Hybrid 2.5L: Oil that meets Ford's WSS-M2C962-A1 spec (LIST and COMMENTS)

[inline_five]

I fell for the Valvoline Hydrid oil sell. It is a respectable brand, hopefully it isn't just hype and marketing. Used a Motorcraft FL 910S filter, which is about 2" longer than the factory filter. I like that since it has more filter surface area. Changed at 7000 miles/30% oil life. Has anyone else used the Valvoline Hybrid oil?

I drive a 1995 Volvo that had nothing but dino oil in it for at least 125,000 miles. Between 125,000 and 175,000 it was driven hard and put away wet, beaten on etc. with the cheapest oil I could find. 175,000 to 200,000 it now gets an oil change a year, maybe, with M1 10w-30. Sometimes every two years. Maybe 7000 miles between.

At 30 years old and 200,000 miles, it's within about 5 psi of new factory spec compression. It doesn't smoke.

7000 miles using any quality synthetic oil in a hybrid...oil won't be why the engine grenades itself (if it ever does). It will be because of bad design (not applicable in our 2.5l's) or manufacturing error that should pop up before the warranty period ends. I'd be more concerned about the quality of the oil filter itself (not just the size) as Motorcraft has had some issues with glue/etc on their filters. But again, not much to be concerned about that I can find.

IIRC the 910S is the spec'd filter for the hybrid, is it not?

FWIW there is a good post over on BITOG tracking a 2.5l Escape IIRC using Ford's Motorcraft 0W-20 and appropriate filter. Basically zero wear outside the first oil change after tens of thousands of miles.

Sponsored

 

[The Real Maverick]

Mobil 1 0W20 Advanced Fuel Economy
Pour Point -51°C
Flash Point 229°C
Density 0.8399
*10,000 mile guarantee

Mobil 1 0W20 Hybrid Variant $1 to $2 per quart extra. Worth it?
Pour Point -42°C
Flash Point 225°C
Density 0.851
*15,000 mile guarantee

 

[inline_five]

Mobil 1 0W20 Advanced Fuel Economy
Pour Point -51°C
Flash Point 229°C
Density 0.8399
*10,000 mile guarantee

Mobil 1 0W20 Hybrid Variant $1 to $2 per quart extra. Worth it?
Pour Point -42°C
Flash Point 225°C
Density 0.851
*15,000 mile guarantee

I just ordered Motorcraft 0W-20, 6 qts from Rock Auto was $36. I had to buy spark plugs for my wife's car and the additional cost on Amazon meant shipping was free so it made it cost neutral.

I honestly do not think you can go wrong with either of those. I've used M1 on my old Volvo and wife's Prius for over a decade.

Pour point is temp it remains oil-like (flowing) down to so if you don't plan to operate near those temps that wouldn't matter. The first is less dense, so would flow better at lower temps. That makes sense.

Higher flash point is better but 4° is immaterial. Both are good.

It looks like the advanced fuel economy one has lower density yielding slightly higher MPG. Not sure if that would be better or worse, frankly. My general thought is I'd go with the hybrid variant, with slightly higher density. The additional 50% longer life indicates it may hold up better, for longer.

Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20, a well-regarded oil, specs:
Pour Point: -48°
Flash Point: 204°*
Density: 0.836
* Due to different testing standard. Apples to apples it's about 20° higher with same testing standard.

Motorcraft 0w-20:
Pour Point: -50°
Flash Point: 226°
Density: 0.846

Havoline 0w-20, (considered because it comes in a 6qt jug for $25):
Pour Point: -51°
Flash Point: 234°
Density: 0.844

Of course, those numbers don't tell the entire picture of the oil itself.

Also, of note, Ford has been making the 2.5l for a long time. It used to require 5w-30 (double check that though). 0W-20 is here for the mpg, and mpg only IMO. Just something to think about.

Valvoline Advanced Synthetic (SynPower) 12K OCI - Ford 2.5L | BobIsTheOilGuy

 

[Master Blaster]

Also, of note, Ford has been making the 2.5l for a long time. It used to require 5w-30 (double check that though). 0W-20 is here for the mpg, and mpg only IMO. Just something to think about.

No, the thinner oil is specified because in normal driving conditions the hybrid starts the engine at least 10x as much as a gas-only engine. The hybrid engine is essentially cold or cooler in normal operation a lot more than other engine types. It also preloads the oil pressure before starting up. Getting lubrication as fast as possible when starting is the most critical component of engine wear, and there is not a lot of wear occurring when an engine is running.

 

[Montana]

No, the thinner oil is specified because in normal driving conditions the hybrid starts the engine at least 10x as much as a gas-only engine. The hybrid engine is essentially cold or cooler in normal operation a lot more than other engine types. It also preloads the oil pressure before starting up. Getting lubrication as fast as possible when starting is the most critical component of engine wear, and there is not a lot of wear occurring when an engine is running.

And the 2.5L will kick on to maintain a Temperature threshold too. So when it's cold outside and you could normally drive just using electric, the engine will kick on constantly.

