Top 8 Best Oil for 5.4 Triton- Complete Reviews and Buying Guide of 2022

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Most Ford owners know their stuff after doing their homework. But some of you might still be confused about which oil the engine can take.

We agree that it can get challenging at times to pick motor oil for your truck engine. And, the market doesn’t make things any easier. If anything, all the brands only increase the confusion.

So, it kind of gets difficult to pick the best oil for 5.4 Triton engines

best oil for 5.4 triton

But, no worries. We decided to test out thirty different oils from different brands. Then we picked the top 8 depending on our tests. Now, we’re about to share our results with you.

You will also get a few buying tips and oil-changing tips towards the end of the page. I think those would be helpful if you’re new to this. We hope you’re going to become a pro gradually since everyone starts somewhere. 

Our Favorite Oils for 5.4 Triton

Here are the top three that got their deserved podium finish.

  1. Best High mileage oil: Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil
  2. Best synthetic oil for 5.4 Triton: Castrol 03063 GTX MAGNATEC Motor Oil
  3. Best synthetic blend oil: Quaker State Motor Oil

Quick Summary:

Comparison Table For 8 Awesome Oil for 5.4 triton

RANK

IMAGE

PRODUCT DETAILS

SHOPS

01

Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-20

  • Type: High mileage

  • Brand: Mobil 1

02

Castrol 03063 GTX MAGNATEC Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-20

  • Type: Full synthetic

  • Brand: Castrol

03

Quaker State Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-20

  • Type: Synthetic Blend

  • Brand: Quaker State

04

Shell Rotella T6 Diesel Engine Oil

  • SAE: 5W-40

  • Type: Full Synthetic

  • Brand: Shell Rotella T

05

Havoline 5W20 Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-20

  • Type: High Mileage

  • Brand: Havoline

06

Royal Purple 51520 High-Performance Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-20

  • Type: High performance synthetic

  • Brand: Royal Purple

07

Ford Genuine XO-5W30-5QSP Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-30

  • Type: Synthetic Blend

  • Brand: Ford

08

Motorcraft Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

  • SAE: 5W-20 

  • Type: Synthetic Blend

  • Brand: Motorcraft

Top 8 Best Oil for 5.4 Triton Reviews

Not that you know why you should get a specific type of oil for your Triton engine, it’s time to move onto the reviews.

01. Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

[Editor’s Choice]

Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-30
  • Type: High mileage
  • Brand: Mobil 1

The first on the list is this one from Mobil 1. After putting all the oils to the test, we thought this one came out on top as the best oil for 5.4 Triton engine.

It gives you a ton of options, and you can also customize the size according to your requirements. After using the oil in our Ford’s Triton engine, we were nothing short of impressed.

You’ll be getting some decent lubrication and good protection against wear. We also saw minimum sludge deposits.

You may also like: STP synthetic oil Review

The Pros:

  • Decent wear protection. We didn’t notice any wear on the engine during our testing phase.
  • Adds a layer of protection to the engine parts. You should be able to see an improved mileage. 
  • Reduced sludge. We also didn’t see any deposit during our 300-mile overall test run. 
  • There weren’t any leaks that we noticed. So that’s another added layer of protection.
  • Available in multiple consistencies. So you can pick the one that fits.

The Cons:

  • The “improved” formula might yield worse results than before. But it’s still a top performer.
  • We have a concern regarding its durability. But you can still expect long-term performance.

02. Castrol 03063 GTX MAGNATEC Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-20

Castrol 03063 GTX MAGNATEC Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-20
  • Type: Full Synthetic
  • Brand: Castrol

Up next, we have this one from Castrol. And the fun part is that you can get a 1-quart bottle or a giant 6-gallon bottle for this one. This one came close to the top spot. But we had to differentiate it somehow.

We noticed reduced wear on our Ford’s engine and a good extra layer of protection. It’s cool to see how the oil clings to the critical engine parts. Props to Castrol for this. If it weren’t for a couple of drawbacks, this could have been the best motor oil for 5.4 Triton.

The Pros:

  • Reduced sludge buildup. We didn’t notice anything too out of the ordinary.
  • The engine started fine in a low-temperature condition. So the low-temperature oil flow was working well.
  • Oil performs well under extreme heat too. 
  • It should be good for around 5000 miles. That’s a good number for an affordable oil like this.
  • Although it’s fully synthetic, we saw an improvement in the mileage.

