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Old 05-11-2018, 10:55 PM   #1
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Question: F150 5.0L Engine Oil

I searched the Forest River threads and F-150 forums and I'm still trying to settle on answer.

I recently purchased a used 2015 Ford F150 5.0L very well equiped to tow. Ford recommends using 5w-20 for the 5.0L engine. Old school me thinks that 05w-20 is a little like lubricating the engine with water so I started searching the web both here and on F-150 forums. So far, here's what I've found:

1) OLD school says that Ford recommends 5w-20 to help meet CAFE fuel milage requirements using lighter weight oil. Step up to 5W-30 for better lubrication.

2) NEW school says the 5.0L tolerances are much tighter and that 5w-20 is needed to lubricate tighter engine tolerances.

No where in any of my extensive web searches have I found anyone who qualifies as a Ford power plant engineer with an answer. I have also searched other forums where the 5.0L is used (Mustang) with no definitive answers.

Here's my question.... Ford recommends using 5W-20 engine oil in the 5.0L. But when I'm pulling my camper during high temps up very long - sustained - high mountain passes, wouldn't my 5.0L be better served with 5w-30 instead of 5w-20?

Anyone with similar questions/experiences are welcome....

Rich J.
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Old 05-11-2018, 11:04 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by HangDiver View Post
I searched the Forest River threads and F-150 forums and I'm still trying to settle on answer.

I recently purchased a used 2015 Ford F150 5.0L very well equiped to tow. Ford recommends using 5w-20 for the 5.0L engine. Old school me thinks that 05w-20 is a little like lubricating the engine with water so I started searching the web both here and on F-150 forums. So far, here's what I've found:

1) OLD school says that Ford recommends 5w-20 to help meet CAFE fuel milage requirements using lighter weight oil. Step up to 5W-30 for better lubrication.

2) NEW school says the 5.0L tolerances are much tighter and that 5w-20 is needed to lubricate tighter engine tolerances.

No where in any of my extensive web searches have I found anyone who qualifies as a Ford power plant engineer with an answer. I have also searched other forums where the 5.0L is used (Mustang) with no definitive answers.

Here's my question.... Ford recommends using 5W-20 engine oil in the 5.0L. But when I'm pulling my camper during high temps up very long - sustained - high mountain passes, wouldn't my 5.0L be better served with 5w-30 instead of 5w-20?

Anyone with similar questions/experiences are welcome....

Rich J.
If you have a warranty issue in the future you'd better be able to produce proof of 5-20
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Old 05-11-2018, 11:13 PM   #3
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I'm out of warranty - not worried about that. Now my thinking is longevity.
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Old 05-12-2018, 10:58 AM   #4
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Ford recommends 5-20. These are not old school engines anymore.
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Old 05-12-2018, 11:34 AM   #5
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if your going for longevity id do what the factory recommends and not add your own spin on things. Stick to the same thing each and every time and stay on regular change intervals. And none of it matters if the previous owner never changed it and ran it into the ground prior to your purchase.
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Old 05-12-2018, 12:00 PM   #6
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Use what Ford recommends. The oil life monitor calculates when you tow and will tell you when to change it. Read Fords recommendation again, it should say "synthetic blend" which also helps lubricate. My first change on my 2016 I used full synthetic.


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Old 05-12-2018, 12:54 PM   #7
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Stick with the Ford-recommended oil. These recommendations extend to all motor vehicles today. Engines are very tight tolerance and require a very thorough lubrication and clean lubes, which requires lower viscosity oils. These keep the engine cooler and running better even in high summer temperatures and while towing trailers. Changing the oil frequently prolongs engine life. While counterintuitive, lower viscosity oils are and always have been better for engine life. My college advisor drove a big Buick with a big motor and his mechanic told him to use 0W oil if he could find it. Even 5W was ok. I thought he was crazy. At 520,000 miles, the engine finally required a valve job. When the mechanic pulled the heads, they looked brand new. All of his vehicles received 0W oil. Turns out he wasn't crazy after all.
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Old 05-12-2018, 01:22 PM   #8
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Oil For 5.0 L F 150

I have a 2011 5.0L F 150. It has only been serviced by my Ford dealer. I don't care what they put in it! Its under extended warranty and if it blows, then Ford pays the bill. If its serviced by someone else, then who knows what Ford will do?
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Old 05-12-2018, 01:29 PM   #9
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Thanks everyone for the responses. Obviously I'm over thinking this, which is dangerous in that the truck is smarter than I am. I'll stay with the recommended 5W20 oil.

