- 4x4 -- Single Cab -- XLT -- Black -- Check out the build thread for mods..
Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger
Also, if you're driving around in 4wd "because it is winter", you're in an idiot. It should only be engaged in conditions that warrant the extra drive traction. Using 4wd on dry pavement WILL wreck your shit.
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XBLGT: ob269
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08-22-2012, 09:39 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,010
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Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?
the owner's manual is what you should go by if it's a new truck however alot of professional machine shops says otherwise. The one I use to go used Rotella 15W40 diesel oil to break an engine in after a rebuild and so does the current shop I use. Every engine that I've seen that used an oil that had the compound Z.Z.D.P, usually had almost 300K on the engine before needing to be rebuilt. We can thank the tree huggers for this one.
Here's a link that give a really good description about the ZZDP compound and there's also a few questions and answers that might help:
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/pr/2009/09zzdpapril/
Now since the op's ranger is no longer under any warranty I say yes he can run 5W30 and it shouldn't do no harm. The deal with synthetic oil is that it's a chemical based type of oil rather than a petrolium based oil. I did run synthetic for a while and about all I really noticed was a bit smoother idle at best.
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