Hello Mr. Scotty. Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing to help us understand mechanic. Here is my problem: I own a 2021 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. Everytime i go to my FORD dealer for an oil change (usually between 7000 and 8000 kilometers) i am very clear asking for full synthetic oil. Last friday i went for my 24 000km oil change and realize after reading the invoice for the 1st time once i got home, that the dealer was putting 0W20 weight oil in my engine since the 1st 2500 km oil change ! I was totally out of my mind whent i realize that. I called the dealer to ask them why they changed the oil weight recommended by the manufacturer and they told me that every time a customer ask for full synthetic oil they always use 0W20 since it is the only synthetic oil they keep in stock. They also told me that 0W20 was always what has been put in my engine since the first time… damn ! I could’nt just beleive it ! I called Ford Canada to talk to a qualified technician and he told me that i sould alway use 5W30 grade oil as recommended by ford and using other grade oil could damage the engine. I then decided to fill a complaint against my FORD dealer. My questions is: how bad is it for the engine ? I take care of this truck as much as i can and hoped to keep it for long term since i dont ride it very often. I am so disapointed about this situation Mr. Scotty… Should i keep the truck or is it too late and the damage is done… Thank you for letting me know your point of view. Sorry about my english. I am a French Canadian guy following you since many years and enjoying every single one of your videos. Thank you very much Mr. Scotty. 🤗
Philippe
Ford is changing or changed there requirements and guidelines. 0w20 is approved and meets all specs/recommendations. Its probably because the epa rules and regulations. Unless Ford realized this oil is better then 5w30. Changing the oil your self might be your only option if you want a different oil. Unless you convince dealer to use what you want.
If it is like many Toyota engines, the standard may have been made retroactively.
For example, when my 2004 Prius came out, it was 5W-30. But many years later, they retroactively made 0W-20 compatible with car. Both oils are fine for the Prius, and I’ve switched between them. 0W-20 seems to last a little longer and less burning oil, but that’s just anecdotal from what I have seen with my own eyes.
Your car / engine may*** also have retroactively updated the standard.
It’s good that you have it documented, in case you need to take action later. But don’t lose too much sleep; it’s probably fine.
But if they are gonna use just “whatever” oil, they obviously can’t be trusted to care for your expensive investment. Time to take it elsewhere, or DIY (and use the specified oil going forward).
My Mercedes was strictly 0w40. When I was talking to a guy at Mercedes parts department he told me warranties were void if you used anything else. That how strict it was when they used 0w40. When I went to get oil few months ago they gave me 5w40 and said the other oil isn't used anymore and this is the new standard. He also said all there data shows that 5w40 is far superior in every way.
why would you want thicker oil on startup? To me it sounds like they were just trying to save money.
It wasn't just that one Mercedes parts department. Ive gone to 4 more since to pickup parts and when I asked about the oil all them the same thing. We no longer use 0w40 it's been changed to 5w40. This is the oil that is being used now. So that is 5 parts departments in 2 states. From what I can tell it's not even stocked anymore. I prefer to use Mobile 1 0w40 anyways. The car runs better when cold and isn't as chatty at start up. I also would rather stick with the oil that has been used for past 20 years. The engine has little wear and is in great running order, the oil is doing it's job. I'm going to email Mercedes headquarters and try to get ahold of someone from engineering. I'm curious on why they changed it especially after being so strict with 0w40 only..
well maybe that's why ... they just can't get the 0w40 any more.
The past 20 years they used what was available to them, but manufacturing/technology changes. If you go back far enough, they used whale blubber.
That is true.