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

[Glen Baker LLC]

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?

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.

AGREED. IF he the OP is not going to be doing any Max Capacity Towing just daily driving back and forth to work. With fall and winters cooler temperatures. The OP may actually get better MPG.
Take care

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[commadorebob]

Engines aren't that fragile. I accidentally put diesel engine oil in a gas engine when I was in my twenties. Noticed zero long term issues and I didn't realize my mistake until several months later.

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.

I have a couple black stones in my front garden.

 

[TwoTone]

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.

What you think happens if you're asked for proof of service and you're using the wrong spec?

 

[AzureBlueBill]

What you think happens if you're asked for proof of service and you're using the wrong spec?

How would anyone know what the owner put in it? There are no hard records anywhere, are there?

 

[HeyBales]

How would anyone know what the owner put in it? There are no hard records anywhere, are there?

That's true - a receipt in hand or logged for oil and filter, written with date and mileage done - proves nothing, you could have bought that for other vehicle and never used in Mav.

But having that receipt for around the right date for the correct product. (I guess I shouldn't buy too far in advance!)
That would probably say something if you had a warranty claim being pushed back due to lack of maintenance.
What's more likely to pass sniff test - nothing but written log that looks like you made it the night before hurriedly, or a receipt with correct product?

ETA - my receipt says what the product is, abbreviated for space, but enough info to look it up.
If push came to shove I'm sure I'd need to have Walmart spell out what that SKU is fully.
And then Ford would wonder why I put M&M's in my truck.

 

[mav_kev]

What you think happens if you're asked for proof of service and you're using the wrong spec?

I think they (meaning the dealership and/or Ford) would have be able to definitively say that the oil caused whatever theoretical failure you're dreaming up from using 5w-20 instead of 5w-30. I can't think of a possible failure from that, but I'm curious what one could be!

 

[AzureBlueBill]

That's true - a receipt in hand or logged for oil and filter, written with date and mileage done - proves nothing, you could have bought that for other vehicle and never used in Mav.

But having that receipt for around the right date for the correct product. (I guess I shouldn't buy too far in advance!)
That would probably say something if you had a warranty claim being pushed back due to lack of maintenance.
What's more likely to pass sniff test - nothing but written log that looks like you made it the night before hurriedly, or a receipt with correct product?

ETA - my receipt says what the product is, abbreviated for space, but enough info to look it up.
If push came to shove I'm sure I'd need to have Walmart spell out what that SKU is fully.
And then Ford would wonder why I put M&M's in my truck.

I do not know what criteria Ford uses when they ask for "proof" that you changed the oil, or for that matter what kind of oil you put in it. I beleve it would be up to them to prove that you did something wrong. When you bought the oil proves nothing. I have at least a dozen 5-quart jugs of various viscosities/types of oil in my garage. I tend to buy it when there are good deals on it. I don't think I could produce any receipts for any of it. Some of it might be 5 years old! Anyone want some 0W-20 Mobil 1? I have a few jugs I bought for a Subaru I no longer own. Or maybe I'll just hang on to it awaiting the next vehicle that uses that watered-down stuff.

 

[Montana]

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.

Technically, all still good info. It will be fine but shouldn't be ran, it will technically void a warranty, and Blackstone because oil thread.

The only real bad info I see is additives. They are snake oils. The oil has plenty of it's own additives. If you spend $10 on additives, you might as well just buy better oil with more additives in it lol.

And it's a good question from a worried individual. It's not "when should I change" crap that belongs in a google AI response (so we can ignore it easier).

 

[mk1010]

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?

I did something similar--I filled with 5w-30 (ecoboost) instead of 0w-20 (hybrid). I left the oil in and changed to the proper recommended viscosity after 7500 miles. During that time, the engine didn't explode and I'm sure didn't wear prematurely.

 

[madmax]

KA-BOOOOOMMM!!!! there goes my Ecoboost.

Just kidding. OK, I will change the oil again soon. Thanks for your replies.

 

[TwoTone]

I think they (meaning the dealership and/or Ford) would have be able to definitively say that the oil caused whatever theoretical failure you're dreaming up from using 5w-20 instead of 5w-30. I can't think of a possible failure from that, but I'm curious what one could be!

