Thanks and glad to have this info Jim. All my cars are 10+ years old so I'll stick wtih the standard 5W30.

Appreciate your time.

Brad

 Brad, that is an old speal.... this is, indeed, the oil we have been using for quite some time. Some manufacturers are touting "hydrocracked" mineral oil base stocks as true synthetics. While these enhanced base stocks are superior to dino base stocks, my personal opinion is that calling them "synthetic" takes a real stretch of the imagination. Personally, I consider PAO (polyalfaolephin) based oils as "true" synthetic motor oils.

 Modern engines require careful consideration for oil requirements.... the moduar engine in my 02 SuperCrew receives a steady diet of 5W20 with no complaints. We ae told that this oil is required due to cylinder head/valve train design.... piston design is also drastically altered from the old deep skirt designs and now include an insert on the thrust faces to make the piston "slippery".

 There are other suppliers offering 5W20 in their line up..... AFAIK these ois meet manufacturer specs.

 HTH
   "Brad and Mia" <bradandmia@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yt1ye.1863029$6l.494103@pd7tw2no...
   Thanks for the info Jim.

   Brad

   FYI, this is from the website http://www.motorcraft.com/products.do?item=15

         Why you should stock up
       
         5W-20 is the wave of the future. Most Ford Motor Company 2001 model year engines have been designed to use this new oil and Ford Motor Company now recommends it for many older vehicles as well. Since not all automakers recommend 5W-20 and not all independent oil change shops stock it, now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity. With the advantages it brings, your customers are asking for it – which means they’ll come to your business. It also helps assure them of warranty compliance and may lead to longer engine life. Ford Motor Company is a leader in cleaner and more efficient cars and trucks. Your business should be a leader in helping the environment – and your customers.  

         Motorcraft® Quality
       
         Motorcraft® 5W-20 is a premium motor oil blended using synthetic and mineral oil base stocks manufactured via a process called "hydrocracking". This process rearranges the molecules, freeing them of impurities and making them more durable and resistant to breakdown. Motorcraft® 5W-20 dramatically outperforms and outprotects conventional motor oils. Specially tailored additives are included to:  
                     -  Reduce friction
                     -  Minimize engine deposits and wear
                     -  Protect against high temperature oxidation and low temperature thickening, rust, corrosion and foaming

       

   "Jim Warman" <mechanic@tenalpsulet.net> wrote in message news:Ih1ye.90860$HI.9815@edtnps84...
   > Wish I could tell you, Brad... we haven't seen any broadcast sheets on the
   > stuff.... I'll ask our partsmonger on Monday to see if he can see if there
   > is anything that makes this stuff "special".
   >
   > I will opine that there is more advertising hype than anything else.
   >
   > FWIW.... regular service is more important than oil quality (let's be
   > reasonable about "quality"). For my own vehicles, I run what we have "on
   > tap". Currently, ESSO Petroleum Canada supplies our engine oils. Even on -50
   > Celsius mornings, 5W20 and 5W30 appear adequate with block heaters plugged
   > in.
   >
   > My vehicles tend to biodegrade long before they break...
   >
   > HTH
   >
   > Others will offer differing opinions and some will just blather...
   > "Brad and Mia" <bradandmia@shaw.ca> wrote in message
   > news:81qxe.142978$El.123346@pd7tw1no...
   >> Jim:
   >>
   >> I was just cruising the motorcraft website...  They're hyping a new 5-20W
   >> syntheic oil, calling it the "wave of the future"...  What the heck is it
   >> that makes it so special?
   >>
   >> Brad
   >>
   >>
   >
   >