For those of us using Mobil 1 5W-30 . . . [Archive]

studio460

07-14-2003, 02:11 AM

I visited the Mobil 1 website and checked oil recommendations for both the 2002 Mustang Cobra, and a 2002 Grand Marquis (they didn't have a 2003 Marauder in their database). Here's what they said:

"[The recommended oil for your car is] 5W-20. All temps. Although this viscosity is not available in Mobil 1®, you can use Mobil 1® with SuperSyn™ 0W-20 with confidence. 5W-20 is available in Mobil Drive Clean Oil™. It is always wise to check with your vehicle's manufacturer for viscosity grade recommendations." --Mobil 1 website.

As I seem to be going to redline and beyond quite often (with stock EEC programming), I'm getting a bit more concerned about my choice of Mobil 1 5W-30 weight oil. Not sure about going with a 0W-20 either, as Mobil appears to recommend instead. Thinking of maybe going back to the factory-fill Motorcraft 5W-20 blend. Are we SURE the 5W-20 was specified by Ford for CAFE reasons alone? Sorry to all for bringing up this debate, YET AGAIN!

prchrman

07-14-2003, 04:16 AM

My .02 worth...my service manager said that the 4.6 with the distance the oil has to travel with overhead cams will not drain back fast enough with the higher viscosity oil and would suck the oil pan dry...he informed me that they would not honor the warranty if I used anything but the recommended 5W-20 for this reason...he said that he had saw problems with the thicker oil...recommended oil is a syn blend and with regular changes I believe it is the best way to go all around town...IMHO...I have used Mobil 1 in all my cars until this one but have not found it in 5W-20...

BillyGman

07-14-2003, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by prchrman
...he informed me that they would not honor the warranty if I used anything but the recommended 5W-20 for this reason.....

I agree that the recommended oil should be used, and that's why I'm staying w/the Motorcraft 5W20 oil. But even if you did use another type of oil, then how would they void the waurantee unless you told them about your choice of oil? I don't see anyway the dealer is gonna know what oil was in there. Correct me on that if I'm missing something.....

MAD-3R

07-14-2003, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by prchrman
he informed me that they would not honor the warranty if I used anything but the recommended 5W-20 for this reason...

He can't do that.

SergntMac

07-14-2003, 05:02 AM

Playing around the red line makes me think too, and I have a few reasons why I stick with the Dealer, and the dealer blend.

It's cheaper, and I tend to change oil frequently, like every 2K miles, because I like clean oil, and every so often I send a sample for testing. Cost 15 bucks to see that I don't have any bad going on inside the pan. Twice a year, maybe 3X when I'm pushing things hard.

These DOHC engines love oil up on top, lot's of it. Like it's been said, the 5W20 travels better.

The oil system is also part of the cooling plan on these engines, and though I cannot prove it, I believe that the 5W20 dealer blend also transfers heat better than heavier blends.

If you have an engine problem, first question you'll get asked by any SM is about oil changes, weights, blends, and so on. Getting my oil changed at the dealer is not only cheaper than off the shelf or the lube monkeys, the dealer has the records they would want....IMHO.

RF Overlord

07-14-2003, 05:44 AM

In one of the Trilogy posts, Steve Babcock was quoted as saying he likes Mobil 1 5W-30 in the Marauder??? :confused:

WolfeBros

07-14-2003, 08:43 AM

I changed to Mobil 1 5w30 at 3K miles.
I changed back to Motorcraft 5W20 at 4.8K miles and let the dealer do the change so it was documented. After reading some of the problems and concerns that came up I decided that Mac is right. Its the oil the factory recommends, I change often anyway, why not let them do the changes and that is one less thing I have to worry about if things ever go wrong. It is damn cheap insurance.

Now as a motorhead for the past 35 years or so. I still don't like 5W20 but that being said FoMoCo doesnt want to change engines under warranty any more than I do.

mdmarauder

07-14-2003, 08:57 AM

I too started with the first oil change 5w-30 Mobil-1. After hearing the stories and talking to my sm I decided to go with the 5w-20 blend. It's cheaper and it's recommended.

