When did Ford change oil recommendations?

[Pete'sMH]

EVERYthing I've read and heard - and my Ford dealer service writer - says to use 5w20 oil in the E450 6.8 V10. But my 2017 owners manual AND the oil filler cap under the hood specify 5w30. I told the service writer and he said to follow the manual but he clearly didn't believe me! So I guess I'll use 5w30 Mobil 1 at my first oil change. Which probably won't be until about 5000 miles when we get back from a 4000mile trip west.

[Oneilkeys]

My 2015 6.8L manual says 5w20 (synthetic blend) and so does the oil cap. It supposedly gives a little better gas mileage than the 5W30. Interestingly, the Canadian specs call for Super premium oil while the US specs call for the synthetic blend. It also calls for oil changes every 7500 miles, although I have been changing mine at 5000.

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

EVERYthing I've read and heard - and my Ford dealer service writer - says to use 5w20 oil in the E450 6.8 V10. But my 2017 owners manual AND the oil filler cap under the hood specify 5w30. I told the service writer and he said to follow the manual but he clearly didn't believe me! So I guess I'll use 5w30 Mobil 1 at my first oil change. Which probably won't be until about 5000 miles when we get back from a 4000mile trip west.

Our '16 Ford manual and oil filler cap also says 5-30. I buy the five quart jug of Mobil 1 at WalMart along with a single quart for the 6 qt capacity.

[rick kirby]

wonder if we can use the Rotella T6 synthetic diesel oil ?... it's been great in my pickup.

[kannon]

Originally Posted by rick kirby

wonder if we can use the Rotella T6 synthetic diesel oil ?... it's been great in my pickup.

that's 15W40

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by rick kirby

wonder if we can use the Rotella T6 synthetic diesel oil ?... it's been great in my pickup.

Is your truck diesel?

[samven]

I believe that Shell Rotella now has a T6 Full syn 5w30 All Vehicle, I have been using the Rotella 5w40 T6 in my Dodge 5.7l for years but I think they are making some changes to it to meet new Diesel requirements and it is loosing its SN rating, although it is still JASO MA rated for wet clutch motorcycles which to my knowledge are all gas engines, so it may just be the regulations that are changing and not the oil.

[captmetal]

for years on my heavy tow vehicles i have used 10w-40 regularly except if i go out west in hot weather i upgrade to 20w-50

[axis earl]

Some of the discussions regarding using oil weights that are not recommended by the manufacturer would be of concern to me. In the "old" days, I think you could choose oil weights according to your personal preferences and not much would matter other than possibly fuel mileage. Today, with the costs of engine replacements, warranties, etc., I would be hesitant.... no, I just would not ignore the recommendations of Ford and what is marked on the filler cap. As far as synthetic, syn blends, etc., I say if you can spend the extra money, do it. Keep good records and oil change intervals as recommended. I have noticed that oil weights I used to purchase years ago are no longer carried at many retail outlets which is a clue.

[Joe-FL]

I'm with axis earl on this one. I am going by exactly what my manual states for engine oil, even though I may change it just under the recommended interval by a new hundred miles. The days of changing oil every 3,000 miles is certainly gone but on the other hand I don't want to use a different oil than Ford recommends in my owner's manual and have an issue with them down the road.

[JamieGeek]

I think the first point of this thread was that the owners manual and the filler cap had different weights on them. This would mean BOTH are manufacturer recommended.

Since we are seasonal campers I simply change the oil before putting it away for the winter. I'm sure this is far sooner than 7500 miles as we're just starting our 4th season with the camper and it only has 10,000 miles on it.

[Hudsoner]

My son is a master mechanic at the largest Ford dealer in the state. He sees a lot of different engines coming through, and from what he sees, he decided that my motorhome will get an oil change every 5000 miles and he insists on using 5W-30 fully synthetic oil for these oil changes.

[gentilebrian]

Unless the motor is getting old stick with what it calls for. My 2016 calls for 5w30. My first oil change at 3,000miles I did regular oil and at 6,000 I did mobile 1. Reason being is I wanted the motor to get properly broken in before I went full synthetic.

My plan is every 5,000 or 6 months.

[scrubjaysnest]

Ours calls for 5W30, both the cap and the book. Since we have such hot weather here in FL I'll stick with 10W30. Picked up 6 qts today in fact.

[axis earl]

Motor Oil Viscosity Grades Explained in Layman's Terms This link gives a long winded explanation on oil weights and operating temps along with what the "W" means as far as start-up, cold weather operating and what it means for engine wear.

[churd9]

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

Ours calls for 5W30, both the cap and the book. Since we have such hot weather here in FL I'll stick with 10W30. Picked up 6 qts today in fact.

Most engine wear occurs on start up that's why they went to 5w oil the newer engines start up so fast the oil needs to flow quicker .. my f150 uses 0w20 ....even at 45 degrees you can tell the difference

[luke2261thor]

They have both 5W30 and 5W20 listed as recommended......

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...userMarket=USA

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by rick kirby

wonder if we can use the Rotella T6 synthetic diesel oil ?... it's been great in my pickup.

NO!!!! Different detergents & other additives. If it's a diesel, yes!

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

EVERYthing I've read and heard - and my Ford dealer service writer - says to use 5w20 oil in the E450 6.8 V10. But my 2017 owners manual AND the oil filler cap under the hood specify 5w30. I told the service writer and he said to follow the manual but he clearly didn't believe me! So I guess I'll use 5w30 Mobil 1 at my first oil change. Which probably won't be until about 5000 miles when we get back from a 4000mile trip west.

Look,at it this way, unlike the others on here you have a choice & warranty covered in writing either way. If you're where the weather is cold mostly use the 5w20, if its usually warm use the 5w30, replace the filter each time & go enjoy your rv.
To me this is tomatoe-tomato, if you change oil/filter at recommended intervals with good quality oil you shouldn't ever have an oil related engine failure.