Engine oil and traction control?
 

Two questions guys:

1. Who uses the 5-20 recommended engine oil in thier 4.6 GT? I live in SoCal and I run 5-30 or 10-30. It's so warm here that I could use 10-40 easily. I was just wondering why Ford recommends such a thin oil in theses cars.

2. If your going to drag race, should the tract control be on or off and why?

Thanks guys, I always get great info on this site! Mark M :punk:

i recently did a oil change and used 5-20 Mobil 1 and i have to say its like water no joke not think and i was wondering why ford recommends a thin oil and when i race i put traction off :)

You definately want the traction off, when the traction control is on and the tires start to spin the computer automatically shut fuel off and the tries stop spinning

Ford started to use the 5w-20 back in 2001 to help meet the CAFE requirements for gas mileage. I would use either 5w-20 or 5-30. I run 5w-30 mobil syn in my 03 cobra and have been for 40k. I used 5w-30 mobil syn in my 01 cobra vert as well.

Traction control should be turned off when you drag race as it will only hinder your performance should you get side ways TC will kick on and slow you car down to regain control

The reason why ford recommends 5W-20 is because the clearances are alot tighter now and the thinner oil can clear it. They also say if you use thicker oil like 10W-30 or 40 you could cause serious damage to your engine. Stick with what they recommend unless you rebuild or just build a motor and used different clearances.:nono:

i use 10-30 no prob

I have never heard that. They ran 5w-30 in the 99 and prior cars with no issues and the gas mileage requirements changed hence why they introduced the 5w-20 in 2001 to get out a little better gas mileage to help with their overall CAFE ratings as a company.

I recently had Mobil 1 5w-30 put in. No probs here....It only protects the engine better...........

Oh and keep traction control off when drag racing....
actually, the first thing I do WHENEVER I drive my car is turn it off....

I had TC turned off for good via my xcal2. Although sometimes I wish I had it on when its raining.

i dont even use it when it raining.......but then again...I dont drive the stang in the rain.

yea my 03 is my daily driver at this point in time so it gets to see the rain.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I love this site! Mark M :pepper:

no problem..we are all hear to help each other out:clap:

Use 10W-20......why? i dont know.

I read 3 different things about the 5W-20 weight

1. Tighter clearances and to use 5W-20 so you don't damage anything.

2. Dealers say 5W-20 to promote better fuel economy, BUT it's because the thinner oil promotes less parasitic drag on the crank and rods, therefore increase in fuel and power.

3. I read that you can use whatever weight you want to use and they recommended amsoil 0-30W is the best route to go. It was one of those Question/Answer sites.

So you can choose what you want. Thinner oil, better fuel and less drag on your internals or heavier weight, maybe more protection but there will be a drag on the internals, unless you have a windage tray on it.

I'll stick to 5W20 or 5W30, not to much difference there.

I asked a friend that's a certified mechanic and he said that he uses 5W20 in his stang, and 5W30 is fine also. He said that the cam oil lashers don't like the thicker oil and there can be wear and tear on start ups or cold engine runs, due to the thicker oil taking awhile to warm up to thin out a little to go through the lashers, the 5W20 goes through them at start up and NOT to use 10W30/40. Just some FYI stuff.

Also the other stuff about better fuel economy and less drag is true.

I use motocraft 5w-20 and your traction control should always be off when you race unless you want to stall your car all the time.

Good info; Thanks!!