Best motor oil for Triton v-10

[hohenwald48]

I use what Ford says to use. That way there's never any question about oil if a wartanty issue comes up.

I doubt there's 2 cents difference from one name brand to another so why try to second guess the manufacturer?

[Adaycj]

Originally Posted by Bill Gail

... The 5w20 will thin out and provide less protection in " severe use" , ...

There is absolutely no evidence that this is true. Good quality 5w20 oil doesn't "thin out" any more that it's specification states for 5w20 oil. In an engine designed and specified for these thinner oils the simple truth is that these engines do not fail from oil related issues when the specified oil is used. As long as the service intervals are observed, and there is sufficient quantity, there is no need to second guess Ford on this one.

This is an expert from a 2006 F53 owners manual :Use 5w20 is in bold in the original printing:

Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.

Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline Engines” by the American

Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your engine’s warranty use
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153–H. SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel
economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for
your vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by Adaycj

There is absolutely no evidence that this is true. Good quality 5w20 oil doesn't "thin out" any more that it's specification states for 5w20 oil. In an engine designed and specified for these thinner oils the simple truth is that these engines do not fail from oil related issues when the specified oil is used. As long as the service intervals are observed, and there is sufficient quantity, there is no need to second guess Ford on this one.

This is an expert from a 2006 F53 owners manual :Use 5w20 is in bold in the original printing:

Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.

Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline Engines” by the American

Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your engine’s warranty use
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153–H. SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel
economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for
your vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.

It's a fact that oils breakdown for several reasons , contamination , age , exposure to heat and pressure .

It's also a fact that 20 weight oil protection is reduced by higher temperatures , whereas a 30 weight oil will protect at higher temps . This is why there are different weight oils . Otherwise oil would all be the same viscosity .

The Ford Spec. confirms these oils were intended to help with the "optimum fuel economy" to meet Federal Fleet mileage requirements. Please note " to protect your engines warranty" , another CYA.

Of course you are entitled to use any oil you choose .

I consider this argument to be similar to the tire pressure discussions. Everyone has an opinion , some based on science .

[avfordguy]

Motorhome engines are exempt from cafe standards, cafe standards only apply to under 8500 gvw.

[Adaycj]

Originally Posted by Bill Gail

It's also a fact that 20 weight oil protection is reduced by higher temperatures , whereas a 30 weight oil will protect at higher temps . This is why there are different weight oils . Otherwise oil would all be the same viscosity .

I consider this argument to be similar to the tire pressure discussions. Everyone has an opinion , some based on science .

Different viscosities behave different at the same test temperatures. The "protection" is a function of many things, including the engine design. It is not only a function of viscosity. It is simply not a fact that "protection" directly correlates to viscosity. Protection is not a defined scienctific term related to an oil characteristic.

A stock 1960s V8 would almost certainly sustain engine damage if operated under load on 5W30. The same oil that would work well in that 1960's engine would damage the timing components and valvetrain of a Triton V10.

If there was really an argument here. I conceede. A Triton V10 will not be damaged by a quality 5w30 oil in my experience anyway. Oil tests often show an overlap in cold (W) viscosity and hot (100C) viscosity after some use anyway. I'd put the right oil in it anyway, but that's been covered.

[TheCatsRV]

Originally Posted by avfordguy

Motorhome engines are exempt from cafe standards, cafe standards only apply to under 8500 gvw.

but the same engine for light trucks and vans (and even cars if the modular system is counted)

[DFord]

Ford used to send a bare chassis and their top tech expert to the FMCA "International Conventions" back before 2006. They hosted one of the tech seminars on the F53. 5w30 was Ford's recommended oil before about 2002, 03 or 04 (my memory isn't that good). But the top tech told us the ONLY REASON the spec changed to 5w20 was to increase the gas mileage. How much? Using the thinner oil you should see .05% better fuel economy.

Me, I'm sticking with 5w30 Valvoline dino oil or semi-senthitic and changing it ever 3000 to 4000 miles.

