What type of oil do you use?

I just bought a 2001 Windstar and the guy didn't know what Wal-Mart used. He thought 5-20 in winter and 10-30 in summer.

Ford just recommend 5w-20. Does that sound right?

Thanks!

hello, jaylukasavige,

I use Castrol 10w-40 in the summer to protect the bottom end of my 3.0 and I use 10w-30 full synthetic in the winter to protect the top end. You can't be the smooth and quiet idle I get in the summer or the quick warmups in the winter.

Hi and welcome to the forums jlukasavige

Going with what ford recommends would by fine, but like Rotorman stated depending on what area of the country you live at also has a bearing on that decision.
Use thicker oil for warm climate and thinner for cold.

Currently I'm using SuperTech 10w30 because I'm doing 2,000 mile oil drains until I get my leaky gaskets fixed (although a small amount of Barrs seems to have slowed it quite a bit). After that I will be using 5w-30 TropArtic at 4,500 mile intervals. I would use 5w-20 TropArtic but my local ChinaMart does not carry it.

I will also change from SuperTech to Wix filters when I 'extend' the OCI again. For now the cheapies are good enough.

Ford says to use 5w20, but mine had lower bearing slop, and a not so great oil pump. I did a quicky, barn job bearing replacement, but dont want to drop the motor to do the oil pump, so I run 10w30 to keep the psi up.

I use 5w30 mobil 1 full synthetic. With 101,000 + miles on it the Valve area is perfectly clean. Looks new on the inside of the oil fill area of the valve train.Plus it gets better gas mpg using it..

I've used nothing but several brands of 5w-20 and various filters in the 4yrs/50Kmi I've owned my 2001. It's as quiet as a mouse and silky smooth. It's never used any noticeable amount in the 4-6Kmi oil change intervals I do on it, even after some very strenuous ~1000mi road trips. The engine is clean and looks almost new under the hood and through the oil fill cap and I'm currently at over 80Kmi. One other oddity is; I've yet to have the isolator bolt issue! :uhoh: :banghead:

Joel

My engine did SUPER with Mobil 1 5W-30 for my '96 3.8L.
As you can see in my lower intake manifold pictures.....very clean.
FORD has since back spec'd 5W-20 for all years of windstar.
I currently have Redline 5W-20 in it.
I would stick with 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil unless told differently by an experienced mechanic, for a special situation.
If you live in a warm climate, and your manual lists a heavier weight for that situation....then the heavier weight would be good also.
In short.....sticking with what FORD recommends is a good idea.

My 2000 with the 3.8 was bought new, and has only had Valvoline 5W 30 in it paired up with a Motorcraft filter. Changed every 3K miles and it all looks like new on the inside!!

I use Mobil 1 5w-30 in my 2000 windstar and everything works great. I change my oil every 5000 miles on the dot. I'm confident that the full synthetic compounds that make up Mobil 1 is the best protection money can buy. You can also buy redline or royal purple which are the best synthetic stock available.
Also, I saw a link where the good people from Royal Purple Dyno tested a Stock Camaro on OE fluids vs. the synthetics and showed an increase of 10 horsepower with synthetic. Here is a video link that will break it all down for you:
http://royalpurple.com/video4/trucks.html