Just wanted to know if I can safely use 5w30 in my 06 Freestar. Manual says 5w20, but it's hard to get in synthetic. Any ideas?

Thanks!

In my opinion and other experts who I have talked to there should be no problem using 5w30. I think Ford uses the thinest oil possible to improve fuel mileage. I personally use the 5w30 in my automobiles because I think it offers a little more protection, especially in these hot driving conditions here in Texas, and any change in fuel consumption is to small to be noticed.

5W20 is what the engine recommends due to the close bearing tolerances. Use 5W20

I have had difficulty find 5w20 in regular blend oil. I used to use only Valvoline. I have switched to Motorcraft synthetic blend as it seams to be easier to find.....or maybe Walmart just stocks it more regularly. PS I live in New Jersey very few walmarts.

Ford started using the 5W-20 to reduce fuel comsumpion in order to meet the CAFE requirements and also to reduce hydrocarbon outputs by up to 400 tons/year. The use of a 5W-30 or 10W-30 motor oil is fine in your engine. I have run AMSOIL0W-30 in my 04 Limited since new. The lighter oils remove and disapate heat faster than heavier oils. AMSOILs 0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils all meet the Ford engine requirements. Engine component clearances are no closer today than what they were 10 years ago. Just use a good quality oil as you get what you pay for.

As a retired engineer I do have to agree with Mulletman as the clearances in an engine have certainly advancedin the last ten years, closer and better machining. Something could be said for better fuel consumption but this IMHO would be very little.
So I am using 5W20 and I do not see any need to use synthetics unless you like to spend more money than necessary.

Jakers, not to cast any shadows on your response....BUT...you're a retired engineer and you you see no need to use a sythetic lubricant? What are you a retired engineer of? A synthetic is far superior than a petrolium product any day. Even the cheap synthetics are better. The average increase in fuel mileage gained by using a synthetic more than pays for itself. Let alone the numberous other advantages of using a synthetic.

I sure do not want to get into a discusion about the different oils but if you think using synthetic oil will pay for itself as far asmore miles per gallonyou are missing the boat and throwing your money down the drain. End of story. Have a great week-end.

So what is your real world MPG on your Freestar with non-synthetic oil? I bought my 04 Limited new and have 38,000+ miles of documented MPG on petrolium oil, synthetic oil, water injection and running P225/75R16 HANKOOK HPW401 snow tires year around. Long trips, short trips, different seaons,with outwater injection, with water injection, different ratios of distilled water/99% alcohol, stock intake, cold air intak, warm air intakeand so on. I'll be changingthe oil in my Freeestar this week-end and will be using AMSOIL's new 0W-20 Synthetic. This is my choice.