CODE TRIPPED FOR IMPROPER OIL AFTER CHANGE

[10chargers]

Greetings,

                    Just changed the oil and filter in my 5.7L 2010 charger 167K miles.   I use regular Advance Auto motor oil ( 5-20 weight, what the manufacture recommends).    I have used whatever brands over the years switching between brands but ALWAYS 5-20 weight.  I change the oil between 3-5 k religiously.    It tripped this code after last oil change that "improper oil " was in engine.  I checked several times and the oil is i the "safe" zone  on dipstick.     I just cleared the 4 times that code was tripped and will see what happens.   Any ideas what is causing this? 

[crj1968]

What is the code number?

I've never heard of such a thing.

[10chargers]

Yea    I though this was strange message also...   I cleared the codes just thinking this is nonsense...  I will see if occurs again ...  But I am sure others have seen this    Any help would be appreciated.

[Baldwinvette77]

P1521 - Incorrect Engine Oil Type. This DTC may set in high ambient temperature
conditions when the correct oil type (viscosity) is being used in the engine.

technical service bulletin (TSB) - 09-015-04 and 09-013-04 - says: "Vehicles with the Multiple Displacement System must use SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper operation of the MDS."

You said you switch brands often, i'd try mobil 1 or something and see if it goes away. Also what filter are you using? Hopefully not Fram, those things can cause oil pressure drops...

[10chargers]

Thanks for reply,

                            I have a Lincoln Navigator that takes the exact same oil filter. So I have been using Motorcraft for several years(to this point I thought filters were filters and I did not think it would matter much.  I bought Motorcraft thinking it would be better than the Advance Auto generic oil filter).  In all these super sensitive technology equipped cars nowadays I second guess myself all the time when I try saving a buck.   

                            So, am I hurting any part of the engine or sensors in any way running this oil?  Is this oil to thin?  too thick?   I can put in Lucas oil additive to satisfy this temperamental beast?  If it is 5-20 weight oil what would it matter what brand?  How sensitive can SHE be? Amazing...

[Baldwinvette77]

Theres an API rating on the back of the bottle you bought, SN is pretty much the rating for all oil today, but make sure thats what you have.

http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm

Basic rule of thumb is the heavy oil filters are better, lighter ones of the same size use cheaper materials.

and to answer your question of potential damage, if there are any parts in your engine that use oil pressure for activation, too thick of an oil can starve that part, too thin of an oil wont create enough pressure to activate it basically.

Im not personally familiar with the MDS system but hopefully someone who is can help.

[sccachallenger]

Is the MDS system behaving normally?
If it is, I wouldn't worry about it.
If not,drain the oil and put in something else, maybe the oil you used is labeled incorrectly.
be sure to let us know.

[John_Kunkel]

I'm guessing faulty oil pressure sending unit or low pressure due to lotsa miles.