The Cons:

  • You might face a couple of hiccups during cold starts. But I think it comes back quite well.
  • We think that the sludge protection was average.

03. Quaker State Motor Oil, Synthetic Blend 5W-20

Quaker State Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-20
  • Type: Synthetic Blend
  • Brand: Quaker State

Quaker State’s the third brand that we’re checking out today. It’s one of the few synthetic blends on the list. Some of us here were quite impressed with the wear protection of this one. Others thought that it was just average.

Another additive we like that wasn’t a gimmick was the added layer of protection against corrosion. That’s not something you get with many oils nowadays.

The Pros:

  • The corrosion protection is legit. We were impressed since we didn’t have to put extra effort into maintenance. 
  • We didn’t notice any engine wear throughout our testing. So we’re guessing that the wear protection did its job.
  • Our engine ran smoothly on the stop-and-go traffic. You shouldn’t have any trouble with your daily commutes.
  • It’s easy to pour this one. The handle design might have helped in this case. 
  • We didn’t notice any ticking sounds. So that’s a plus for any engine.

The Cons:

  • I think they could’ve added bigger sizes. But you always have the option to choose multiple.
  • You only get one viscosity grade. But if you need 5W-20, it’s what you get.

04. Shell Rotella T6 Diesel Engine Oil 5W-40

Shell Rotella T6 Diesel Engine Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-40
  • Type: Full synthetic
  • Brand: Shell Rotella

Finally, we have Shell Rotella in 8th place. Don’t think it’s a slouch just because it came in last. It’s still good enough to be on the list, right?

Whether it’s the improved wear protection or the good fuel economy, we think this is a good choice. We even had luck with the deposit control. I mean, it wasn’t perfect, but it works.

The Pros:

  • Decent wear protection. We didn’t notice any engine wear during our time of use.
  • The exhaust is protected from any poisoning or blockage. That’s a neat little trick that should go a long way.
  • The higher extreme temperatures didn’t seem to put a dent in performance. 
  • You will see an improvement in the fuel economy. An added layer of protection against engine wear is commendable.
  • We didn’t see too much sludge buildup. So I’ll take that as a plus.

The Cons:

  • You can’t choose a different viscosity grade. But this shouldn’t be a problem if you only need the 5W-40.
  • We saw a couple of hiccups in the low-temperature conditions. But I doubt this would be constant trouble for you.

05. Havoline 5W20 High Mileage Synthetic Blend

Havoline 5W20 Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-20
  • Type: High mileage
  • Brand: Havoline

Coming in at fourth place, we have this one from Havoline. The bottle stands out among the rest. And we liked that they offered options. You can even choose a different viscosity grade if you want. 

We didn’t notice any deposits during our testing period. And if you’re curious about the mileage, there was actually a decent improvement for our Ford truck.

Your engine life might hit a new high if you continue to use this one.

The Pros:

  • The deposit shield does its job. We didn’t see any sludge or deposits during the testing.
  • Decent wear protection. It isn’t excellent, as they say. But we didn’t notice anything going south.
  • We noticed a better fuel economy. So the oil must’ve been doing its job.
  • It’s available in multiple sizes. So you can pick the big one if you’re working as a professional.
  • You might be able to increase the life of your engine with this one. The flow of oil in lower temperatures is impressive.

The Cons:

  • Don’t confuse it with full synthetic oil. It’s not going to perform the same.
  • You can get better oils for cheaper. But it’s not the most expensive one at all.

06. Royal Purple 51520 High-Performance Motor Oil

Royal Purple 51520 5W-20 Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-20
  • Type: High performance synthetic
  • Brand: Royal Purple

We put this oil from Royal Purple in 5th place. Don’t worry, we had our reasons. It had a pretty striking appearance, but we don’t give points for that, unfortunately. 

We think that the availability of choices was a good thing. You can go for the 1-quart option or even buy the 5-Gallon version. Some of the additives, like the wear protection and improved compatibility, swayed us. But it had a couple of drawbacks too.