Fourth Horseman

07-14-2003, 08:59 AM

You guys hearing any noise coming from the top of the engine? I don't. It's lubing just fine.

Keep in mind that the synthetic oils are rather 'thin' compared to regular dino-oils. I'm sticking with the Mobil 1 5w30. If Mobil came out with a 5w20 I might switch, but I really don't see the need. That's just my $0.02.

MitchB

07-14-2003, 09:23 AM

I'll be the test case. I use Mobil I 10/30 in the summer, 5/30 in the winter. I'd bet the higher viscosity Mobil I has better pumpability and flow (drain, if that really concerns you) than Ford's specified 5/20 blend. 6000 miles, no start-up ticks, knocks, the engine is silent.

Mitch

WolfeBros

07-14-2003, 10:45 AM

I think some are missing the intended point. I am sure what you are using is fine. I was sure what I was using was fine. It is a matter of the hassle you may or may not get with a denied warranty claim with a 'by the numbers' service manager. Only you can decide if it is worth the risk. You don't need to convince anyone here what you are doing is right. If it is right for you and you can pony up 10 large for a motor change do it. This is true with all the mods. When someone from LM tells me its ok......I will go back to the 5W30 but for now it is not worth it. Cuz if the engine blows because of that thin crap they make us put in it........its their 10 large not mine. JMO and as usual I could be wrong. :D

Fourth Horseman

07-14-2003, 10:53 AM

Does your vehicle's manual say that 5w20 is required ? Mine doesn't. I'll fight them on that point to the bitter end.

WolfeBros

07-14-2003, 11:06 AM

Nope. Mine doesn't say it is required either.
Go for it. I am on your side.

prchrman

07-14-2003, 11:11 AM

Forth...I believe that Mobil is the best going...its just the plain fact that I had just enough $ to buy the MM but not enough to support my fiendly local lawyer even to fight a jay walking ticket(kid in college and a wife who loves shoes) so for 72,000 miles or 6 years I will choose to use what FOMOCO puts forth in their lit...I'm with you on Mobil being the way to go...wish they made a 5W-20 for sure...It is in all my rides except the MM...In the long run your motor could last longer because of the better lubing properties of the full syn...:confused:...over time we will find out and some will be sorry or hopefully all the oils we are using are going to do the job...I'm agreeing, I think, with everyone...boy that's getting toooo PC...willie

Zack

07-14-2003, 11:51 AM

I dont believe there should be any concern regarding Mobil-1 Synthetic. Tolerances inside engines havent changed over the years. There will always be .001 to .002 clearance in a cylinder wall. There will always be .0001 to.003 clearance on main bearings. The 4.6l takes 5 1/2 quarts of oil and redlines at only 6000 rpms. There will NEVER be a lack of oil in the bottom of the pan unless you take a corner at 100+ mph. Cars used 10w-30 for decades without a problem. Next time you all start your lawnmower thats been running longer than your grandma has been alive, be sure to thank the same oil you probably use in your car, (although the manufacturer does not recommend it) for keeping the engine running so good.

Crown Vic

07-14-2003, 01:39 PM

I think my manual says 5w20 is "RECOMMENDED".

I've been using Mobil 1 5w30 since the car has 1000 miles on it. I'm running close to 26k no and the car still purrrs...:D

prchrman

07-14-2003, 02:01 PM

OK guys here's the skinny on this question from Anita's mouth (after waiting for 10 minutes) at the official Mercury warranty question line-800-392-3673 from their site...I asked her about using oil at a different viscosity than what is recommended and she took a few minutes to pull up the data and replied "if engine failure occurs and customer is using any oil other than specified recommended oil, warranty will be voided, and if I had further questions to call my dealership service representive and he would give me the technical details...like I said this is from Mercury's warranty hot line...so that is what the people that make the car and have the warranty had to say...this is just FYI...willie

