09 Ford Focus Recommendations

[walk23]

Bought a used '09 Ford Focus for my daughter away in college. I'd like to do an oil/filter change with a new air filter. Looking for recommendations. This is her first car and has no clue on maintaining one. Thinking of synthetic for allowances. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[DrDusty86]

Air filter/ fuel filter. Motor craft are always good. Get a name brand synthetic with a motor craft oil filter. If its an Auto I would do a pan drop and change the filter. Also drain and refill the coolant AND coolant recover tank-making sure its full. Check the brakes. Also check tires for condition and pressures. Load test the battery. Check the wiper blade condition.
Their is more I'm sure..
Dusty

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Air filter/ fuel filter. Motor craft are always good. Get a name brand synthetic with a motor craft oil filter. If its an Auto I would do a pan drop and change the filter. Also drain and refill the coolant AND coolant recover tank-making sure its full. Check the brakes. Also check tires for condition and pressures. Load test the battery. Check the wiper blade condition.
Their is more I'm sure..
Dusty



agreed with all of that but if you are wanting it to be able to go extended drains if needed maybe a bosch distance plus or Mobil 1 filter would be better....

 

[DrDusty86]

True... Where is she starting college?

 

[Bill in Utah]

How many miles on the rig? 2009 will have a 60k warranty so she needs to follow the manual for OCI.

What type of use? Personally I'd use the excellent Motorcraft 5w-20 (or any 5w-20 since they are semi-syn) and filter.

Excellent time for her to LEARN the responsiblity of owning a vehicle. She is not too busy to get the oil changed on time.

I'm in the same boat with my Daughter. She gets the oil changed on time (by having me do it) by letting me know when its due.

Take care, Bill

 

[DrDusty86]

I would tell her oil change every 5k That way she will end up getting it done 7-8k. Manual says 7500 correct?

 

[walk23]

I believe the manual does say 7500 mile OCI. She's attending Stephan F. Austin in Nacogdoches about 220 miles away, second year. Done well so far so a car was in order. 31K on unit

Thanks for the quick replies.

 

[daves87rs]

Every 5k with MC sounds good...

 

[Oregoonian]

Agree with the suggestions of:

Motorcraft 5w20 Blend.....and an OCI of 5 to 6k.

Filter: Motorcrafts are good....but you might want to upgrade to a Purolator PureOne....Purolator has a great rebate going on right now (www.Pureoil.com)....a $3 rebate per filter (up to 4).

With 31K on the unit....its time to change the transmission oil and filter. Mercon V is OK....but for a longer OCI....you might consider Mobil 1 Synthetic. Should be able to go 40 to 50k on the M-1.
_____________________________________________
03' Ford Focus (2.3L Duratec PZEV) / 99k
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 / Puro PureOne 10241 / OCI: 8,000 +/-

 

[walk23]

On first inspection, changed the air filter with a Purolator Gold. The oil looked to be recently changed but have a P1 on hand and Castrol 5W-20 Syntec, only $21 at Wal-Mart when she does get home. The transmission fluid was clean so I will wait till Thanksgiving. Did buy Valvoline Complete Fuel System Cleaner for our trip off to college and me carrying all the gear tomorrow. Looks like the car was recently service.

 

[walk23]

On first inspection, changed the air filter with a Purolator Gold. The oil looked to be recently changed but have a P1 on hand and Castrol 5W-20 Syntec, only $21 at Wal-Mart when she does get home. The transmission fluid was clean so I will wait till Thanksgiving. Did buy Valvoline Complete Fuel System Cleaner for our trip off to college and me carrying all the gear tomorrow. Looks like the car was recently service.

 

[tig1]

M1 works very well in Duratechs. My engines still look like new through the oil fill hole.

 

[sdude2k2000]

I just did a used oil analysis of Motorcraft 5w20 on my V6 Fusion (see the used oil analysis section)... came back AMAZING. I've had two Duratec's in the past and both were very easy on oil (one in a Mazda 3, the other in a Mazda MX-5). 5k intervals on Motorcraft should be no problem (unless she has some crazy driving style). If you want to run a synthetic, Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra get my votes.

Approx $15 for Motorcraft... $25 for your choice syn (assuming you use Wal-Mart + 5qt jugs). Stick with the Motorcraft filters... $3-$4 at Wal-Mart and they have the bypass valve at the threaded end per Ford spec. FL-910S is the model you will need. Oh, and in regards to air filters... I will say that when I recently changed both of mine, I went for a WIX filter -vs- stock, and I feel it is a MUCH better made filter. Much more snug fit & seal in the airbox.

 

[walk23]

Heading to WalMart for the MC F-910S and a 5W-20 motor oil. The car was recently serviced. Good point on the thread end bypass which I prefer. Looks like dads get new maintenance requirements, translated more costs, with daughters.

 

[someguy]

Thats awfully nice of you, sounds like it was a lease car with those low miles. Should be very little needed for a few years. Don't forget the fuel filter, I think its still the little can style on the 09 models, easy to replace.

 

[walk23]

Thanks.