What type of oil do you use?

[j-lu]

I just bought a 2001 Windstar. The guy we bought from just had it changed at Wal-Mart and is unsure of the oil type they used. He thought 5-20 in the winter and 10-30 in the summer. Does anyone have any input on this?

Thanks!

[Flyingjackal456]

If it has higher mileage (120+k) (or burns or leaks oil) try 10-40 in winter 10-30 summer
If the van it relatively low miles or there is no known oil burning... 10-30 winter 5-30 summer

I use Mobil 1 full synthetic every 6-7k, up to around 130,000 miles. After that I use Castrol High mileage, which is changed every 3,500 miles.

Synthetic is great for 2 reasons:
* In some cases... You can leave it in for 10,000 (i recommend 6,000 to 7,000)
* The synthetic protects better due to it being designed with higher viscosity (oil grabs on to gears and stuff better)

But, in older engines you don't want to leave oil in for 6,000 - 7,000 miles due to sludge and the engine "falling apart". So when I notice the oil is coming out black (usually around that 120,000 mile mark) I switch to Regular oil and change every 3,000 miles. You can continue to use synthetic oil... but why waste money if you change it that early?

You don't have to follow my advise, but I've owened several cars that have surpassed the 200k mark.