Ford says use 5w20 now

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Ford says to go ahead and use 5w20 now, even if they originally said to use 5w30. Honda basically did the same thing on d-series motors, doesn't matter if the motor was in a crx or a jet ski, it is basically the same sohc 1.5 to 1.7 liter motor. This was of course for emissions. However on some performance motors like a s2000, type r , si, type s they kept it 5w30. I wouldn't put 5w20 in the Lima and I doubt many of you would but it is interesting when you look at what is on the list and what is not on the list. Nothing from the 80's is listed, and no 92 thunderbird or 92 ranger but 91 town car is on the list and 92 crown vic is there.
https://www.ford-cruising.hu/miscimages/0219.pdf

[Ed Lijewski]

For Merkurs (MYs are not included in the list) the TSB says to use 5W-30.

YMMV

[taylor0987]

"IF VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THIS APPLICATION, SAE 5W-30 OIL IS RECOMMENDED." so you're right, still 5W-30 for XR and Scorpio.
Since this notification came out in 2002, Ford has released other models that require 5W-30, for example my 2013 Ecoboost F150 and my 2018 Ecoboost Mustang.