I have a 2004 Ford Ranger V6 and my manual said to add 5W-30. I bought some, brought it home, drained my oil, and then saw that the oil cap on my truck said 5W-20.
I wonder which one is correct for my truck and, if it really takes 5W-20, will the 5W-30 that is in it hurt it?
What do the numbers mean?
2007-01-29 11:58:26 · 8 answers · asked by tabulator32 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
New Fords specify 5W20, mostly for engine efficiency. 5W30 will not hurt it.
The numbers are viscosity (resistance to flow) ratings, with the multi-viscosity difference being cold-to-hot. They do this because oil is thicker at cold temps and thinner at hot temps. They add plasticizers to try and minimize the viscosity swings.
When cold, the 5W30 oil "acts" like SAE 5 weight (yet another viscosity rating) at that temperature. When hot it "acts" like SAE 30 weight at that temperature.
It really is not a big deal to use 5W30 instead of 5W20, but know that Ford designed and warranted the thing for 5W20 so that's what you should use.
Anything at all is better than running out.
2007-01-29 12:03:27 · answer #1 · answered by bobo383 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Go with the manual. The cap may be off of a used vehicle.
Also, look under the hood, it should also say 5W-30.
Oil comes in weights. Light easy flowing oils have low numbers like 5. The higher the number the heavier the oil.
A 5W-20 starts out a 5 and becomes a 20 when it warms up.
A 5W-30 starts out a 5 and becomes a 30 when it warms up.
The 20W oil is lighter than the 30W. An oil pump has to work harder to pump the 30W.
But as I stated, go with the 5W-30 if the manual specifies it, and verify it with the dealership in the morning.
2007-01-29 12:08:15 · answer #2 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The numbers reflect how thick the oil is. The first number is how thick it is when it is cold and the second number is how thich it is hot. The higher the number the thicker the oil. But I need to explain a little farther. The thichness is measured at a constant temp, so when the oil is cold it "acts" like "5W" oil when 5W is cold (but since it is cold it is actually pretty thick) and when the oil gets hot it "acts" like "30" oil when 30 oil is hot (but again, in reality it is actually a bit thin because it is hot). If you live in a pretty warm climate (dessert, the south east) 5W-30 would be perfect but a slightly cooler climate 5W-20 would be better. Does it really matter that much? To be honest - no. If you keep the oil changed when your supposed to, the engine will almost certainly last much, much longer than you would be willing to keep the truck - even if you constantly switch from one oil to the other every oil change. Main thing is that your in the ball park on the weight of the oil and the oil is clean.
2007-01-29 12:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by boogie2510 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trust me on this one it does take 5w-30. and yes it does matter and it is important to put 5w-30 in it. i was reading some of these answers people give you and its funny. im a ford tech and i work on these truck all day. it will take 5 qrts of 5w-30. the cap must have got broken and somebody switched it. somehow the wrong cap is on there anyway. and the numbers just represent the thickness of the oil at certain contant temperatures.
2007-01-29 13:51:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everyone that says to go with what is in the manual, caps can be changed. even if the cap is right the warranty is still good because Ford published 5W-30 in the manual. (hey, they wrote the book right?) Oh, BTW, just because the oil is of a greater viscosity does NOT mean it will handle higher temperatures, Any Mineral oil will begin to break down at around 180 Deg F, Only Full Synthetic oils will handle higher temperatures without breaking down as quickly.
2007-01-29 12:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by alk99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The numbers refer to the viscosity (Thickness) of the oil. The oil carries a lof of numbers and designations, You should look in the cars instruction mannual if you have one of ask a Ford dealer what the right weight oil you should.
The numbers you have, the 5W means that your oil will not thicken during cold weather. The second number indicated how your oil will react when it is warm outside, or after your engine is warm. The example that you have will not hurt your engine.
2007-01-29 12:07:43 · answer #6 · answered by ttpawpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does not matter. Don't see why you are not using the most common (10W-30)
What do the numbers mean. Oils use to come out in single grades only( 5W. 10W. 20W. 30W. 50W) That number refers to the thickness of the oil - the low number is like water, the high number is like molasses.
its all better explained here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil
2007-01-29 12:23:21 · answer #7 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The higher the number the more heat it can take and still lubricate properly. 5w-30 should be fine
2007-01-29 12:05:48 · answer #8 · answered by startrektosnewenterpriselovethem 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