To know more about this, check out our Royal Purple oil review

The Pros:

  • You might see improved wear protection by using the oil. In the long run, this is a good positive.
  • We were able to test the oil for around six months. And the fuel efficiency saw a decent improvement.
  • If you pair the oil with ethanol-containing fuel, get ready to see decent improved compatibility.
  • The emission exhaust equipment sees improved protection. We’ve seen it work smoothly in crazy conditions.
  • We saw an improvement in fuel efficiency. So you might like this eventually in the long run.

The Cons:

  • Sludge protection could see an improvement. But we didn’t see any deposits under the hood.
  • We had a little issue with the engine noise. But I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a slightly louder engine noise.

07. Ford Genuine XO-5W30-5QSP Motor Oil

Ford Genuine XO-5W30-5QSP Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-30
  • Type: Synthetic Blend
  • Brand: Ford

Ford’s Motorcraft lineup offers some sweet offerings. But this one had to see the bottom half of the table. You might be thinking we weren’t fair since a lot of 5.4 Triton engines are with Fords. But let’s talk about it.

Well, this one’s on the pricier side since it’s from Ford. I think you can get better options. But this one’s still a wise choice when it comes to 5.4 Triton engines.

The Pros:

  • You get to pick different sizes. So you can either pick the 1 Quart bottle or the huge 5 Quart one.
  • The performance under critical temperature conditions was decent. We didn’t sense any hiccups.
  • The low-temperature oil flow is decent. You can rest assured during cold starts.
  • We didn’t notice any sludge buildup under the hood. So the added protection layer is working.
  • There weren’t any deposits that looked too prominent. So that’s a plus point.

The Cons:

  • It’s a bit on the pricier side. But if you want that reliability bias from Ford, I think it’s worth it. 
  • You can’t choose a different viscosity grade. But if you need the 5W-30 oil, you don’t need options.

08. Motorcraft 5w20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Motorcraft Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Product Specifications:

  • SAE: 5W-20
  • Type: Synthetic Blend
  • Brand: Motorcraft

In 7th place, we have this from Motorcraft. The Ford Motorcraft lineup is something a Ford owner blindly trusts. But I think there’s more to it than that. 

This one performed well during the cold starts. And we also didn’t seem to see any sludge buildup under the hood. The deposit protection and sludge resistance seemed to be working decently.

The Pros:

  • It’s a good synthetic blend with the positives from conventional and full synthetic oil. 
  • From our calculations, this should last you over 4000 miles. And you should change it after that many miles anyway.
  • The performance was decent during colder weather. We didn’t notice any sudden hiccups.
  • We saw a decent improvement in the fuel economy. This might seem useful in the long run.
  • There wasn’t any buildup of sludge under the hood. We also didn’t see any deposits, so that’s another plus.

The Cons:

  • The bottle doesn’t have any handles. So it might feel a tad inconvenient to pour it. 
  • The price isn’t very attractive. You have to buy the bulk amount, so it’s not a good value for money option.

Buying Guides

best motor oil for 5.4 triton

Now that we’re done with the reviews, it’s time to make the purchase, right? Well, no. Hold on a second. You should consider some factors before finally making that purchase. And here are a few of those factors. 

Capacity Matters:

The first thing that you should consider is the volume of the bottle of oil. Thankfully, most companies offer a ton of options for you to choose from. If you’re the proud owner of a Triton engine vehicle, then you shouldn’t need more than a small bottle.

It might be concerning if you don’t know much oil the engine gobbles up. But it’s fine. Don’t forget that a Triton engine can take around 7 Quarts of motor oil. So pick a size wisely. 

But if you’re running a garage that works explicitly on Triton engine repairs and oil changes, you’ll need more. And if you opt for the bigger bottles, the overall price that adds up might be lower compared to multiple small ones. So that’s something to think about too.

Check for The Viscosity Grades:

Up next, you have to see which viscosity grade you should take. While most Triton engines will take 5W-20 oils, some might even require the 5W-30 ones. 

If you have a 5.4 Triton diesel engine, the grade should be around 5W-40 and 15W-40. 

Standard gasoline engines have different viscosity grade requirements. It’s also the thickness or consistency of the oil that you’re looking at. The gasoline engines usually require the 0W-20, 5W-30, and 5W-20 grade oils. 

Which Type Are You Getting?

If you’re gone through the reviews, you’ve seen the types of oils already. But there are four types in total. The types are full synthetic, conventional, synthetic blend, and high-mileage.

