I JUST READ THAT FORD IS RECOMEDING USING A 5W 20 OIL FOR MY BIRD. PROBLEM IS, I'VE BEEN USING A FULL SNYTHETIC 10W 30 FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF IT IS IN MY BEST INTEREST TO STAY USING WHAT I AM, OR SHOULD I HEAD TO THE 5W 20?

What year is your Bird? I have a 2002 and just had my first oil change at the dealership. The manual in the car says "Only Synthetic" but they didn't put that in it. They put 10 w 30 I was told.

Whats up Leon? my Bird is a 90 LX V6 automatic, I' ve been using castrol 30wt since I' ve had the Bird. Leon Lehman

I always suspected that the lighter weight oil was quoted in the manual to raise the gas mileage reported to the govt. I agree with Brian on that. I use 10w 40w synthetic in my 97 T-Bird, and almost everything else. If you were going to a race, you might run the lighter oil, but I prefer the protection. You will see a slight increase in gas mileage, and notice an slight increase in power with synthetic. But you really have to pay attention, as it is only slightly. The only problem with synthetic, besides the price, it is too slippery for break in. Best to run organic oil for the first 2 - 3 oil changes, then change to synthetic oil. The dealership may have done this for you, but more likely, the didn't put it in because you didn't request it. Synthetic oil is more expensive, and is not quoted in the oil change prices that they advertise. Bruce

SHE'S A 96, W/ A 3.8, AND 162,000 MILES, SO BEAKING HER IN IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE. SHE RUNS SMOOTH, AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP HER THAT WAY, THEREFORE I AM HESITANT TO GO SWAPPING OILS AROUND AT EVERY CHANGE.

Okay guys, here is a bit of info from the best of my knowledge. In this case with the 96, the heavier would be fine. But, in the newer models, you want to stick to the 5w30. Nothing heavier, and nothing synthetic. Only because the synthetics are heavy also, and with the newer models, specialy the 4.6s the heavier stuff don't fly. Since Ford like all the rest started building the new motors with less clearances, the heavier oils will actually kill the motor. Point in case, a local lawyer took his bird to the local wal-mart tle for an oil change. A week later he took it to the engine shop my uncle works at cuz it died. Reason, they used 10w40, instead of 5w30. What happened, he took them to court, and won. They used the wrong stuff, and it cost them the price of a new engine.

Thanks for the info. now as for a 90 3.8 LX Bird what grade oil should I be using? I have been using 30w. night chyld

5W30