2.5L Hybrid - Change to 5W-30 oil

[TheSEARCH]

Another video on oil thickness, interesting information I will stay with OEM recommended viscosity

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[Phimosis]

Another video on oil thickness, interesting information I will stay with OEM recommended viscosity

Exactly this! I came back to this thread to post a link to this video, but you beat me to it.

A great point that he brings up is that manufacturers are not running 0w-20 oil because they are legally required to by CAFE standards, as multiple people in this thread have claimed. Running 0w-40 would lead to an efficiency decrease that would cost GM an extra $60 per Silverado 1500, on top of the CAFE fines that they are already paying. If 0w-20 was damaging every engine made, they would rather pay the $60 fine to run 0w-40, rather than paying for a $6,000 engine replacement under warranty.

The problem is not the 0 weight oil. The problem is that GM wasn’t manufacturing to the specificarions designed by their engineers. Each engine replaced under warranty now meets the engineering specifications and they are still recommending 0w-20 oil in the replaced engines and are warrantying them to 150k miles.

 

[AVC]

Folklore and the anecdotal aside, I had oil analysis done on the dealer 0w-20 last year--at 10k mi on the oil- and it was very good to excellent on all points (see related thread). I have 5w-30 (full synthetic) in it now and approaching the 10k interval (April, I think). Plan to have that oil analyzed as well. Hoping for somewhat better total metal ppm (under 5ppm/1000mi). I won't be dismayed if it is the same or even somewhat worse, in which case, I'll try 5w-20.

Also a big grunt to those who use 20w-50 or something like that for strawman arguments against deviating in any way from OEM viscosity recommendations. 5w-30 isn't a dramatic difference anyway.

As for smoothness; I too observed a somewhat quieter engine w/ 5w-30 in the Fall and Winter, which I wasn't surprised by, given past experimentation with viscosity with other vehicles. It IS a tad bit lumpier transitioning from electric to ICE when the engine is cold, but once up to temp, the transition is nearly undetectable from seat of the pants as before, but of course still noticeable as the ICE exhaust makes noise.

So, given the hectic schedule of moving our household to another house in the area this Spring, I kicked the can quite a ways down the lane, re: oil change on the Mav (and the wife's Pilot). The Mav accumulated nearly 13k mi on this oil, and the MM popped up with "5% oil life remaining" just a day before I did the oil service.

I was multi-tasking on Sat when I did it, and while briefly remembering the day prior I should get a sample for testing, I managed to drain the crankcase and drop the filter in the pan, w/o taking a sample.

The pan I drain into has been exposed to the garage enviro for 6 months, so who knows what dirt and schmoo were in it. So, no test sample for this round. Put Kirkland 5w-30 in it and will revisit 10k from now.

BTW, the pan is by far the best I've ever used in 40 years of DIY:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R92VT2V?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_35&th=1

I'm sure there are others very similar by now.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Regarding the pan....

Bah.... no lid.

I always get ones with lids or enclosure.
Then you can just drive it to the recycle place. No transfer necessary. And I can do two changes or two cars between trips to the oil drop off place.

 

[mav47]

So, given the hectic schedule of moving our household to another house in the area this Spring, I kicked the can quite a ways down the lane, re: oil change on the Mav (and the wife's Pilot). The Mav accumulated nearly 13k mi on this oil, and the MM popped up with "5% oil life remaining" just a day before I did the oil service.

I was multi-tasking on Sat when I did it, and while briefly remembering the day prior I should get a sample for testing, I managed to drain the crankcase and drop the filter in the pan, w/o taking a sample.

The pan I drain into has been exposed to the garage enviro for 6 months, so who knows what dirt and schmoo were in it. So, no test sample for this round. Put Kirkland 5w-30 in it and will revisit 10k from now.

BTW, the pan is by far the best I've ever used in 40 years of DIY:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R92VT2V?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_35&th=1

I'm sure there are others very similar by now.

@AVC

I changed my Hybrid's 5W-30 oil this last weekend after some 7,000 miles and put fresh Kirkland 5W-30 in it again.

If I remember I may do an oil analysis next go around, just for giggles. I'll share it here if I do.

Some notes:

1) My 2.5 simply runs smoother with 5W-30, especially when "stepping on it".

2) Kirkland 0W-20 oil (typically at around 6,500 miles) tended to look more contaminated (dark) as compared to the much more translucent looking Kirkland 5W-30 I drained this weekend.

5W-30 it is going forward.

Cheers!

 

[AVC]

Regarding the pan....

Bah.... no lid.