Also, the 2 valve V10 needs 6 qts when the oil and filter are changed. Back then, we saw a lot of complaints that the V10 used oil. Those complaints came from people that put 7 qts in and tried to maintain that level. The user manual called for 6 qts. The dipstick on the very early V10s was 1/2 inch short making it appear 6 qts didn't bring it up to the mark. If you have that problem, get the right dipstick or remark the one you have.

[Bigfoot_]

You didn't mention what year.

For the 2018 model year F-53, the original (v1) owner's manual published in 2017 specified 5w20, and the revised (v2) manual for published in 2018 updated this to 5w30.

[DFord]

The OP's signature says he's got a "2003 Hurricane Triton V-10
32 ft."

I based my response off of that information.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by Bill Gail

It's a fact that oils breakdown for several reasons , contamination , age , exposure to heat and pressure .

It's also a fact that 20 weight oil protection is reduced by higher temperatures , whereas a 30 weight oil will protect at higher temps . This is why there are different weight oils . Otherwise oil would all be the same viscosity .

The Ford Spec. confirms these oils were intended to help with the "optimum fuel economy" to meet Federal Fleet mileage requirements. Please note " to protect your engines warranty" , another CYA.

Of course you are entitled to use any oil you choose .

I consider this argument to be similar to the tire pressure discussions. Everyone has an opinion , some based on science .

It's also a fact that 20 weight oil protection is reduced by higher temperatures , whereas a 30 weight oil will protect at higher temps . This is why there are different weight oils . Otherwise oil would all be the same viscosity .


Not True.. There are different weight oils B/C of Engine Tolerances. Tighter machining processes "not capable" years ago use and require thinner oils. Thicker oil will actually diminish protection. These are Facts. And like tire pressures opinions dont matter their either. There are manufactures charts for those also..

[POPPASMURF]

There is a wives tail that engine tolerances are much tighter now. FALSE, clearances are the same or similar to what they have always been. There are some differences (slight differences) depending on what material pistons, rings, etc are made from. What HAS improved in our engines are not the tolerances but the uniformity of those tolerances. It is always curious how so many worship the edicts of the manufacturers without question. It is strange for instance, Ford brought out the Triton series of engines out in Australia before North America. They spec'd 10-30 over there, but when they tripped over themselves trying to meet EPA mileage, all of a sudden 5-20 is spec'd here. It was all done to meet EPA. Thanks, I'll stick to 10-30 and even 0-40 in really hot areas. Curious also, Hyundai/Kia who have had a lot of trouble with their engines quietly told their customers to upgrade to 10-30 oil.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by POPPASMURF

There is a wives tail that engine tolerances are much tighter now. FALSE, clearances are the same or similar to what they have always been. There are some differences (slight differences) depending on what material pistons, rings, etc are made from. What HAS improved in our engines are not the tolerances but the uniformity of those tolerances. It is always curious how so many worship the edicts of the manufacturers without question. It is strange for instance, Ford brought out the Triton series of engines out in Australia before North America. They spec'd 10-30 over there, but when they tripped over themselves trying to meet EPA mileage, all of a sudden 5-20 is spec'd here. It was all done to meet EPA. Thanks, I'll stick to 10-30 and even 0-40 in really hot areas. Curious also, Hyundai/Kia who have had a lot of trouble with their engines quietly told their customers to upgrade to 10-30 oil.

There are some differences (slight differences)..... Auh, Nobody said they were enormous ? Even (slight differences) are milestones in the Mass Production process. And Yes Of course the materials used today allow this to happen.. Thus thicker Viscosity is not recommended or required .

[CptBill]

Royal Purple, use it in all my trucks, boats and motorhome. Use there synthetic gear oil as well

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by Mr Ted

There are some differences (slight differences)..... Auh, Nobody said they were enormous ? Even (slight differences) are milestones in the Mass Production process. And Yes Of course the materials used today allow this to happen.. Thus thicker Viscosity is not recommended or required .

But as engines wear and clearances loosen, would you not agree that thicker oil is probably better, especially in hotter climates?
I run 10w 40 Mobile 1 synthetic in my Excursion V-10 with over 200k miles here in Texas. I was actually hearing some mild bearing rattle at startup before going thicker with the oil.