Do we really need 5w50?

[activeGT]

I get the 50w but 5w in south Florida or any place scorching hot. What's the point? I know what the book says. Just throwing it out there.

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[honeybadger]

I run 15W-50 in the race car. 15 would probably be fine in an area like FL. But not sure the reason NOT to use 5w?

 

[TheDeadCow]

By all means, don't listen to the people who designed the car. I'm sure random people on the internet know better.

 

[galaxy]

I get the 50w but 5w in south Florida or any place scorching hot. What's the point? I know what the book says. Just throwing it out there.

I’ll make a careful assumption since you put the W by your numbers that you think the W means weight. It does not. The W is for winter, and in simple terms, represents the flow characteristics of the oil in cold starting conditions. If you live in a hot climate, such as FL, it practically doesn’t make much difference, if any at all. At 100° ambient outside temp, cold starts are not an issue and wether you have a 5W or a 15W is irrelevant. Don’t get too hung up on it and don’t try to outthink what was spec’d for the engine.

 

[nastang87xx]

Just use 5w50. Don't over think things. I've used 5w50 on track and in 40 degree weather. Never any issues.

 

[WildHorse]

Yeah.. why listen to ford engineers... cue the internet engineers in 3..2..

 

[activeGT]

I’ll make a careful assumption since you put the W by your numbers that you think the W means weight. It does not. The W is for winter, and in simple terms, represents the flow characteristics of the oil in cold starting conditions. If you live in a hot climate, such as FL, it practically doesn’t make much difference, if any at all. At 100° ambient outside temp, cold starts are not an issue and wether you have a 5W or a 15W is irrelevant. Don’t get too hung up on it and don’t try to outthink what was spec’d for the engine.

Yes, and my winter is 70 degrees. I have cases of 15w50 for the racing engines in the boats. Hence the question.

 

[activeGT]

Yeah.. why listen to ford engineers... cue the internet engineers in 3..2..

Canada. Needs 5w.

 

[activeGT]

Just use 5w50. Don't over think things. I've used 5w50 on track and in 40 degree weather. Never any issues.

Wisconsin. Needs 5w.

 

[activeGT]

By all means, don't listen to the people who designed the car. I'm sure random people on the internet know better.

Arizona. Needs more border patrol.

 

[galaxy]

Yes, and my winter is 70 degrees. I have cases of 15w50 for the racing engines in the boats. Hence the question.

So as far as your engine is concerned, the W number means very little. The only question you have left is can you emotionally handle using an oil that doesn’t meet the spec for your engine.

 

[activeGT]

So as far as your engine is concerned, the W number means very little. The only question you have left is can you emotionally handle using an oil that doesn’t meet the spec for your engine.

Honestly, yes. My therapist said I will be all right.

But the spec isn’t region specific is it?

 

[galaxy]

But the spec isn’t region specific is it?

Uuuuummmmm, no, it is not. Was that a real question?

 

[imbadatthis]

Sheesh.

 

[Tomster]

These oil threads never go well.....

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