I always get ones with lids or enclosure.
Then you can just drive it to the recycle place. No transfer necessary. And I can do two changes or two cars between trips to the oil drop off place.

Been there and rejected both. The one with little hole splashes oil out around the pan when you first pull the engine pan bolt, or worse if a breeze is blowing on the stream, completely off the pan. For the big red cover version, more finicky placement to hit the hole, and if the stream isn't centered or blows off center, splashes out. And if the red lid isn't tight or age and/or grit comprises the o-ring, they leak on the floor when set upright.

The Lisle is wide, deep, has an anti-splash lip for draining and carrying, and the spout fits into a gallon jug or my 5-gal gas can I use for waste.

 

[heady]

Easier and cleaner yet; 3 minute oil change. Too bad the oil filter isn't a topside cartridge on this vehicle...

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Been there and rejected both. The one with little hole splashes oil out around the pan when you first pull the engine pan bolt, or worse if a breeze is blowing on the stream, completely off the pan. For the big red cover version, more finicky placement to hit the hole, and if the stream isn't centered or blows off center, splashes out. And if the red lid isn't tight or age and/or grit comprises the o-ring, they leak on the floor when set upright.

The Lisle is wide, deep, has an anti-splash lip for draining and carrying, and the spout fits into a gallon jug or my 5-gal gas can I use for waste.

I had one many years ago like that. The red lid was a cap that covered the collection funnel.

 

[CurtisB]

Easier and cleaner yet; 3 minute oil change. Too bad the oil filter isn't a topside cartridge on this vehicle...

Wait, my doctor used that on my last colonoscopy! He lied!!

 

[Meeka]

Easier and cleaner yet; 3 minute oil change. Too bad the oil filter isn't a topside cartridge on this vehicle...

And you go it from where please.

 

[Cherokee]

OP,

You just became the first MTC Hybrid test pilot.
Report back, I’d like to hear mpg’s.

 

[heady]

And you go it from where please.

oh my, I got mine as a package deal from a guy when I bought an old VW diesel, I bet there's a million clones of this thing out there nowadays. It was nice on that old car because the oil filter was on top too and it had the bolt on tray underneath, so this was the coolest thing, do an oil change only by opening the hood, filter and all!

 

[CajunMick]

On my EB truck, done samples on the OE oil and subsequent changes with MC blend. The MC blend samples revealed low viscosity, below the MC listed viscosity range numbers, specs. However the big concern was report of oil shearing. With low viscosity, the shearing, obviously a concern. It has been suggested to go to 40 rated oil. Humm.

So attempt to address viscosity snd shearing, last oil change switched to full synthetic Motorcraft. Currently oil has 3,2xx miles, and a sample on the way to Blackstone. Waiting for results. Blackstone is aware of my concern of the previous viscosity and shearing results. Looking for better numbers. If not, plan to switch to different brand.

 

[HenryFord]

On my EB truck, done samples on the OE oil and subsequent changes with MC blend. The MC blend samples revealed low viscosity, below the MC listed viscosity range numbers, specs. However the big concern was report of oil shearing. With low viscosity, the shearing, obviously a concern. It has been suggested to go to 40 rated oil. Humm.

So attempt to address viscosity snd shearing, last oil change switched to full synthetic Motorcraft. Currently oil has 3,2xx miles, and a sample on the way to Blackstone. Waiting for results. Blackstone is aware of my concern of the previous viscosity and shearing results. Looking for better numbers. If not, plan to switch to different brand.

I think if you listen to much of The Motor Oil Geek he shares the lab results and shares that many oils shear back 1 grade. The only way to really know how a specific oil is holding up is to send it off to the lab to find out. One video he was sharing a lineup of Mobil 1 oils and asking the question is there really any difference between the various marketing labels on Mobil 1. He tested them and the results were interesting. There is a Truck and SUV oil that appeared to hold up the best to shear in that test. You might want to check out that video to help with some of the thought process on the viscosity and sheer.

Losing viscosity grade could be shear, it could be dilution. Fuel is the enemy of your oil. Do you short trip? Does the truck have adequate time to come up to full temp and stay there for a bit before you shut it off?

Are you running Top Tier fuels and/or running a good PEA fuel system cleaner?

 

[ScooterAddict]

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!

I thought you wrote up a great reply. I switched my 2020 Ford transit connect 2.0l non turbo at 80,000mi to 5w30. My fuel mileage actually went from 28.5mpg to 30.0mpg. This is after 20,000mi of checking it. I’m a big fan of 5w30 full synthetic oil.

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