Why did Ford change to 5W30 on the 2011?

[First-SHO]

My 2011 SHO is recommending 5W30 full synthetic or blend for my engine oil. Why the change from 5W20?

 

[Unknown_Driver]

does your car say this under the hood?

 

[Billm0066]

Yes my 2011 says 5w30 and has that sticker under the hood.

 

[First-SHO]

Under hood on cap and in manual.

 

[First-SHO]

does your car say this under the hood?

Yes it does say that under the hood.

I guess just California emission cars have to use 5W20?

 

[TACAMO]

I'll say it again....my 2011 California car says 5W-30.

 

[First-SHO]

I'll say it again....my 2011 California car says 5W-30.

That's fine, I am just wondering why they changed the spec from 5w20 in 2010 models to 5w30 for 2011?

 

[Unknown_Driver]

Wonder if there is engine wear issues or what, over fuel economy?

 

[RonPorter]

Probably heat protection with the turbos.

 

[TACAMO]

First SHO- I am too. When this change first came up on another thread my question got summarily dismissed as a California issue. The 2011 owners manual still specifies 5W-20 for the regular engine but not the SHO. Would agree that whatever is driving the change it seems to have something to do with the turbos.

 

[TACAMO]

Thinking about this a little more, can't help but wonder if there is a physical change between the 2010 and 2011 engines (clearances, etc.) or if the change in oil specification is based on Ford failure/problem analysis. If it is the latter, 2010 folks may want to reconsider the oil they are using.

 

[blue92]

It was recommended that my 93 run on 5W30. Maybe ford realized they screwed up by recommending 5W20 because 5W20 is thinner oil than 5W30. I would think running 5W20 could cause the engine to run warmer. And I run 5W30 in my 92 now.

 

[RonPorter]

Thinking about this a little more, can't help but wonder if there is a physical change between the 2010 and 2011 engines (clearances, etc.) or if the change in oil specification is based on Ford failure/problem analysis. If it is the latter, 2010 folks may want to reconsider the oil they are using.

Could be. After some turbo failures, Subaru changed their oil changes recommendations for all turbos from 7,500 to the 3,750 Severe Duty cycle. In happened in 2007 or so, so technically it doesn't apply to my '05, but I now went to that schedule with dino oil (did 7,500 changed with M1 before).

 

[RonPorter]

It was recommended that my 93 run on 5W30. Maybe ford realized they screwed up by recommending 5W20 because 5W20 is thinner oil than 5W30. I would think running 5W20 could cause the engine to run warmer. And I run 5W30 in my 92 now.

It's not thinner at room (cold) temp. That is determined by the 5W. The upper number is it's viscosity at some higher temp. 5w-20 has been recommended by Fords and others for the n/a engines for a few years now. IIRC, running a different oil in Chrysler Hemis with the cylinder cutout can cause that system to not operate properly.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I asked about this issue with my tuner a while back. He told me to stick with what Ford recommended for 2010 EB Brick.

Any other opinions on this????

 

[Billm0066]

For me I am using what is on the oil cap. If they changed it they must have a reason for it.

 

[First-SHO]

For me I am using what is on the oil cap. If they changed it they must have a reason for it.

Agreed and I am doing the same thing.

I will be switching to full synthetic at 10,000 on my 2011 as the manual say's ok to do.

 

[RonPorter]

For me I am using what is on the oil cap. If they changed it they must have a reason for it.

The "710" stuff??

 

[TACAMO]

I would have hoped that the original question here would have been answered....seems like we have danced all around it. It has been the impression from other posts on this site that there are folks on this forum who have access to Ford engineering types who could answer "why did they change the oil viscosity recommendation from 2010 to 2011".

 

[RonPorter]

I would have hoped that the original question here would have been answered....seems like we have danced all around it. It has been the impression from other posts on this site that there are folks on this forum who have access to Ford engineering types who could answer "why did they change the oil viscosity recommendation from 2010 to 2011".

$1 says they willl never tell you.