Oil recommendation for my '03 SES

[stevo2003]

Hi All, relatively new owner of '03 SES with 141k on the clock. What is the recomendation for type/brand to keep this ole gal running until 200k?

Thanks,

Steve

[behlinla]

Any oil leaks? I guess anything but a full synthetic to prevent springing leaks.

[q0987]

This may help you to decide which one to use:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lshd7WR-a6I

[Dschinghis Kahn]

Anything changed at proper intervals with a decent filter. The vulcan (OHV) is quite easy on oil, coolant changes are far more important on this engine than any particular oil type.

Ford says 5w20, though many members (myself now included) run 5w30. It was the previous recommendation for this particular engine.

[Breeves002]

I say Walmart supertech 5w-30 and a motorcraft FL-400S filter. Change every 4000-5000 miles, no more.

If you want something better you can run a different brand of oil but supertech works just fine. Do not run full synthetic or you run the risk of an oil leak.


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[sousa632]

Originally Posted by Breeves002

I say Walmart supertech 5w-30 and a motorcraft FL-400S filter. Change every 4000-5000 miles, no more.

If you want something better you can run a different brand of oil but supertech works just fine. Do not run full synthetic or you run the risk of an oil leak.


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That's pretty much how I do it, unless I find oil on sale in the local parts store, but all my Fords get motorcraft filters


My 05 freestar gets semi-synthetic 5w20 with motorcraft filters and I usually do 7K-8K mile changes. Going strong at almost 160K miles

[Simon182]

Mobil 1. Been using it on all my cars and it never disappoints

[fct]

Originally Posted by behlinla

Any oil leaks? I guess anything but a full synthetic to prevent springing leaks.

Unless it's Mobil 1 HM 5W30, specially designed for older cars.

[fct]

I like the following:

1. Valvoline Maxlife 5W30 or Valvoline Maxlife NextGen 5W30 (same thing really). It's a synthetic blend oil formulated for older cars with a _strong_ additives packages (better than average detergents, anti-wear, seal conditioners, etc).

2. Mobil 1 HW 5W30 (for high mileage cars).

3. Mobile Super 5000 or Mobile Super 5000 HM. This is a conventional motor oil good for at least 5000 miles. Very cheap at walmart ($14 for a jug). Very good used analysis reports.


Having said this, I think any major brand (Peak, Mobil, Castrol, Valvoline, etc) or store band (walmart, autozone, napa, etc) conversational should work just fine and last at least 5000 miles easily. In fact, today Ford recommends 5000 mile oil changes for severe service duty and 7500 oil change internal for normal duty as long as the oil meets Ford's Ford-WSS-M2C930-A/ Ford-WSS-M2C945-A specifications (pretty much any major brand conventional does, as well as syn blend, and synthetic oils).

[Markanthony404]

I agree with Breeves002, whatever you do, DO NOT RUN FULL SYNTHETIC. My car is the same year and has the same engine as yours, I ran full synthetic last year when I hit 100 K miles and it leaked like crazy. I switched to a high mileage oil and it dried right up. I've seen this on many different high mileage cars. Just run regular or high mileage oil, either 5W 20 or 5W 30 will work. The best oil filters are the Motorcraft or puralator, I would stay away from Fram oil filters, they are junk!