UK/EU Oil Specs vs US

[SweptVolume]

I checked my dipstick last week (what a pain to do with the strut brace where it is...) and found it was sitting close to the min mark. I've read that a lot of people receive their cars with oil on the lower side so I guess this is quite typical and it's perhaps burning/losing a little as it's a brand new engine.

I consulted the owner's manual to check what oil it recommends and instead of giving a simple weight rating, it lists various standards that are compliant. In fact, the whole page seems to contradict itself.

For example, it states: "We recommend Motorcraft motor oil for your vehicle." But goes on to say: "Materials - Ford-Castrol Magnatec - WSS-M2C950-A". So which is it?

Further, the filler cap and those over the pond all state 5W30 is the "normal use" oil grade for all but the coldest climates, which the UK is most certainly not. Yet "Ford-Castrol Magnatec - WSS-M2C950-A" is rated at 0w30.

It also says any oil that meets API SP or ACEA C2 requirements are fine but I can see these being sold in both weights, so that's no good either.

It's as clear as mud but I'm hoping the answer is that either weight will be fine and I'm overthinking it...

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[keithwalton]

I'd check with your dealer as to what they are going to use for service ...
Shop.ford.co.uk cannot find any oil compatible for my car it states both the 0w-30 and 5-30w castrol, and 5w-30 motorcraft as incompatible.
It could be that neither of these oils are API SP or GF-6A

The USA manual staes, FORD WSS-M2C-961-A1 which is both SP and GF-6A however in the UK it's only castrol branded, not ford-castrol.

It looks like the 950 spec was for the Gen 6 mustang as when i put my reg into castrol's oil finder it asks if i have an early or facelift gen 6 ... err no.

As a top up though it'll make little difference what you use. From what i've seen on oil analysis reports posted on here from USA cars, the factory fill has been on the thinner end of the spectrum.

 

[GrabThatBlue]

My German manual and dealer says

0W30 Ford-Castrol Magnatec WSS-M2C950-A

 

[markimark]

What oil did you go with in the end????

 

[SweptVolume]

This https://www.halfords.com/motoring/e...gnatec-stop-start-0w-30-c2-oil-1l-209934.html

It meets ACEA C2 and seems to be closest to what they said for Europe. I only put half a litre in to top it up.

Once it's out of warranty I may investigate going to a heavier cold weight, to match the US spec. I can well believe that we are persuaded into thinner oils to help with cold start emissions.

 

[markimark]

That is great - thanks so much.

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