Still much to learn,
Rich J
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Old 05-12-2018, 01:34 PM   #10
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Extra virgin olive oil
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Old 05-12-2018, 01:53 PM   #11
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Read owners manual
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Old 05-12-2018, 02:04 PM   #12
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I have 3 Fords and use Fords oil Filter and their recommended blend 5w 20 oil. One has 68000 miles, one 120000 miles and the RV with 86000 miles. All are running fine and no oil use to speak of. Rv tows a car trailer with a Classic on board. Most of those miles towing!
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Old 05-12-2018, 02:09 PM   #13
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Follow Ford recommendations.
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Old 05-12-2018, 04:19 PM   #14
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I have a 2014 Ford F150. 5.0L engine. I live in South TX, very warm year round. I take my truck to dealer for oil changes. They have been putting 5W20 synthetic blend. No problems so far and had it since new. I also tow a camping trailer or boat.
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Old 05-12-2018, 04:28 PM   #15
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Never put much stock in Manufacturer reco because it's based on trying to meet MPG specs.
Royal purple 10w30 is all I run in my Gassers.
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Old 05-12-2018, 06:02 PM   #16
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I just retired my 2006 E250 with the 4.6L V8. Bought it new in late 05. The truck was a work truck used every day in my business. It was always full with stock and tools. I drove that truck following Ford's recommendations for 5-20 motor oil and put 265,000 miles on it. I have never had a drive train that worked as well as that one did. Even that day I took it to the junk yard it purred and ran like a top. The body was falling off the frame but the engine ran great. My F150 is still under warrantee and goes to the dealer for care!
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Old 05-12-2018, 06:25 PM   #17
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I had a business in the past and had 4 F150"s running all the time.All had the 5.0 engine. We would put around 200,000 miles on them in a few short years, and then have a new engine installed and ran them for another 150,00 miles. Usually highway miles and not much weight in the trucks. My son thought 5w20 was too light and decided he was going to use 10w30 all the time. At 75,000 miles the front bearing seized up and it cost me an arm and leg to get it repaired. Something about the bearing wasnt getting enough lubrication thru some small ports that the oil went thru. I think you should us 5w20 as the factory recommends.
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Old 05-12-2018, 07:13 PM   #18
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Extra virgin olive oil
Naw, Canola oil. EVO scorches at high temps.
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Old 05-12-2018, 10:50 PM   #19
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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'll stay with the 5w20 oil and will use Fords Motorcraft syn blend as recommended. I've never owned a vehicle as sophisticated as this and I'm just amazed at the technology. The stories and experiences from the replies on this thread has helped alot.

Thank You.
Rich J.
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Old 05-13-2018, 12:53 AM   #20
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I would never use 5w20 in a motor that tows or works hard. The-20 recommendation is only for fuel economy standards and is sacrificing longevity for EPA mandated fuel economy standards.

There are many negative aspects of using 5w20, the most important is that 5W-20 has less film and shear strength than a 5W-30, 10W-30 or a 0W-30 motor oil. This can lead to increased and accelerated engine wear under today's demanding heat and high stress engine operating conditions.

I've had two F150's and I worked them hard. They got 5w40 in the summers and 0w40 in the winters. This is what I'm currently using in ALL of my vehicles except my F350 which gets 5w40 year round.

At the very least, I'd use 10w30 in the summer and 5w30 in the winter in our F150 but nothing thinner. It WILL not hurt a thing.

Ford doesn't care how long your engine will last and I don't trust any company that sacrifices longevity for fuel emissions.

AMSOIL feels the same way, they recommend their 0w30 instead of 5w20.

It is your truck and I hope it lasts longer than your payments on 5w20. BTW, when ford switchd to 5w20 years ago, nothing changed in the engines the first year they called for it. There were NO changes to any of their engine's tolerances when they called for 5w20.
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