tomd

07-14-2003, 02:08 PM

Last time we had this discussion (about oil) I was going to switch to 5W 30 but Jiffy Lube wouldn't put in 5W 30 because the cap reads 5W 20, so am sticking with the 5W 20.
It may be Jiffy wouldn’t put in the 5W 30 because it’s (Jiffy Lube) now offering an extended warranty if you chance your oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
:D

schuvwj

07-14-2003, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by prchrman
OK guys here's the skinny on this question from Anita's mouth (after waiting for 10 minutes) at the official Mercury warranty question line-800-392-3673 from their site...I asked her about using oil at a different viscosity than what is recommended and she took a few minutes to pull up the data and replied "if engine failure occurs and customer is using any oil other than specified recommended oil, warranty will be voided, and if I had further questions to call my dealership service representive and he would give me the technical details...like I said this is from Mercury's warranty hot line...so that is what the people that make the car and have the warranty had to say...this is just FYI...willie

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5-20wt USE IT!

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 03:40 PM

Well this thread is kind of annoying here.....mainly because I have been a diehard user of Mobil 1 for years.....10 at least.....There seems to be a couple of conflicting issues here that are bothering me a bit....

What is the point of the thread? Is it protecting the engine or insuring that the Warranty is intact? Or both?

- If you did any mods to the engine (like me) chip, stat and stuff...the warranty will probably be voided or they will have plenty of ammo to do so.....It is not like they give you credit for 5W-20 and it erases your supercharger... ;)

- If you are really concerned with the warranty then use the 5W-20 Blend from the dealer and don't mod and you are covered.

- For both...I am not sure....It gets pretty dang hot down here and the 30 seems to work well.....my engine is running really well.....

- Why doesn't someone make the damn synthetic in the 5W-20? It was a little stupid of Ford to use an oil so limited in access....I used 10W30 in my F150 with a 4.6 for 5 years and it was great....

Well bring on the

:flamer:

Dr Caleb

07-14-2003, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Marauder57

- Why doesn't someone make the damn synthetic in the 5W-20?

Hmmmm. Interesting. I had not actually heard there was a 5W-20 until I bought this car.

And even if I go to a Jiffy lube, the only brand of 5W-20 I can get is Motorcraft.

/devils advocate mode/ Perhaps that is the reason why no one yet has 5w-20, Ford uses an 'oddball' type of oil, requires it for warranty purposes and is the only supplier of the oil. It might just be too 'oddball' for the big companies to bother with such a low usage grade of oil... /devils advocate mode/

I would prefer to use a synthetic or blended synth 5W-20 as well, but there aint no such beast! I haven't even found a Quaker State in that formulation - the ones that guarantee/warantee high milage if you use them - in a 5W-20.

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 04:00 PM

/devils advocate mode/ Perhaps that is the reason why no one yet has 5w-20, Ford uses an 'oddball' type of oil, requires it for warranty purposes and is the only supplier of the oil. It might just be too 'oddball' for the big companies to bother with such a low usage grade of oil... /devils advocate mode/

Hmmm....There is no FORD/MotorCraft Oil Cabal...... :coolman:

WolfeBros

07-14-2003, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by Dr Caleb
I would prefer to use a synthetic or blended synth 5W-20 as well, but there aint no such beast!

Dr. the Motorcraft 5W-20 is a blended synthetic.

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 05:03 PM

TaDa....leave it to experience....I just got a message back from Dennis.....AMSOIL makes a 5W20 full Synthetic.....I have heard good things about AMSOIL for years....but never tried it.....Maybe it is time..... :confused:

gja

07-14-2003, 05:04 PM

You folks need more info.
Here it is...
Royal Purple and Amsoil BOTH have 5w-20 and they are BOTH as good or better than Mobil1 and ANYTHING FoMoCo has.
I will be using Amsoil as I have used t for many years in my cars and motorcycles (including some VERY highly moded 2-stroke motocrossers).
I have found either of these oils to be extremely high quality and they have proven themselves in countless race cars.www.royalpurple.com (http://www.royalpurple.com)
www.amsoil.com (http://www.amsoil.com)

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 05:06 PM

Gja....You are correct sir.....here is the AMSOIL Link....http://www.amsoil.com/products/xl7500.html (AMSOIL 5W20)

Just looked this up....for use with the 5W20 Oil. Oil Filter SDF11. Fuel Filter: GF326. Transmission Filter TF128. All Specific Marauder parts listed in their catalog on line....

