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  #1  
Old 08-21-2012, 09:49 PM
fenderpicks fenderpicks is offline
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Default 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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  #2  
Old 08-21-2012, 10:28 PM
SR2K SR2K is offline
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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?
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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  #3  
Old 08-22-2012, 01:15 AM
knightmare1015 knightmare1015 is offline
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Default Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fenderpicks View Post
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?
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 View Post
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.
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.
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Last edited by knightmare1015; 08-22-2012 at 01:17 AM.
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  #4  
Old 08-22-2012, 03:12 AM
Maritime Storm Maritime Storm is offline
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Default 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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  #5  
Old 08-22-2012, 05:11 AM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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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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  #6  
Old 08-22-2012, 08:05 AM
TerrenceStuart TerrenceStuart is offline
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Default Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?

5W30 for the SOHC
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  #7  
Old 08-22-2012, 08:08 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?

OP have you read your owners manual?
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  #8  
Old 08-22-2012, 08:11 AM
19Delta 19Delta is offline
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Default 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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  #9  
Old 08-22-2012, 08:18 AM
fenderpicks fenderpicks is offline
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Default 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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  #10  
Old 08-22-2012, 08:21 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fenderpicks View Post
My manual say 5W20
I just want to try something other than motorcraft lol

Actually are there any difference if i run full synthetic?
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.

----------

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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  #11  
Old 08-22-2012, 09:16 AM
Lou 1 Lou 1 is offline
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Default Re: Can i run 5W 30 Oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SR2K View Post
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.
....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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  #12  
Old 08-22-2012, 09:44 AM
TerrenceStuart TerrenceStuart is offline
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Default 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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  #13  
Old 08-22-2012, 09:52 AM
SR2K SR2K is offline
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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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  #14  
Old 08-22-2012, 10:10 AM
ob269 ob269 is offline
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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
My 98 says 5w30 in the owners manual..
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger View Post
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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  #15  
Old 08-22-2012, 09:39 PM
knightmare1015 knightmare1015 is offline
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Default 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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