My wife did not find this very interesting - maybe you guys do. I need to
get Rhonda and Roadsters separated on my mail list!
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: Hall, Phillip
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 11:51 AM
To: Roadsters (E-mail 2); Rhonda (E-mail)
Subject: OT engine oil and Ford
Hey listers - a little OT for the day.
Ford will begin shipping most new cars out starting in 2001 model year with
5W- 20 in the crank case - according to Lube's N Greases magazine. The
exceptions will be the 5.0L vehicles, 4.0 SUV's and 2.5L Ranger. The move
is to lower fuel mileage an average of 0.6 percent for their fleet. The
engineers say they are not worried about durability. GM comments they will
not make this change because of durability issues that need worked out -
more testing.
Problems: The supply of 5W-20 is very limited now, so finding oil will be a
problem for while. In my opinion - I would be worried about durability.
The oil is thin and made from mineral base stock the viscosity will fall
like a rock at high temps. The additive package will have to be VERY well
engineered. In the beginning the oil companies will make formulations in a
hurry and may not get the additive packages right for a while - not enough
time for the "right" research. The new oils will meet the GF-3
classification, but that is only part of the story. The best research is
fleet vehicle testing and that takes a year or so.
In time this is a good move, but expect a lot of teething problems.
(remember the problems with 10W-40 when it was released). If you get a new
Ford, after break-in I would try and find a synthetic oil ASAP. Or as the
article said - you can use 10W-30 until 5W-20 is available. Put in 10W-30
synthetic until 5W-20 is out. As a side - Mobil 1 has a 0W-30, but as not
released it for fear of public reaction to the "zero" rating.
Happy Roadstering!
Phil
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