RF Overlord

07-14-2003, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Fourth Horseman
Does your vehicle's manual say that 5w20 is required ? Mine doesn't. I'll fight them on that point to the bitter end.

I agree with Fourth. The manual says "recommended"...if 5W-20 was required for warranty qualification, then why doesn't the frickken manual SAY "required".... :rolleyes:

Jeff

07-14-2003, 06:06 PM

In my experience the Mobil 1 tastes better but the Motorcraft is less filling. :lol:

JohnnyB

07-14-2003, 06:15 PM

I'm using the Motorcraft 5W-20. Did the first change at 900 miles and will keep doing so at 2,000 to 2,500 mile intervals. Keeping Clean oil is the best thing you can do for your engine and I believe the regular 2K-2.5K intervals outweigh the benefit/extra cost of a synthetic oil.

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 06:16 PM

TASTE GREAT!!!

Jeff

07-14-2003, 06:17 PM

Less Filling!!!

gja

07-14-2003, 06:24 PM

Uh, I do a 3K change AND use synthetic. I intend on keeping this car a LOOOONG time.

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by gja
Uh, I do a 3K change AND use synthetic. I intend on keeping this car a LOOOONG time.

I think I will end up doing something similar.....I intend on keeping it until I have kids...and then we he asks to take it out for a spin..... HECK NO!!! That is Daddy's car now get out there and wax it...... :nono:

TripleTransAm

07-14-2003, 06:39 PM

Just a data point to consider...

Ford doesn't sell a 5W-20 synthetic blend in Canada. I've looked everywhere, and I've had several different dealers doing searches for me, just to make sure I didn't end up with a lazy counter person giving me a fake story. All we can get up here is the straight dino 5W20 "premium", whatever the hell that means.

So... looking at my manual (the same manual that you all have, I'm sure), it states the recommended fill is the Ford 5W20 synthetic blend, right? (even has a picture of the bottle, if I remember correctly).

So, based on this and what "Anita" had to say, I'm pretty much "$#!t out of luck" when it comes to warranty, since there's no chance in heck I can get my hands on a Ford 5W20 synthetic blend! Would y'all agree with this? Should I start legal proceedings right away, since it seems my warranty was revoked even before I took possession of my automobile?

Marauder57

07-14-2003, 06:41 PM

Man TTA and you did not even get a kiss! Can you get AMSOIL up there or the Purple Stuff?

gja

07-14-2003, 06:45 PM

Steve,
Just order a case of either brand I listed and make the DEALER use it for only the labor charge and filter. That's what I do. A few bucks more than normal, but they know how seriously I take the cars upkeep and treat me/car accordingly.

P.S. ran with a nice Firehawk on my way to a weekly hotrod meet and we had BIG fun busting ricers all the way there...

jgc61sr2002

07-14-2003, 07:04 PM

I was going to use Mobil 1 5 W 30. After a discussion with a friend who is a Ford SM I decided to use the Motorcraft 5 W 20 Syntheic Blend and had a LM dealer change it at 1,200 miles. You can argue recommeded all you want but if there is a problem you are holding the bag.:(

TripleTransAm

07-14-2003, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by gja
Steve,
Just order a case of either brand I listed and make the DEALER use it for only the labor charge and filter. That's what I do. A few bucks more than normal, but they know how seriously I take the cars upkeep and treat me/car accordingly.