 

[lonewoof]

Thanks for this extremely informative post! I have always done my oil changes on my cars and motorcycles myself, and stuck to Shell Rotella T6 for all vehicles (that's a different discussion for another time). I know it doesn't meet specs for the Hybrid.

I got my first oil change done at the dealer. I noticed they used XO-0W20-QSP. The manual calls out for QFS. I checked the Motorcraft link in the first post and I noticed that the QFS replaced QSP. What I don't understand is if both are full synthetic or not? The link description calls it a synthetic blend but the picture says full syn??

 

[MavrickEcoBoost]

Thanks for this extremely informative post! I have always done my oil changes on my cars and motorcycles myself, and stuck to Shell Rotella T6 for all vehicles (that's a different discussion for another time). I know it doesn't meet specs for the Hybrid.

I got my first oil change done at the dealer. I noticed they used XO-0W20-QSP. The manual calls out for QFS. I checked the Motorcraft link in the first post and I noticed that the QFS replaced QSP. What I don't understand is if both are full synthetic or not? The link description calls it a synthetic blend but the picture says full syn??

Personally I'll never use Motorcraft again, used to work at a dealer and only used Motorcraft full synthetic on a 19 Ranger. Changed it at 4-5k everytime. When I traded it in i checked the service records and it showed they had to change the rear main seal due to a leak. Could be unrelated but the truck only had 30k miles on it.

 

[lonewoof]

Personally I'll never use Motorcraft again, used to work at a dealer and only used Motorcraft full synthetic on a 19 Ranger. Changed it at 4-5k everytime. When I traded it in i checked the service records and it showed they had to change the rear main seal due to a leak. Could be unrelated but the truck only had 30k miles on it.

Yes I understand but if you get it serviced at a dealer I don't think you have a choice.

 

[lonewoof]

Happy New Year you beautiful peeps! Does anyone know if the Motorcraft QFS or QSP is synthetic blend or full synthetic?

 

[inline_five]

Happy New Year you beautiful peeps! Does anyone know if the Motorcraft QFS or QSP is synthetic blend or full synthetic?

The 0W-20 Motorcraft is only full synthetic afaik

I think a decade ago it might have been a synthetic blend:

USA - Motorcraft - SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

But it cannot be bought anymore. I'd imagine it's just an old part number in their computer, although it's a little infuriating as it clearly violates Ford's recommended oil on paper.

Shouldn't have an issue with warranty as you did it at the dealer, but this is why I DIY.

 

[inline_five]

Personally I'll never use Motorcraft again, used to work at a dealer and only used Motorcraft full synthetic on a 19 Ranger. Changed it at 4-5k everytime. When I traded it in i checked the service records and it showed they had to change the rear main seal due to a leak. Could be unrelated but the truck only had 30k miles on it.

Motorcraft synthetic is good oil. It tests well. The RMS going was probably more due to a bad seal at install OR blowby that got out of hand and blew it (although why it got to that point is...interesting). RMS failing is pretty rare.

But you're not going wrong with any of those other oils, they are all good IMO. I think the engine will outlast the truck unless you intentionally beat on it.

 

[Cherokee]

I just don’t get it.
All this carrying on about all these different oils all trying to get into your wallet.

At FoMoCo Motorcraft blend and all fluids checked plus tire rotation $39

At FoMoCo Motorcraft Full synthetic and all fluids checked plus tire rotation $79

Easy peasy, no mess no fuss.
Takes less than an hour.
I go walk all around looking at the dealers inventory, then I get a cup of coffee.

As far as the quality of the Motorcraft oil and filter, It’s fine.

I took a motor to 528,000 miles with no problems with 10K mile oil change intervals on Mobil 1
AND
Right along side me another driver took his motor to 500,000 miles with 10K mile change intervals on what ever the cheapest oil was in the 55 gallon drums at Jiffy lube.
we never had a single motor problem.

My engine was getting weaker at 528K on the Full synthetic Mobil 1
While his ran like it did the day he bought it using the cheap NON Synthetic roach oil Jiffy lube pushed at 500,000 miles,
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND miles!
Did anyone get that ?
Most of the other guys we worked with in the Nuclear Courier business bought used cheap crappy minivans and small pick ups and most all of them regularly got past 350,000 miles, ON THE Cheapest Walmart house brand oil.
Put that in yer pipe and smoke it !

Just sayin’

 

[DCP]

Every two or three months Costco puts the Kirkland box of two 5-quart containers on sale for about $28. When they do, I usually buy two boxes. I don't think there is a more economical option out there. I change the oil every 5,000 miles mostly out of habit.

 

[Lane]

Citgo Supergard full synthetic also has the proper spec, isn't in the first post's list. Fleet Farm stores run it on sale, and it can have a rebate also. Ended up with 5-quart jugs on Black Friday for $10 each.

 

[inline_five]

Citgo Supergard full synthetic also has the proper spec, isn't in the first post's list. Fleet Farm stores run it on sale, and it can have a rebate also. Ended up with 5-quart jugs on Black Friday for $10 each.

Added thank you

Sponsored