Wait are you one of those that thinks other than saying that caused the failure; they have to prove something? I don't think you grasp how this all works in reality.

They say it caused, you say prove it, they say warranty denied.

The reality is you have to prove it didn't.

 

[inline_five]

I do not know what criteria Ford uses when they ask for "proof" that you changed the oil,

This was posted on a Ford forum when I was doing research in the subject:

As someone who deals with these claims on your vehicles, I will tell you that a claims rep will do everything within his power to make sure a claim is denied. DIY oil changes ruin warranties if not done properly. Seriously, a trustworthy and reputable repair facility charges somewhere around $65 for a full synthetic oil change (w/ vehicle inspection) on your vehicle. Is saving $30 every 6 months to a year really worth it to lose the powertrain protection on your vehicle? That being said, if you persist that you do your own oil changes, you better be prepared to document it like your life depended on it. Have a dedicated service log of all work done to the vehicle, every oil change, amount of oil added, filter part number, mileage, date, weight of oil, etc; you must have a record of every detail. You MUST change your oil before one full year and on a regularly serviced interval; strictly following the manufacturer recommendations, not only on oil changes but every service. With that log, take pictures of the purchase receipts next to odometer, every time. Record any issues or information you find about your vehicle as well. I have had to tell people their warranty claims are denied all too often because they did their own services on their vehicle. The claims that were approved, were all ones where the customer had followed my recommendations and documented every detail they could.

You do what you have to do, but as someone in the business, its not worth it to do your own oil changes while you are under a warranty.

They make a good point. Is saving $30 really worth the hassle? I really don’t know. It’s more about doing it myself and using quality oil and filter that I know is correct for me.

 

[mav_kev]

Wait are you one of those that thinks other than saying that caused the failure; they have to prove something? I don't think you grasp how this all works in reality.

They say it caused, you say prove it, they say warranty denied.

The reality is you have to prove it didn't.

Given I worked in dealerships for 15 years with about 12 different manufacturers, yeah I'm one of those. I suppose you're one of those that thinks it's the dealership and manufacturer's preference to deny a warranty claim just because they can.

This was posted on a Ford forum when I was doing research in the subject:

As someone who deals with these claims on your vehicles, I will tell you that a claims rep will do everything within his power to make sure a claim is denied.

The counter to this "sky is falling, document like your life depends on it" mentality is it's your dealership's job to do everything in their power to make sure a claim is approved. Sure you need to help by documenting if performing your own services, but it's the dealership's job to fight for their customer when necessary - like their life depends on it. A good dealership would do that.

Anyone claiming that engine failure was caused by using 5w-20 instead of 5w-30 for one oil change cycle is standing on pretty shaky ground. Thankfully, modern engines simply aren't that flippin' fragile. If one were to perform an oil change with used fryer oil, this would be a different conversation. This is a non-issue and thankfully OP sorted through the slop to find a reasonable solution.

 

[inline_five]

Given I worked in dealerships for 15 years with about 12 different manufacturers, yeah I'm one of those. I suppose you're one of those that thinks it's the dealership and manufacturer's preference to deny a warranty claim just because they can.



The counter to this "sky is falling, document like your life depends on it" mentality is it's your dealership's job to do everything in their power to make sure a claim is approved. Sure you need to help by documenting if performing your own services, but it's the dealership's job to fight for their customer when necessary - like their life depends on it. A good dealership would do that.

Anyone claiming that engine failure was caused by using 5w-20 instead of 5w-30 for one oil change cycle is standing on pretty shaky ground. Thankfully, modern engines simply aren't that flippin' fragile. If one were to perform an oil change with used fryer oil, this would be a different conversation. This is a non-issue and thankfully OP sorted through the slop to find a reasonable solution.

Thanks. Yeah I guess I'd imagine the dealer wants Ford to pay for that engine replacement, because the customer sure as heck probably won't and will just dump the vehicle (and the brand).

Do you have any other comments/tips for those doing their own maintenance and what to record and how?

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