Agreed. But my point was that Ford of Canada sold me a car that can never be warranteed, based on what "Anita" and the manual state... I simply CANNOT walk into a Ford dealership up here and comply fully with what's listed in the manual. My point is that the validity of their 'recommendations' is put into question.

Honestly, I really won't lose much sleep over what oil someone decides to use, I just wanted to try and put things into perspective.

I asked this a while ago: have there been any reported 4.6l DOHC failures in previous years when 5W30 was the factory fill, due to oil starvation or other related reasons?

Edit: and isn't Royal Purple or Amsoil a little more expensive than the Ford synthetic blend? Can I get Ford of Canada to pay for the difference (including shipping) since I am technically FORCED to order this exotic stuff since otherwise I'll be left with NO warranty whatsoever?

thetopcat

07-14-2003, 09:11 PM

Hello,

I have been reading the forums and although I do not have a Marauder I do have a Mustang Mach1wich shares the same engine. I use Amsoil 5w20 full synthetic oil and it has made a difference in performance. I picked up .2 tenths in the 1/4 just by switching oil. Many of my friends have had the same results. I do not want this to sound like a sales pitch, but I liked Amsoil so I became a dealer.

:)

SergntMac

07-14-2003, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by thetopcat
Hello, I have been reading the forums and although I do not have a Marauder I do have a Mustang Mach1 which shares the same engine. I use Amsoil 5w20 full synthetic oil and it has made a difference in performance. I picked up .2 tenths in the 1/4 just by switching oil. Many of my friends have had the same results. I do not want this to sound like a sales pitch, but I liked Amsoil so I became a dealer.

Hey, thanks for stopping by with this 411, thetopcat, but I just can't buy your story.

Realistically speaking, "tenths" cost money, ask any real time race car driver, or, builder. Ask someone who puts food on their table, buys clothes and educations for their kids by racing, or, building, race cars.

Pick any car, I mean really ANY car, and run it down the 1320 3x, and determine your best baseline time, K?

Now...There are things you can do to this "any" car to reduce your 1320 times and increase your 1320 miles per hour.

The big things will be obvious, cut full seconds off that base line time real fast, and real easy. Rather cheaply too. But, after a while at this, your mods will grow to be more expensive, while the results grow more modest, and the cut in time time will follow in step...Modest. Comes a time when you're searching for, and begging for the hope to slice hundreths, and you'll be willing to spend hundreds to get them hundreths too. Been here, done this...

Be honest now...IF Amsoil 5W20 could really deliver us MM owners a "2 tenths" cut in our ET, and still meet LM's "recommendation" for 5W20 engine oil...LOL...Amsoil would be #1 in the Reinhart Stage I package. We all would have heard about this a long time ago, and I would be buying Amsoil by the drum, by now.

Someone open a window...pull ease.

Before y'all flame me, I'm not dissin any Amsoil product, or, 5W20 anything. I just can't believe a "2 tenths" slice from an ET could have been such a well kept secret for so long...From someone who doesn't want this news to sound like a sales pitch, but liked it so much he just became a dealer...Right.

LincMercLover

07-14-2003, 11:09 PM

Are you a vendor...? NO...

Macon Marauder

07-15-2003, 05:02 AM

Hey Steve (TTA);

Aint' y'all got any Wal-Marts in the great white north? Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5w-20 is $1.77 a quart at Wally World down here...

Crown Vic

07-15-2003, 05:07 AM

http://www.performanceoiltechnology.c om/ford5w20.htm

Some info about 5w-20 and how a dealer can't deny warranty if you use it and engine has problems. Also talks about the "Federal Magnusson Moss Act"

cyclone03

07-15-2003, 06:26 AM

If Amsoil cuts two tenths off the Quarter then I got one seriously slow Marauder!
I've run Amsoil from the first oil change and the best I've ever run STOCK is 15.36!!!!
It's a good product,but I don't think putting the thinnest RACING oil in all positions,engine,trans,rearend ,powersteering,a/c compressure,and coolent,would give TWO TENTHS in the qaurter!

