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My youngest daughter and her husband just purchased a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT with a little over 50,000 miles. I suggested that they they change the oil to Mobil 1 Synthetic. The owners manual calls for 5W-20 and I wonder if that will be sufficient for the weather here? Also any recommendations on the oil filter?
Motocraft makes thier "Semi Syn", can be found in most parts syores. Also make good filters or Wix mokes a good one(rebranded as NAPA Gold)
I have a 2001 Mountaineer with about the same mileage. The 5w20 works well for it and our weather is probably about the same as yours. We use the vehicle to travel to warmer climates (Florida) periodically during the year with never any problems. Going to s full syn would work well but I would stay with the same viscosity. As to the oil filter I just use the standard one offered by Ford.
The Mountaineer is basically the same as the Explorer XLT with the exception of having full time AWD and the 5.0L engine. I might add, that even with that, we still average 21 mpg on the hiway with it. MPG has always been a pleasant surprise.:D
Mobil 1 5W20 is fine for your area. I use Mobil 1 in all my vehicles - and I spent a lot of years in Kansas City.
Modern day Fords use 5w20 oil, any thing heavier such as 10w30 causes valve lifter/cam follower clatter... I would never switch to synthetic oil unless the vehicle started its life on it as I have seen oil consumption problems arise from doing so. Any brand name oil filter, as WIX makes most of em...And I don't give a rats butt what it says on the bottle,Oil should be changed every 3000 to 4000 miles period........"36 years of daily busted knuckles"
castrol or valvoline 20w50 <sometimes straight 30> and a fram filter never failed me yet!