New Ford Full Synthetic API SQ Oil is out.

[DarkMatterGrey]

Bought a couple of cases today and am wondering if the oil is compatible with SP. I’m not wondering if it is compatible in the engine, but can leftover SP oil be mixed in with SQ as I have a couple of quarts left over.

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[D/\rK•650]

What is the story with this new oil? sq and sp?

 

[Skye]

The 7G requirement is SP or higher. It's OK to mix Motorcraft 5W-30 SP and SQ together.

In the API article, the tables show that the current category meets or exceeds previous specifications.

https://www.api.org/products-and-se...d-classifications/oil-categories#tab-gasoline

The following Chevron article gives greater detail on SQ.

https://www.chevronlubricants.com/e...nt/understanding-the-new-api-sq-category.html

"Both GF-7 and API SQ oils will be backwards compatible for vehicles using GF-6 and API SP oils."

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

"Both GF-7 and API SQ oils will be backwards compatible for vehicles using GF-6 and API SP oils."

This is the part I’m questioning. Is it the vehicle or the chemistry that’s compatible. I read it that if a vehicle calls for SP, it can take SQ as well. Not that the two specs can be mixed in large quantities.

My other vehicles take 0w-20. For those applications I’m using PUP. The new SQ has different information on the packaging (no longer states made from natural gas) and has a longer warranty length (not that that means a change in chemistry).

To be safe I’m not going to do it.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michae...il-update-new-sq-service-category-introduced/

Consumers are likely to find the new API SQ oil alongside older API SP on shelves. I asked O'Ryan if consumers may mix the two oil grades. "Yes, but API recommends consumers follow their vehicle manufacturer recommendations," he clarified. "Where ILSAC GF-7A and API SQ are recommended, the oils are designed to be backward compatible with ILSAC GF-6A and API SP or older oils. There is no issue with the two oil types being mixed.

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

I'm still on the fence with this oil stuff.. I've been using Pennzoil platinum for so long and it's been so good. It meets or exceeds all of the Ford specifications but obviously it doesn't have the little cocktail of Ford additives.

I'm going to buy two cases of the motorcraft today. Only at 500 mi. I'm going to do my first change at 1K. I'm still making up my mind if I'm going to go all in on motorcraft oil or just keep using Pennzoil Platinum like I did in my Subaru. I just bought a six pack of motocraft filters too.

 

[robvas]

Pennzoil Platinum >>> Motorcraft

Which filters did you buy? There an article talking about Motorcraft switching suppliers and the current filters having quality issues compared to the older ones.

Just buy Wix filters.

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

I purchased the FL 2127s. I wasn't going to go out of my way to find 500s's unless they fell into my lap. I just bought what RockAuto had in stock. Wix has always been my backup. Their air filters worked really well too

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

I'm still on the fence with this oil stuff.. I've been using Pennzoil platinum for so long and it's been so good. It meets or exceeds all of the Ford specifications but obviously it doesn't have the little cocktail of Ford additives.

I'm going to buy two cases of the motorcraft today. Only at 500 mi. I'm going to do my first change at 1K. I'm still making up my mind if I'm going to go all in on motorcraft oil or just keep using Pennzoil Platinum like I did in my Subaru. I just bought a six pack of motocraft filters too.

Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (PUP), which are different? Assuming PUP, the old "SP" stuff was GTL (made from natural gas), the new "SQ" doesn't state it specifically, so it could be a different animal all together. I use PUP in our 0w-20 vehicles (as Mopar Oil is hard to find). And because the Shell Pearl GTL factory in Qatar was hit in a strike, it may be off line for a while. So after I got home from loading up on PUP, I realized it was SQ and didn't state made from natural gas. Back to marketing over chemistry?

For the Fords, I use their Motorcraft Full (not Semi) Synthetic, which is really hard to get where I live (RockAuto pulled out of AZ). Dealer sells it for $9.32 per quart (only size it comes in). Note semi-syn is available everywhere in 1 and 5 qt containers. With the same level of paranoia as GTL and PUP, I decided to load up on Ford's own brew since the overall lubricant and additive industry is in turmoil (see link below). It too was the new stuff "SQ" vs. "SP". Thus the original post/ask.



New SQ

Old SP

Ugh, I started another Oil Thread

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

I'm buying in bulk from RockAuto as well. It seems to be the most competitive from a price standpoint. Most of the brick and mortar retailers here, including Amazon sell the semi-synthetic stuff. Our Ford dealers mark up prices on all of their parts because it's the "California Bay Area". I had a long discussion with the parts manager the week I bought the car. She told me if I buy directly from Ford and have it delivered to the dealership that I can get it for the lower price. Ridiculous game. First world problem. .

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

I just purchased 3 cases from RockAuto.

They said it's currently subject to a short delay. That's fine with me. If they send me SP that's fine. If they send me SQ that's ok too.

What's in my car now? No idea. New car... If I know Ford it's probably semi-synthetic. Moving forward it's going to be full synthetic. I set my own service intervals which will be much sooner than whatever Ford recommends. I do this for oil, coolant, filters, plugs, belts A/T, Diff fluids, etc. This philosophy has always worked for me. Car is going to be fine. SP or SQ. Either one will work.

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

I just purchased 3 cases from RockAuto.

They said it's currently subject to a short delay. That's fine with me. If they send me SP that's fine. If they send me SQ that's ok too.

What's in my car now? No idea. New car... If I know Ford it's probably semi-synthetic. Moving forward it's going to be full synthetic. I set my own service intervals which will be much sooner than whatever Ford recommends. I do this for oil, coolant, filters, plugs, belts A/T, Diff fluids, etc. This philosophy has always worked for me. Car is going to be fine. SP or SQ. Either one will work.

If this is your first oil change, it's without a doubt semi-synth. Possibly with a mysterious additive to keep the typewrite/BBQ tick at bay. So look out for that upon start up.

Also, if you plan on doing it yourself, there's a not so fun belly pan you may have to remove (unless they finally put in a filter access door). There's more than a dozen little screws as well as 2 each of 2 different types of push pins, one of which I can not take out intact, so I have several bags of replacements.

Lastly, it wouldn't matter if it's SP or SQ, my question wasn't centered around that compatibility, but if there's left over SP after buying cases of oil (buy 12 need 9.5), can they (SP and SQ) be mixed at bigger ratios than the trace amount left over after a drain.

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

Thanks @DarkMatterGrey,
I've got a single piece engine cover, no access door. I think it's 7 bolts and 3 push-pins. I've already sourced them on Amazon and am going to order a pack of spares. I have filters and am ready to do the bag method for no drips. I've got ramps, stands, jacks and pads too. I'm ready. I'm going to grab some SVE jack pads and a J&L catch can next.

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

Just an update. I finally got around to opening my RockAuto shipment. I ordered three cases of Motorcraft 5w30 and I got three cases of the new SQ. ... So if anybody wants Ford's latest brew, that's a great place to get it.

 

[Ewags81]

grab some SVE jack pads

love mine. got a bargain set on ebay from lmr or similar mustang retailer. must have been a return or something. they are overpriced at full retail, but they won't come out of the jack cup. definitely awesome if you add side skirts. ps... i just use a section of an old pizza box and make a chute to direct the filter oil to the drain pan. i'll check out the bag method but it sounds hot and sloppy if anything goes wrong

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