Oil recommendation query

[Barry]

I live in Australia and own a FN 2018 5.0 ltr GT Mustang, 10 speed auto transmission. I note on the oil filler cap on the engine that it states using SAE 5w - 20 oil, but the Australian Ford produced "Customer Assistance, Warranty and Service Guide" recommends SAE 5w - 30 oil that meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C913-D. i mentioned this anomaly to my local Ford dealer, which created some confusion there as well. I have added about a liter oil to the engine since new and used 5w - 20 grade, assuming this would be the grade added at the factory when manufactured. The car has now travelled about 8000 kilometres since new. Not sure if oil grades should vary between different countries? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

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[nick20s]

Watch these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-cQ6T4N6tC0VrkDqW-GmcYkwdz3lw4JP

 

[HoosierDaddy]

In Australia and some others, Ford recommends what minimizes warranty repairs (5W30). In the US they recommend what gets them the highest mileage numbers with minimal impact on warranty repairs (5W20). Even minuscule fractions of a MPG improvements saves them millions in CAFE fees.

 

[nick20s]

In Australia and some others, Ford recommends what minimizes warranty repairs (5W30). In the US they recommend what gets them the highest mileage numbers with minimal impact on warranty repairs (5W20). Even minuscule fractions of a MPG improvements saves them millions in CAFE fees.

I totally agree. I use Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 full synthetic and the engine loves it.

 

[Barry]

I live in Australia and own a FN 2018 5.0 ltr GT Mustang, 10 speed auto transmission. I note on the oil filler cap on the engine that it states using SAE 5w - 20 oil, but the Australian Ford produced "Customer Assistance, Warranty and Service Guide" recommends SAE 5w - 30 oil that meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C913-D. i mentioned this anomaly to my local Ford dealer, which created some confusion there as well. I have added about a liter oil to the engine since new and used 5w - 20 grade, assuming this would be the grade added at the factory when manufactured. The car has now travelled about 8000 kilometres since new. Not sure if oil grades should vary between different countries? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

In Australia and some others, Ford recommends what minimizes warranty repairs (5W30). In the US they recommend what gets them the highest mileage numbers with minimal impact on warranty repairs (5W20). Even minuscule fractions of a MPG improvements saves them millions in CAFE fees.

Thank you to the posters for their helpful advice. The videos were very informative. It appears that 5w - 30 is the way to go for conditions out here (Down Under). Just not sure what grade of oil was in the car when I purchased it new from the dealer, the dealership said the car comes from the factory already filled with oil but weren't sure of the grade. I've added about a litre of 5w - 20 since new, assuming that was the oil in the card from new? If it was 5w - 30 from the factory, I hope I haven't caused any engine damage by adding a litre of a lighter weight oil? Anyway, I will make sure they use the Aussie recommended weight (5w - 30) at the cars first service due in February 2020. I will also amend the oil recommendation on the oil filler cap with a permanent marker pen from 5w - 20 to 5w - 30!

 

[nick20s]

Thank you to the posters for their helpful advice. The videos were very informative. It appears that 5w - 30 is the way to go for conditions out here (Down Under). Just not sure what grade of oil was in the car when I purchased it new from the dealer, the dealership said the car comes from the factory already filled with oil but weren't sure of the grade. I've added about a litre of 5w - 20 since new, assuming that was the oil in the card from new? If it was 5w - 30 from the factory, I hope I haven't caused any engine damage by adding a litre of a lighter weight oil? Anyway, I will make sure they use the Aussie recommended weight (5w - 30) at the cars first service due in February 2020. I will also amend the oil recommendation on the oil filler cap with a permanent marker pen from 5w - 20 to 5w - 30!

For piece of mind, you can also get an early oil change to keep it pure. I did mine at 1000 miles.

 

[nick20s]

Thank you to the posters for their helpful advice. The videos were very informative. It appears that 5w - 30 is the way to go for conditions out here (Down Under). Just not sure what grade of oil was in the car when I purchased it new from the dealer, the dealership said the car comes from the factory already filled with oil but weren't sure of the grade. I've added about a litre of 5w - 20 since new, assuming that was the oil in the card from new? If it was 5w - 30 from the factory, I hope I haven't caused any engine damage by adding a litre of a lighter weight oil? Anyway, I will make sure they use the Aussie recommended weight (5w - 30) at the cars first service due in February 2020. I will also amend the oil recommendation on the oil filler cap with a permanent marker pen from 5w - 20 to 5w - 30!

