Should the Ford Escort use 5W30 or 5W40 engine oil?

[ManuelLynn]

The Ford Escort uses Ford's semi-synthetic engine oil with a viscosity grade of 5W-30. Taking "5W-40" as an example, when looking at the engine oil grade, focus on two main values. The first is the primary grade, which is the "5W". The W stands for Winter, and it includes grades like 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, and 25W. The smaller the number before the W, the better the oil's low-temperature fluidity, indicating it can be used in lower environmental temperatures and provides better engine protection during cold starts. For instance, 5W means the oil can function down to -30°C. The second value is the number after the W, which represents the oil's viscosity at high temperatures. A higher number indicates higher viscosity, which offers better engine protection but results in higher fuel consumption, and vice versa. Choosing the right engine oil depends on the engine type. For example, naturally aspirated engines can use mineral oil, which is sufficient for their needs. Turbocharged engines, on the other hand, should use semi-synthetic or full-synthetic oil for better engine protection.