Oil testing & too much info

[Loaded05]

Not sure if anyone else is as obsessive about a topic as I sometimes will be. I recently went way too far down the rabbit hole on oil specifications. I believed I was using the "right" oil (Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30) based on literature & word-of-mouth, until I sent off a sample to be tested. It turns out, the oil I was using is too thin for my taste & too thin for the engine. SAE requirements for 30 weight is 9.3 to 12.5 cSt at 100C. This batch of oil I was using ended up at 7.59 cSt with only 943 miles on it; no water, antifreeze or fuel noted. This result puts the oil in the middle of the 20 weight range, not something I want rolling around inside my engine. I had briefly contemplated switching to a 40 weight oil, but instead I began searching for a 30 weight replacement. Shell/Pennzoil rates the Platinum 5w-30 oil at 9.8 cSt, within the range, but at the low end. Mobil 1 5w-30 is listed at 10.8 cSt, smack dab in the middle of the range, that's looking better. Then I found the Mobil 1 FS 5w-30. It is listed at 12.2 cSt, may as well call it the top of the range. I ended up draining the platinum at just over 1k miles and putting in the FS. I will be sending off another oil sample for testing once I get about 1k miles on this change.

Has anyone else sent off oil samples and gotten abnormal results?

 

[Gadgtfreek]

I used to do it frequently, but now it's more hit and miss. Yes, some 30W oils have lower viscosity than others, but Platinum is a very good oil, and I think the reaction was an overreaction. Still, it's about peace of mind. My local tire, brake, and repair shop, where I get my oil changes, offers Valvoline Full Synthetic and a tire rotation for $90. Valvoline is excellent, and while Mobil 1 is my top choice, I believe that if you use a full synthetic 5W-30 in an EcoBoost and change it properly (not every 10,000 miles), you'll be fine.

My factory fill (1200 miles) analysis is expected soon, and I'll share it here on the site. I plan to track the next few oil changes and then perform spot checks every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. For my Mustangs (Coyote), F150 3.5L, Edge ST 2.7L, and this vehicle, I have stuck to 5,000-mile oil change intervals.

 

[KCM]

I had briefly contemplated switching to a 40 weight oil, but instead I began searching for a 30 weight replacement.

Why not just use Motorcraft 5W-30 oil as recommended by Ford. It is readily available and priced affordably.

 

[SugarMouth]

You will want an oil with room to dilute and or sheer when running E. Funny every time I think of the best oil for any vehicle I am contemplating for it always boils down to Mobil 0W-40. That Mobil 5W-30 Euro is a good one as well.

 

[Gadgtfreek]

Kinda like the German Castrol back in the day. Great stuff, and on the high end of "thick" 30.

 

[Mekks082]

The sample @ 15k miles is Motorcraft 5w-30 full syn, the second sample @ 20k is Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30.

As you can see the Motorocraft broke down to a 20wt, the M1 ESP did not. Granted it did have 1k less miles on it.

 

[Loaded05]

A little more compiled info of the different 5w-30s I found. A reminder that the range for a 30 weight oil is 9.3 to 12.5 cSt at 100C. The oils listed are the advertised cSt at100C.

Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 is 9.8 cSt
Amsoil Signature Series 5w-30 is 10.3 cSt
Royal Purple 5w-30 is 10.5 cSt
Valvoline Advanced full synthetic 5w-30 is 10.6 cSt
Mobil 1 5w-30 is 10.8 cSt
Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30 is 10.8 cSt
Motorcraft full synthetic 5w-30 is 10.9 cSt
Castrol GTX full synthetic 5w-30 is 11.0 cSt
Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 is 11.9 cSt
Mobil 1 FS 5w-30 is 12.2 cSt

I have picked the oil I am currently using based solely on the highest "out of the box" cSt I can get for a 5W-30, in order to keep the oil "in grade" for as long as possible. I would not hesitate to use any of these in my ST in a pinch with the knowledge that the motor would be fine for at least 1K miles.

 

[Gadgtfreek]

The viscosity that I just got back on the factory fill was 8.12

 

[Wohop]

I assume that the black water I drained oit when I bought my cpo was the motorcraft. Always used Mobil1 FS in every car I’ve owned and glad to see the results back my own experience. Don’t cheap out on oil or tires

 

[Gadgtfreek]

I'd like to add a couple of points. I've been a member of BITOG since 2004, and I've seen evidence that Wally World's Supertech Full Synthetic and Supertech Oil filters perform well under standard oil change intervals for a daily driver. Also, don't waste your money; you can use any full synthetic oil in a daily driver Ecoboost and it will work just fine, regardless of the specific viscosity you might be attached to, especially for those of us who don't follow the monitor and stick to 5,000-mile oil change intervals.

That said, I ran Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 10W-40 in both of my Mustangs(coyotes). I drove those cars hard, but I always made sure the cylinder head temperatures reached the necessary levels before pushing them. I strongly believe in using full synthetic oil; it's a cost-effective choice. Ultimately, you also need to consider your personal use of the vehicle.

I've treated both of my ST's the same way as the Mustangs, I don't give em hell in Sport until they are warmed up. Plus a cold 10R transmission can do weird things sometimes.