Thank you to the posters for their helpful advice. The videos were very informative. It appears that 5w - 30 is the way to go for conditions out here (Down Under). Just not sure what grade of oil was in the car when I purchased it new from the dealer, the dealership said the car comes from the factory already filled with oil but weren't sure of the grade. I've added about a litre of 5w - 20 since new, assuming that was the oil in the card from new? If it was 5w - 30 from the factory, I hope I haven't caused any engine damage by adding a litre of a lighter weight oil? Anyway, I will make sure they use the Aussie recommended weight (5w - 30) at the cars first service due in February 2020. I will also amend the oil recommendation on the oil filler cap with a permanent marker pen from 5w - 20 to 5w - 30!

In a short term there is no harm with the mixing. The impact is minuscule for short term.

 

[BlackandBlue]

Thank you to the posters for their helpful advice. The videos were very informative. It appears that 5w - 30 is the way to go for conditions out here (Down Under). Just not sure what grade of oil was in the car when I purchased it new from the dealer, the dealership said the car comes from the factory already filled with oil but weren't sure of the grade. I've added about a litre of 5w - 20 since new, assuming that was the oil in the card from new? If it was 5w - 30 from the factory, I hope I haven't caused any engine damage by adding a litre of a lighter weight oil? Anyway, I will make sure they use the Aussie recommended weight (5w - 30) at the cars first service due in February 2020. I will also amend the oil recommendation on the oil filler cap with a permanent marker pen from 5w - 20 to 5w - 30!

You did not hurt you engine by mixing oils. The base oil are the same between weights. Small additive differences make 20 to 30 weight.

Don’t sweat it. Your engine is fine.

I changed my oil at 2500 with ford recommended (semi) oil then went full synthetic at 7500.

 

[Barry]

You did not hurt you engine by mixing oils. The base oil are the same between weights. Small additive differences make 20 to 30 weight.

Don’t sweat it. Your engine is fine.

I changed my oil at 2500 with ford recommended (semi) oil then went full synthetic at 7500.

Just visited the service manager at my local Ford dealership. After discussion, we have decided to change the oil and filter this Wednesday and use the 5w - 30 grade as recommended by Ford Australia. This will remove any confusion as to what oil was put in the motor when manufactured and any doubts about the correct grade to use if the engine needs topping up before the next service. Thanks again for everyones valued advice, much appreciated.

 

[nick20s]

Just visited the service manager at my local Ford dealership. After discussion, we have decided to change the oil and filter this Wednesday and use the 5w - 30 grade as recommended by Ford Australia. This will remove any confusion as to what oil was put in the motor when manufactured and any doubts about the correct grade to use if the engine needs topping up before the next service. Thanks again for everyones valued advice, much appreciated.

Good! Did they use full synthetic or synthetic blend?

 

[Barry]

My car is booked in tomorrow (Wednesday) for the oil and filter change. The Ford dealer here will use SAE 5W-30 Castrol Magnatec Professional A5 engine oil. I'm not sure if it's a fully synthetic oil? Is this oil available in the USA?

 

[nick20s]

My car is booked in tomorrow (Wednesday) for the oil and filter change. The Ford dealer here will use SAE 5W-30 Castrol Magnatec Professional A5 engine oil. I'm not sure if it's a fully synthetic oil? Is this oil available in the USA?

That is a full synthetic. Good for you. Here the dealerships have watered down the standards and use 5w-20 synthetic blend to avoid high fees to government to meet emissions and fuel efficiency standards at the expense of engine protection. I tell them to use my own 5w-30 full synthetic oil Pennzoil Platinum.

 

[Smokey613]

I will also amend the oil recommendation on the oil filler cap with a permanent marker pen from 5w - 20 to 5w - 30!

Here you go....

Motorcraft EC789 Oil Filler Cap Assembly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5BQG12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_tFIRDb71TMAAT

 

[Barry]

Here you go....

Motorcraft EC789 Oil Filler Cap Assembly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5BQG12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_tFIRDb71TMAAT

Thanks Smokey,

I'll attempt to pick up one of these caps. Just a pity that Ford don't fit these to their export models to Australia.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Is that one for a pre-18? I read the 18 up might have a better option. Something to do with the engine and coil covers being different. I think that "fits" but there is a smaller one since the 18 ups use a smaller cap from the factory.

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