I think either oil would suffice for you. I live just south of you below the Mason-Dixon and I run 5W-40 in my trucks.
Be advised; Ford has issue with using the Rotella (and many other oils) with the new "CK" classification. The "CJ" oil is still approved. Supposedly this oil causes extreme bearing wear, so be careful which oil you put in your truck as it could void your warranty.
Changing oil shouldn't be this complicated!

Here's a link to a thread that has an approved oil list. http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/general-6-7-discussion-2017/1247218-lordy-what-oil.html

 

Changing oil shouldn't be this complicated!

Truer words could not be spoken!

This whole process of product labeling is confusing and misleading (IMO). For example, you can go to the Ford approved list of oils and you won't find Amsoil anywhere on the list. Yet, Amsoil proudly boasts that it meets the WSS-M2C171-F1 specs. So if you had a motor warranty claim and used Amsoil, that would give Ford the ability to deny a warranty claim. So in this case, who gets holding the bag? You? Is Amsoil going to pay the claim?

You are right @RJC2....this is too complicated and some poor customer(s) is/are going to be caught holding the bag someday. Personally I feel that oil manufacturers, like Amsoil, should not be allowed to state it meets the WSS-M2C171-F1 specs unless Ford approves it. That way you won't have to worry about referring to a magical list from Ford which I swear doesn't change. Or another option is that if Ford denies a warranty claim due to incorrect oil, then Amsoil (or whomever claims to meet the specs) should pony up.

Ugh.

 

Thanks guys, I'm going to go with the Motorcraft 5W40 then.

 

IMO, that's a good weight and a good bet on the Motorcraft brand. Since you are doing the change yourself, keep your receipts.

 

There are "meet specs" oils and there are "approved oils". Only oils approved by the manufacturer have been submitted and approved (and the oil companies have paid for the process). Right or wrong, to each their own on what is best for their situation.

10W30 should provide slightly better fuel economy. 5W40 will be better at cold start. For those who don't know: Remember that the 10W or 5W is just the cold start rating (W is for winter, not weight). Once the engine reaches operating temperature you can ignore the W rating altogether. You now are in the second part of the multi-grade oil (30, 40). So a 0W20, 5W20, 10W20 all operate at the same viscosity once warmed up. Difference is the viscosity at cold start. And this is why a 10W30 will afford you a bit more fuel economy than a 5W40, as the viscosity is a bit thinner.

 

There are "meet specs" oils and there are "approved oils". Only oils approved by the manufacturer have been submitted and approved (and the oil companies have paid for the process)..

Good clarification on meets vs approved. Unfortunately, using an oil that meets but is not approved can result in a warranty claim being denied. And this is my beef in that oil manufacturers should not be able to label something as meets unless it is verified by the owner of that spec and in this case, Ford owns WSS-M2C171-F1. So going back to my previous example, is Amsoil (who claims to meet the spec but is not on Ford's approved list) going to pay the claim if Ford determines that the issue was due to improper oil? Probably not and that means the consumer is stuck in the middle.

This whole thing is a mess....

 

I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree.

Ford has been clear to use only approved oils in the 6.7s as per their approved list chart updated as of 6/20/17: https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/additionalinfo/dieseloilsWSSM2C171F1.pdf

People can do whatever they want ---- pee in a bottle and label it meeting Ford spec WSS-M2C171-F1 for all I care. But for now, while my $80k rig is under warranty, I'm not risking it nor do I have the means to hire attorneys to fight Ford for warranty claim denial. Yep---I'll play the game until my 8 year warranty is over.

 

I'm never one to tell people how to spend their money - you do what's right for you and your rig!

I will agree Ford is very clear, the owner's manual is your document stating "recommended" for the WSS spec. NOT REQUIRED. This document does not leave room for interpretation - it is your guide telling you that they recommend their spec, but they don't require it.

The meets spec list you link to is only the list of submitted oils to be listed on Ford's meets specs list, not a list of REQUIRED oils. The document doesn't list anything as required.

Now, if you can show me where REQUIRED is listed anywhere, you may convince me.

Another telltale sign is the brands listed, A LOT of them are marketed as house brands and regional blends - that is indicative of Ford's spec being similar to API specs - otherwise a lot of the lower end blenders would not have the formulations and cash to tweak their blends to meet unique Ford specs.

