Just realized I was using the wrong motor oil grade (EcoBoost).

[madmax]

After changing the oil & filter in my 2023 Ford Maverick with Ecoboost. I realized I bought the wrong grade motor oil, Motorcraft 5W-20 instead of 5W-30. Will my engine explode in the middle of the highway during the 100-degree day? What should I do? Is there a special additive to make the oil a bit thicker?

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[Mr Pibb]

It'll be fine, just swap out with the correct one next chance you get.

 

[OleFordGuy]

IMO, I don't think your engine is going to explode all of a sudden, you won’t notice anything instantly, but it could possibly speed up the wear and tear of the engine system if left in long term. It also could overload/affect the oil pump moving the oil around, as it was designed to work with the 5W30 oil. I would recommend changing the oil and oil filter first chance you get, but it's not some big emergency. That's my opinion, others may have a different opinion. It's up to you on how you want to proceed.

 

[d7602002]

I'm not much into The maintenance of a vehicle I usually let my dealer do that. But my thought would be, as an outsider, you changed your own oil so if it wasn't that expensive just for peace of mind you might just want to go get new oil and replace it. If the oil costs 30 40 bucks to me that might be worth the peace of mind rather than waiting and wondering. Just my two cents.

 

[MavTime]

All oil today has additives to increase viscosity when needed. You should be fine to change again at 3k mi, but if you tow or drive hard or in higher heat then you could just swap the oil out and not the filter.

 

[Montana]

Just drain and refill with 5w-30 asap.

 

[TwoTone]

Here the thing no one mentioned.
Let's say in 20k you have an engine related issue, and they ask for proof of oil changes, you hand them your info and it has the wrong oil on it, you just made it easy to deny a claim.

Is that worth the little you'll save by not changing it now?

 

[Grand Nat.]

5-20 oils are design for engines with tighter tolerances. .Your engine won't explode. However change it just to settle you concern's .

 

[A.Bursell]

IMO, probably fine going into the winter months where it's going to generally be cooler. But if you want to feel better about leaving it, I would NOT add any type of an additive. What I would do instead is swap the filter and top off with Motorcraft 5w50 (maybe a quart?). Should not effect starting, but will thicken up the oil on the hot side of things. Note that mixing viscosities is not just averaging the numbers together (4 qts 5w20+ 1 qt 5w50 ≠ 5w26). No way to tell what it actually ends up being without testing, but it will thicken up the oil when hot.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/motorcraft/motorcraft-motor-oil/mot0/xo5w50qgt

 

[Gpp]

You just got to love some of these oil questions

 

[mav_kev]

You just got to love some of these oil questions

And the responses! From "it'll be fine" to "change it out right away or your warranty will be voided" - someone will mention Blackstone soon too.

 

[Oscarcat]

After changing the oil & filter in my 2023 Ford Maverick with Ecoboost. I realized I bought the wrong grade motor oil, Motorcraft 5W-20 instead of 5W-30. Will my engine explode in the middle of the highway during the 100-degree day? What should I do? Is there a special additive to make the oil a bit thicker?

Since you are a DIY Mav owner [as am I] if I had done what you did, I would drain the wrong oil, but leave the oil filter that was renewed at the time you made this faux pas, and refill the crankcase with the 5w-30 to the full mark on the dipstick and call it a day. Save your receipt for oil should you need proof of regular service.

 

[Exranger]

Take a qt out thru dipstick, and add a qt of Lucas oil stabilizer. Is it synthetic? Then Change in 3k or so. Unless you are towing, then fix it today.

 

[The Real Maverick]

It will be fine.

You did not add poison and you did not add some weird substance.

You added something that was 99% the same as what you were "recommended" to do.

Adding this or that will make it WORSE than 99% the same. I'd leave it alone or change it early at your convenience. No need to be in a big rush.

 

[AzureBlueBill]

Leave it in there. That's just my advice, and I have no scientiic basis for it. Except that there isn't a hell of a lot of difference in those two oils.

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