2.5L Hybrid - Change to 5W-30 oil

[mav47]

I have a 2022 Maverick Hybrid with now 70k miles on it. I do my own oil changes and transaxle fluid changes, basically all the typical maintenance. The truck has only ever been at the dealer for warranty or recalls.

I never completely liked the way the 2.5 engine sounds when running. It is basically fine, and it runs great, but there's always been this hint of "harshness".

From the very first oil change (at around 1,600 miles) until recently I have been running the recommended 0W-20 fully synthetic oil, changed at around 6.500 mile intervals. But with my most recent oil change I decided to fill it with synthetic 5W-30 instead.

Turns out: the engine feels and sounds noticeably better with the higher viscosity oil. And as likely most of you: I've been daily driving this thing long enough now that I can tell. It is significant enough that I won't go back to the Ford recommended 0W-20.

So 5W-30 it is going forward.

A few extra thoughts on this:

This engine was a development by Mazda as the "L-series", introduced around 2001 in multiple capacities including a 2.3 (the L3). Around 2008 the 2.5 L5 came out, which is is basically the engine we have in the Maverick Hybrid. At the time Mazda and Ford were cojoined companies and Ford ended up using these engines in various models like the Fusion, Escape, etc. relabeled as their "Duratec" engine. This Mazda/Ford engine has a truly stellar reputation for reliability.

This engine is used in different vehicles in various markets worldwide, and when you start looking it turns out the oil viscosity specified for this engine varies too: 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 5W-40 are some of what I found, depending on average operating ambient temperature.

In the US the only recommended oil for this engine is 0W-20 (irrespective of climate region!), but that almost certainly has to do with legality as related to EPA/fuel economy standards, and is not necessarily what's best for longevity. Many or actually most modern vehicles in the US require 0W-20 oil, or sometimes even thinner: 0W-16 or 0W-8 in for instance the latest Toyota engine families.

These newest engines are likely truly designed for this thin a viscosity, and I'd be more reluctant to switch to much higher viscosity oils in that case as it might "plug things up". But the essentially quarter century old engine in the Maverick Hybrid is in my opinion a different story, it was certainly designed for higher viscosity oils as specified for it in different markets.

After switching to 5W-30 I do appear to be noticing a slight drop in fuel economy. It is marginal, but I have the trip fuel economy reading on the dash pretty well calibrated to be exact, and I noticed an approx. 1 mpg drop on my daily commute over the last couple of weeks. This could just be weather conditions, or other randomness, but it does make sense as this is exactly the reason why 0W-20 is specified in the first place: thinner viscosity oil results in slightly better fuel economy.

Either way, at this point I think that running the Hybrid with 5W-30 will not only be fine, it will likely be better for longevity too.

With the engine now running so nicely, I'm willing to take my chances on it.

Cheers!

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[oysterville]

It's your truck. You can run corn syrup through it if you want, as long as you're cool with the results.

 

[bgn]

Not a good idea to run oil that's not specified by the manufacturer, especially on these newer vehicles with engines with tight tolerances, start/stop, etc.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

It's your truck. You can run corn syrup through it if you want, as long as you're cool with the results.

My first car was a 49 Chevy I bought in 1958 for $72. It took 60 oil to quieten the engine after about a year it took 90 weight. To start it in cold weather had to step on pedal six times and count to seven slowly then turn key. Starter could crank it far enough to fire the first cylinder which then started the engine. One cold morning it broke the block. Sold it to classmate for $85 who had an engine. I then scrounged up $340 and got a 1956 Plymouth that I drove through high school.

 

[Storm Ranger]

I have a 22 Hybrid I see no issue with using a 5w-30 oil. I do all my services also and when I get as many miles you have I will consider the same.

 

[Master Blaster]

It might be more quiet, but its a lot harder on the engine. Unlike every other vehicle that you've ever owned, the Hybrid only rarely gets up to temperature. You need the thinner oil to do the job for the 90% of the time that its under load and cold.

 

[mav47]

It might be more quiet, but its a lot harder on the engine. Unlike every other vehicle that you've ever owned, the Hybrid only rarely gets up to temperature. You need the thinner oil to do the job for the 90% of the time that its under load and cold.

@Master Blaster

I have owned a 2011 Prius from new to 270k miles over ten years, replaced it with the Maverick Hybrid, and we own a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I do all my own maintenance.

Respectfully, and this is just my opinion: any of these regular Hybrids typically reach plenty of operating temperature, certainly here in SoCal. They do not run "cold" most of the time. I do realize that average oil temperature is typically lower in a Hybrid than in a conventional ICE configuration though, you're not wrong there. But I don't think that's enough to have a material negative impact when running 5W-30 vs. 0W-20 as the viscosity delta is not even that much.

Plus there's the much higher average ambient temperature here in SoCal to consider vs. you being in Toronto. Interestingly, 0W-20 is specified for all climate zones all across North America, while there are vast differences in ambient temperature these engines operate in here.

I'll report back if 5W-30 ends up causing any issues, I simply don't expect it to.

Cheers!

 

[icegradner]

@Master Blaster

I have owned a 2011 Prius from new to 270k miles over ten years, replaced it with the Maverick Hybrid, and we own a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I do all my own maintenance.

