Oil Viscosity

[brroberts]

Attached are the Blackstone numbers for my first 5 oil changes. They keep commenting on how my oil is a little thin. Should I move from Mobile 1 5w-30 to 10w-30? I’m using Wix 51348 filters.

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[Grumpaw]

I pretty much lean towards the manufacturer's recommendations....they designed the engines, tested them, so I figure they know what the proper viscosity is.
The only time I ever deviated from the recommendation was with a previous Subaru....called for 0W-20 and I went with a 5W-20.
Ranger....5W-30.
I have always used synthetic oils and factory filters in all my vehicles, have never had an analysis, and have never had an engine go on me.

 

[RedDakooter05]

"but we're thinking this may be a regular pattern for your Ranger--definitely nothing to be too concerned about "



They probably deal with lots of variations of oils so I wouldn't take it to heart on some of their comments. Stick to 5W-30.

 

[JasonTremor]

There will be lots of opinions on this one, but I had a discussion with my neighbor about it about a month ago. He has a 2015 Toyota 4Runner with the 4.0 v6. It specifies 0w-20 synthetic oil. He was doing an oil change and was putting 10w-40 synthetic in it for an oil change. He noted he has been using that weight since the first oil change and never had issues. It had right at 260k miles on it then and was quiet and smooth and he noted it wasn't using any oil between changes.

I say all that to say this. Use the weight of oil you are comfortable with using.

 

[Frenchy]

Attached are the Blackstone numbers for my first 5 oil changes. They keep commenting on how my oil is a little thin. Should I move from Mobile 1 5w-30 to 10w-30? I’m using Wix 51348 filters.

Quick question for you. What does for recommend for oil viscosity? That will be your answer. Plenty of Engineers like @P. A. Schilke spent a lot of time and money figuring this kind of stuff out. How.much money did theu spend you ask? Chances are more than myself and they make combine.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

Give Blackstone a call and ask them. I don't think it's a serious issue or they'd say that in the info they wrote.
I could say a lot about how good Mobil is, but maybe they're lacking in 'viscosity maintaining additives'.
The only thing else is to try a different brand, keeping with the suggested viscosity.

 

[RangerFitz]

Mobil always runs thin. I switched away from it because my audi would burn it and other brands with an equivalent weight would not burn any.

 

[JohnnyO]

No. Higher viscosity oil might be to thick to get through the little nooks and crannies of the engine and actually cause higher wear. Try 5w-40 if you want but I wouldn't go thicker than 5w on the bottom end.

 

[mr.wonderful]

Attached are the Blackstone numbers for my first 5 oil changes. They keep commenting on how my oil is a little thin. Should I move from Mobile 1 5w-30 to 10w-30? I’m using Wix 51348 filters.

The problem isn't your oil filter, or changing viscosity. It's Mobil 1 being Mobil 1.....

I know I am going to catch A TON of flack for that comment, but I stand behind it. It's well known in the Subaru community that Mobil 1 sheers down from a 5w-30 to a 5w-20 in 3000 miles. Granted Subarus are hard on oil, but being a small turbo engine in a truck, I would expect some abuse on the oil. Blackstone's analysis has confirmed it can't withstand the abuse.

Additionally, I used Mobil 1 10w-40 synthetic in my last motorcycle and had clutch issues to the point I was changing oil in less than 2500 miles. Again, a case of abuse....

I'm about to switch to Pennzoil Platinum (parents used it in their Forester XT and had good luck) as I can't justify Motul in this application. If the Pennzoil doesn't work out, Motul is my next step.

Seriously, switch from Mobil 1. I understand that I sound like an arse in the way I say that, and I don't mean to. That said, with Blackstone coming back and confirming what I knew from past experiences tells me that Mobil 1 hasn't changed.

 

[Langwilliams]

I'm about to switch to Pennzoil Platinum

I went back to Moble 1 after using penn platinum for 2 changes after reading it sheared down too easily too.

Sounds like I might have to try Halvoline or Castrol

Throw 10w40 in as the 6th's quart? ?

 

[Bravohook]

Attached are the Blackstone numbers for my first 5 oil changes. They keep commenting on how my oil is a little thin. Should I move from Mobile 1 5w-30 to 10w-30? I’m using Wix 51348 filters.

Like Grumpaw stated above I have only once went to a different grade oil in a vehicle, My Tundra called for 0W-20 and I ran 5W-30 b/c if you did not the valvetrain sounded like it was going to crater into the fifth realm of the universe.

I do use a SCAMSOIL in my Ranger, I enjoy the stuff and I have used it on several vehicles.

 

[brroberts]

Thanks for the comments so far. This gives me stuff to think about.

 

[mr.wonderful]

I went back to Moble 1 after using penn platinum for 2 changes after reading it sheared down too easily too.

Sounds like I might have to try Halvoline or Castrol

Throw 10w40 in as the 6th's quart? ?

Can't say for certain. I know I was having blow by issues with the Semi Synthetic Motorcraft which is justifying the switch. If the Penn Plat shears in 5k miles (don't trust 10k changes), Motul is my next option. I can get Motorcraft filters for $4 so if that continues I guess I can justify the cost of Motul...

 

[9zero1790]

im not sure about the 5g manual but some of the trucks ive had in the past and equipment would spec different weight oil for some operating conditions. cold weather, high heat, heavy towing etc. i know ford does this in some cases. in the newer mustang manuals they have two oils listed. one is for normal driving one is for racing / track use. maybe the conditions you are seeing with the ranger is sort of demanding another weight. I would ask the oil lab just exactly what they mean and why. growing up around old tractors and tired trucks it was normal for me to put in other than listed oil. the more worn the engines were the heavier the oil got. at one point a friend was using rotella 15 40 (for commercial diesels) in his dodge 318. ran smooth and silky as long as it was hot outside lol. but in modern close to new engines i would not use anything other than what the manufacture says. if for no other reason the "warranty" may be void as soon as any dealer notices that its not the exact oil that ford says.

 

[9zero1790]

Attached are the Blackstone numbers for my first 5 oil changes. They keep commenting on how my oil is a little thin. Should I move from Mobile 1 5w-30 to 10w-30? I’m using Wix 51348 filters.

just read the report. sounds like all good news. except- fuel dilution lol. and that may be thinning the oil. im not laughing at you or anyones issues. its just that several folks firmly believe that fuel in oil is a pandemic cancer for rangers.

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