BTW there are racing grade,horse power type oils out there but you don't want to heat then up then let them cool and repeat.They have nothing in them to make them last longer than a day,most absorb water like crazzy.

Fourth Horseman

07-15-2003, 10:12 AM

scherermaddness

07-15-2003, 10:43 AM

well personally, why should the dealership know what type of oil you are using? just don't get it changed there, do what ever the heck you want, and if there is a really serious problem, order the 5w-20, pay a lil more, and then change the oil that they will never know.... now I do not know much about cars... but dosen't this make at least logical sense?

jgc61sr2002

07-15-2003, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by Fourth Horseman
Well if I ever have this trouble I'll see them in court. Voiding a customer's warranty because they're using a SUPERIOR oil?

Sounds to me like more attempts to balk on their warranty responsibilities. How's that cost-cutting program going, Ford? Pissed off the last of your customers yet? :shake: Fourth Horseman - FMC doesn't care if you take them to court, the have a large bank of attorneys on retainer. They will do anything they can to void a warranty. It would by costly and time is on their side. IMHO.:(

tomd

07-15-2003, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by scherermaddness
and if there is a really serious problem, order the 5w-20, pay a lil more, and then change the oil that they will never know....

They will if you break down on the road and it's towed to your LM dealer.

prchrman

07-15-2003, 01:33 PM

Use what you want to...it's your money and car...lots of good info on this site...eat the meat and spit out the bones...but this horse is dead IMHO...and that's all the more I am going to say about that...:uzi:

TAF

07-15-2003, 01:43 PM

AHHH...come on Willie...let's keep this going.:puke:

WolfeBros

07-15-2003, 02:02 PM

Right on Brother Willie !
Everytime this poor horse gets up we beat him down again.
I thought he was beat to death three or four oil threads ago.
:lol:

Marauder57

07-15-2003, 02:36 PM

Well if I may just give the horse one shot with the paddles.....I just called the Magic Mechanic.....this guy does a radio show here and is well known in Central Florida for cars and stuff....He sells and installs AMSOIL.....So I called about the 5W-20.....and the guy said....I would not put that in your car....too thin....the only reason that Ford put the oil in there in that spec is to make the emmissions come out better.....

So he suggested 0W-30....I looked at the information posted on the corporate website...
AMSOIL 0W-30 Oil (http://www.amsoil.com/products/tso.html)

Sounds interesting....

cyclone03

07-15-2003, 02:51 PM

Funney I heard it was milage.CAFE.

Oil threads will go on forever,you should hear the Ducati guys get up in arms over oil.

Mikeenh

07-15-2003, 04:36 PM

Several OTHER threads ago when this item was hot, I bought a CD on oil. Very interesting. I'll never use an additive again. Here is the link if anyone is intersted. http://www.motoroilbible.com/[/URL]
I'll be sticking with my 5-30 Mobile 1 and a "PREMIUM" filter [url]

Crazieboutamerc

07-15-2003, 06:33 PM

I read that Ford or any other manufacturer cannot legaly void the warrenty on any vehicle that did not use there recommended oil( Ford and there 5w20.)
5w20 is used by Ford to get 1 or 2 more MPG out of there cars nothing else. For me it is Too thin to adiquatly(sp) protect a high performance motor like the MM.

Tim

uwsacf

07-15-2003, 07:28 PM

FMC can't void your warranty because of the brand of oil...

But they may have a leg to stand on in regards to the weight...

If you put in 50w.... it would cause a problem and justify their argument....

btw

Amsoil 3000 0-30w since 1000 miles....

Much better wear protection than standard or 7500 Amsoil or Mobil-1 - is why I use it...

Down here in Florida, it is too hot for 5w20 in a synthetic - too thin - IMHO....

I will chance the warranty debate instead of a debate on why the darn thing broke to begin with....

Argument usually begins with:

FMC "You were racing - warranty voided"
Me: "No I was not racing - are you blind, it is a large car and I am old"
FMC: "Were too!!!"
Me: "Was not!!"

ad infinitum.......