Respectfully, and this is just my opinion: any of these regular Hybrids typically reach plenty of operating temperature, certainly here in SoCal. They do not run "cold" most of the time. I do realize that average oil temperature is typically lower in a Hybrid than in a conventional ICE configuration though, you're not wrong there. But I don't think that's enough to have a material negative impact when running 5W-30 vs. 0W-20 as the viscosity delta is not even that much.

Plus there's the much higher average ambient temperature here in SoCal to consider vs. you being in Toronto. Interestingly, 0W-20 is specified for all climate zones all across North America, while there are vast differences in ambient temperature these engines operate in here.

I'll report back if 5W-30 ends up causing any issues, I simply don't expect it to.

Cheers!

I doubt it will hurt the engine, you'll just get worse fuel economy. My dealer puts in 5W-20 unless you pay extra for full synthetic, and a drop in MPG is the only difference I notice when I forget to ask for the factory recommended stuff.

 

[710-oil-614]

It might be more quiet, but its a lot harder on the engine. Unlike every other vehicle that you've ever owned, the Hybrid only rarely gets up to temperature. You need the thinner oil to do the job for the 90% of the time that its under load and cold.

This is the answer and OP is ignorant on hybrid drivetrains, well any drivetrain.

As others have said let him run syrup through his engine, ruin efficiency, tax it, and cause undue harm.

OP certain it’s a good idea though!!!

 

[inline_five]

My non-mechanical engineering background tells me that you could probably run Canola oil in the 2.5l for 250k miles.

Kidding, of course, but the engine is so well designed and durable that pretty much anything will work.

 

[Cherokee]

I would never own or even ride in a Prius, Ever.
I’d feel I was disrespecting the entire automotive Industry.
:’P

 

[S Dundee]

This engine (in the Escape and other models) used 5W20 for several decades. I would think 5W20 would be OK but 5W30 I personally would not use.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Old engine design, yes. But it's running in a Hybrid, with constant stopping & starting (unless you're driving all highway miles).

It's your truck, so put what you want in it. I will only use full synthetic 0W-20 oil. And TopTier™ fuel only. Both recommended by Ford.

 

[Tim d]

I have a 2022 Maverick Hybrid with now 70k miles on it. I do my own oil changes and transaxle fluid changes, basically all the typical maintenance. The truck has only ever been at the dealer for warranty or recalls.

I never completely liked the way the 2.5 engine sounds when running. It is basically fine, and it runs great, but there's always been this hint of "harshness".

From the very first oil change (at around 1,600 miles) until recently I have been running the recommended 0W-20 fully synthetic oil, changed at around 6.500 mile intervals. But with my most recent oil change I decided to fill it with synthetic 5W-30 instead.

Turns out: the engine feels and sounds noticeably better with the higher viscosity oil. And as likely most of you: I've been daily driving this thing long enough now that I can tell. It is significant enough that I won't go back to the Ford recommended 0W-20.

So 5W-30 it is going forward.

A few extra thoughts on this:

This engine was a development by Mazda as the "L-series", introduced around 2001 in multiple capacities including a 2.3 (the L3). Around 2008 the 2.5 L5 came out, which is is basically the engine we have in the Maverick Hybrid. At the time Mazda and Ford were cojoined companies and Ford ended up using these engines in various models like the Fusion, Escape, etc. relabeled as their "Duratec" engine.

This engine is used in various markets worldwide, and when you start looking it turns out the oil viscosity specified for this engine varies too: 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 5W-40 are some of what I found, depending on average operating ambient temperature.

In the US the only recommended oil for this engine is 0W-20 (irrespective of climate region!), but that almost certainly has to do with legality as related to EPA/fuel economy standards, and is not necessarily what's best for longevity. Many or actually most modern vehicles in the US require 0W-20 oil, or sometimes even thinner: 0W-16 or 0W-8 in for instance the latest Toyota engine families.

These newest engines are likely truly designed for this thin a viscosity, and I'd be more reluctant to switch to much higher viscosity oils in that case as it might "plug things up". But the essentially quarter century old engine in the Maverick Hybrid is in my opinion a different story, it was certainly designed for higher viscosity oils as specified for it in different markets.

After switching to 5W-30 I do appear to be noticing a slight drop in fuel economy. It is marginal, but I have the trip fuel economy reading on the dash pretty well calibrated to be exact, and I noticed an approx. 1 mpg drop on my daily commute over the last couple of weeks. This could just be weather conditions, or other randomness, but it does make sense as this is exactly the reason why 0W-20 is specified in the first place: thinner viscosity oil results in slightly better fuel economy.

Either way, at this point I think that running the Hybrid with 5W-30 will not only be fine, it will likely be better for longevity too.

With the engine now running so nicely, I'm willing to take my chances on it.

Cheers!

Interesting post.i wonder if Ford recommends the zero weight oil for better gas mileage? Will be interesting to see if the non recommend oil causes any wear or service issues down the road. And also if there is a further drop in mileage. I'm 65, drove alot of junkers as a teen when 10w30 was common. If I had a vehicle that used alot of oil I'd dump a quart of 50 weight in and it would help. If you keep your vehicle awhile keep us updated.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

This engine (in the Escape and other models) used 5W20 for several decades. I would think 5W20 would be OK but 5W30 I personally would not use.

So several decades is good, but have specs changed that makes 5W20 borderline now where as before it was great. Do we have to use 0W20 when ambient temp drops below single digits F?

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