oilman

I had a long discussion recently with the tecnical guys from a large oil company about Ford Spec 5w-30 oils.

These oils are fuel economy oils normally meeting FORD WSS-M2C913A/B.

The standard (cheaper) oils are always ACEA A1 which are designed to shear in use (lose viscosity) which is fine for a normal unmodded road car.

The problem is, if your car is modded or driven hard, these oils become very thin within 5000 miles!

I have been strongly recommended to advise people that if your car is not a stock road car then you should not use these oils.

In this case you should use a 5w-30 which carries ACEA A3 or A5 as these oils are superior quality and do not shear (lose viscosity) as easily in service.

The consequence of not doing this is severely shortened engine life!

ACEA SPECS

A1 Fuel economy petrol
A2 Standard performance level
A3 High performance and/or extended drain
A4 Reserved for future use in certain direct injection engines
A5 Combines A1 fuel economy with A3 performance

Just thought this would be of interest.

Cheers
Simon

Red16

thanks for the advice

essexrsturbo

oilman

No problem, that's what I'm here for.

Cheers
Simon

CarismaDave

What oil would you recommend for a high hp zetec turbo then?

Dave

oilman

This ACEA A5 5w-30 is a good synthetic (I use it in my RX8)

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/TechSpecs/...5W-30_8123.pdf

Or.......................

The dogs danglies of 5w-30's

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/TechSpecs/...r%20Racing.pdf

Don't expect to pay Ford's ACEA A1 prices though!

Cheers
Simon

CarismaDave

Cheers, I'll be in touch

D19 STE

My 1.8 zetec normally gets gtx magnatec 5-30w in it, now its now high power like some on here (144bhp) but what would you recommend to use for it

Cheers

Steve

oilman

Castrol Magnatec is a basic ACEA A1 oil, see the listing above.

I would use the Motul 8100 5w-30 A5 oil, much better in service for staying in grade as it's a performance oil. (I use this in my 230bhp RX8)

Cheers
Simon

Rs Adz

Hi mate wot do u think of the castrol edge range

oilman

It's very new and incorporates the API SM specs so it's a rebadging exercise on the old RS oils which are still available. Early days.

Cheers
Simon

AndyRST

I have a Focus ST170 which is totaly standard (apart from K+N filter) would you recommend swtching from the std ford 5w-30 oil that they change when its sservice at fords?

I do drive it high in the rev range when having a bit of fun wih it, would a better oil protect it better at high revs?

oilman

You don't have to but it won't harm to have a better oil in there.

It's your car and money at the end of the day.

Cheers
Simon

D19 STE

Cheers Simon

Chrissy_bwoy

good info