Additionally, automotive manufacturers using their own "spec" can be identical to API, ILSAC, and ACEA specs - but creating their own specs are a major revenue stream for them (1) because it scares people into using OEM branded oils (Motorcraft, Dexos, etc.); and (2) it forces oil companies to pay for "approval" listings.

But again, your rig, your money, your piece of mind. I'm biased anyway, I sell Mag1 (Warren Distribution on the Ford list), Castrol, Liqui Moly, among other brands.

 

Ding Ding Ding,,, Okay, both you boys get in your corners and don't come out until you hear the bell for round 2.
Seriously, this has been an educational dialog that has remained civil (for once). Hats off to both of you.
Now if we could just get Congress to do as much.

 

We're civilized mamma jammas! Congress, not so much!

I'm just trying to make sure those who read the thread have some extra info to consider.

But seriously, I'm totally in support of jd4010's angle of covering his six. Anyone who isn't comfortable with meets spec, acceptable for use, approved, and OEM recommendations vs. requirements should definitely stick to what they think is right.

What's good for one guy isn't always good for the next. And another man's money, woman, and rig should never be jacked with!

 

First Ford uses the word 'approved' or "meeting" in the title.

Diesel Motor Oils Meeting Ford WSS-M2C171-F1

approved Diesel Motor Oils Meeting WSS-M2C171-F1


Then they switch that to 'recommend' in the body of their documents.

"Ford will not be recommending the use of CK-4 motor oils in any Ford diesel engines, new or old."

"Ford now recommends using oils that meet our OEM specification, Ford Material Engineering Specification WSS-M2C171-F1. "


However, I would change that to 'strongly recommend'.

" Ford testing has shown some CK-4 type formulations have shown inadequate wear protection compared to CJ-4 formulations "


Finally, they come out and say it, 'should not use' and also 'approved' again.

"The customer should not use oils labeled CK-4/SN unless they have been approved by Ford Motor Company to meet WSS-M2C171-F1. "


To me, 'should not use' is pretty clear. Also, 'inadequate wear protection' makes it pretty clear to me that it would behoove me to use the oil Ford approves/recommends. It's not like there are only a handful of oils on the list. It is an extensive list, even though a lot of oil brands are made by the same company. Not sure why anyone would want to deviate from the list. There are plenty of options and price ranges.

 

I think there's a lot of confusion for some. But we're blending two different issues here.

First, use an oil that meets Ford's WSS specs for your rig. No matter what. Whether on the recommended list or not, use one that specifically meets the Ford spec. If you don't know how to determine suitability, USE OEM approved/recommended oils. If it doesn't say it meets the spec, it doesn't have the >1000ppm phosphorus Ford is requiring with their spec.

Second, do NOT use CK-4 oils unless specifically approved/meets specs. Ford issued clear statements that CK-4 and FA-4 are not to be used in any Ford Diesel engine without their spec being met. Ford is continuing to recommend CJ-4 oils w/ more than 1000ppm phosphorus. Problem is some CK-4 oils have <1000ppm phosphorus, and Ford believes this is causing their wear.

"Like many other diesel engine manufacturers, with their own internal OEM specification, Ford will now be recommending oils that meet an OEM specification, Ford Material Engineering Specification WSS- M2C171-F1. The customer should use an oil showing that it meets this specification.

An oil showing CJ-4 in the API donut without showing CK-4 would be acceptable for service even if not showing WSS-M2C171-F1. This oil would most likely be an older CJ-4 formulation, developed and licensed prior to 2016. These oils could be around for about a year after CK-4 licensing begins, December 1, 2016. Field experience and Ford testing has shown that these older CJ-4 formulations provide acceptable 6.7L engine protection."

So use oils that meet the specs, and CJ-4 is okay for now too...until they figure out API designations (they're looking at calling <1000ppm a CK-4 Low Phosphorus and then having a standard CK-4 which will have >1000ppm).

ftp://ftp.astmtmc.cmu.edu/docs/dies...docs/diesel/hdeocp/minutes/2016/att 7 Ford Position on CK-4 and FA-4 120616.pdf
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrica...nts.com/main/additionalinfo/Ford Motor Company CK-4 FA-4 Position Statement.pdf