All the types of oils have different priorities. And you should pick the type of oil-based on what you want. A high-mileage oil might give you a higher mileage. On the contrary, full synthetic oils might have a better price-performance ratio.

Some of the conventional oils are cheaper than full synthetic ones. And last, of all, you get the best of both worlds in the synthetic blend oils. We think this is a good sweet spot. 

The type of oil for 5.4 Triton engine differs a lot. So it’s for you to decide which one you would opt for. Most companies offer all the versions. So that’s quite convenient too.

Ever Thought About Additives?

If you don’t know already, the more famous brands contain some additives. These additives aid in the added functionality. Although some of them might be gimmicky, some others are functional.

Some oils have protection layers against rust, wear, or corrosions. You might see that some oils help reduce sludge and deposit buildup under the hood. These features are all nice to have, and your maintenance journey becomes a tad easier. 

Performance Rating Table

ProductSludge ProtectionExtreme Temperature Performance
Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil9.99.8
Castrol 03063 GTX MAGNATEC Motor Oil9.79.6
Quaker State Motor Oil9.59.5
Shell Rotella T6 Diesel Engine Oil 8.78.8
Havoline 5W20 Motor Oil9.39.4
Royal Purple 51520 High-Performance Motor Oil9.29.3
Ford Genuine XO-5W30-5QSP Motor Oil8.99.2
Motorcraft Synthetic Blend Motor Oil8.88.9

How to Change Oil on 5.4 Triton

Don’t get intimidated by this. The whole process is actually not too difficult. If you’re a proud Ford owner, you should be familiar with what’s under your hood. But it’s always safe to look at the owner’s manual to get the exact specifications.

We’re going to keep things short here. So you might need extra research if you’re too scared. 

  • First, gather the new filter, a wrench, an oil filter wrench, and a large empty pot. You’ll be using the pot to catch the oil underneath.
  • Release the drain plug of the engine. You should use an adjustable wrench to make things easier. 
  • Drain the oil onto the large empty pot and empty the Triton.
  • After draining, tighten the drain plug back up. Then pour the new oil that you bought into the Triton engine.
  • Make sure to lubricate the filter and install it. Start the vehicle and keep it running for ten minutes. That’s it, you’re done!

Have Any Questions?

Get your answers to the most asked questions about the oils for that beast of an engine here.

How many quarts of oil do I need for the 5.4 triton engine?

The 5.4 Triton engine has an oil capacity of 7 Quarts. It’s approximately 6.6 Liters. So pick the size of the oil depending on the engine capacity.

What weight motor oil should I pick for my 5.4 Triton engine?

It’s a powerful V8 engine. So a 5W-20 weight oil should be the perfect companion. You can see decent performances during the cold starts.

Can I use Motorcraft oil for my Ford truck?

Yes, you can go for the Ford Motorcraft oils. They aren’t the best in the business, but your truck shouldn’t face any practicality issues with the oil. But it’s good value if you think about it.

Would it be wise if I use 5W-30 oil for my Ford?

Both this and the 5W-20 rated oils have the same winter rating. So you shouldn’t have any trouble regarding the cold conditions. But if the engine needs the 5W-20, you shouldn’t try to get funky.

Will I get better mileage by using 10W-30 oils?

The answer is no. You will actually get worse mileage using the 10W-30 viscosity-rated oil. So I don’t think this would be a wise choice.

Final Verdict

We’re done with our part of the job. It’s your turn now. I think all of the oils that we suggested here have something to offer. Your Ford truck’s Triton engine should be happy to have any one of these oils inside it.

While some of the oils exceed expectations in terms of mileage improvement, others have some practical additives. So I know it can still get hard to choose any one of them. 

But I think with what we wrote, you’d be able to select the best oil for Triton 5.4 for your beloved vehicle. 

Be careful while changing the oils and drive safely!

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION

Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil

Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil

If you’re still having a tough time trying to select the best one, we’ll help. Go for the Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil. It’s the best on the list, and that’s why it’s on top.

We had the privilege to test it out, and the performance was more than decent. A good layer of wear protection is its key feature. You should be able to perform cold starts quite easily too. 

The low-temperature oil flow impressed us nonetheless. So I think it ticked all the boxes to top the list. And that’s the one we recommend.

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Robert Lozano

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