Best Filter for '03 Ford Focus

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Bouncer

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I have recently become a fan of the Fram Ultra, but... I picked this '03 Ford Focus up over the weekend, and Fram does not make one for it. According to the little digital thing at Walmart, you can use a Ultra XG3600 on it. According to their site they only make the Extraguard and Toughguard. So I called Fram today, and he confirmed what their website says. Comparing the Toughguard and the Ultra specs online they are real close, but the Extraguard/Toughguard pressure is 14psi and the ultra is 12psi. I have feeling I could use it anyways, because dimensions are almost identical. However I don't want to mess something up, as these small Ford engines are new territory to me. The engine specs are 2.0L 16v DOHC Vin 3.

What filter do you all recommend for this engine? I will be running Mobil 5w-20 High Mileage oil, and doing OCI's between 5-7k miles. I don't care to run a filter 15k miles, but I do like how well the Ultra is constructed.

Thanks!
 
Either a Fram 3614 or 3600.

The 3600 is just a third longer,
same base and bypass pressure...

And Fram does make an XG3600...
 
Originally Posted By: Bouncer
I have recently become a fan of the Fram Ultra, but... I picked this '03 Ford Focus up over the weekend, and Fram does not make one for it. According to the little digital thing at Walmart, you can use a Ultra XG3600 on it. According to their site they only make the Extraguard and Toughguard. So I called Fram today, and he confirmed what their website says. Comparing the Toughguard and the Ultra specs online they are real close, but the Extraguard/Toughguard pressure is 14psi and the ultra is 12psi. I have feeling I could use it anyways, because dimensions are almost identical. However I don't want to mess something up, as these small Ford engines are new territory to me. The engine specs are 2.0L 16v DOHC Vin 3.

What filter do you all recommend for this engine? I will be running Mobil 5w-20 High Mileage oil, and doing OCI's between 5-7k miles. I don't care to run a filter 15k miles, but I do like how well the Ultra is constructed.

Thanks!


The 3614 will fit perfectly. It will just be a bit shorter. Personally, I would still use an Ultra3614 even though it says 3600. I think part of that is because when it was made a 3614 didn't exist.
 
I have been using the MC FL 910 on my Focus for several years now at 10K OCIs with excellent results.
 
All of the replies have been incorrect so far. VIN 3 is the Zetec, if I recall.

The Zetec needs a special oil filter that has a second ADBV. Well, it's actually in the reverse direction, so that it actually keeps some oil inside, by design. Purolator didn't feel like making it anymore, so Ford discontinued the FL2005.

The Fram part number is TG8316 (avoid the OCOD PH8316). Unfortunately, there is no XG8316, and when I emailed Motorking he said they were still working on it, but there is still no XG8316 available!

The funny thing is, Fram makes Mobil 1 filters, and they do indeed have a separate M1-211 for the Zetec. I don;t know why Fram doesn't just rebox the M1-211 and sell it under their own name as the XG8316.

Purolator part number L25230 and PL25230(there is no PSL25230). The funny thing is, Bosch is reboxed P1, and the Bosch 3425 is a reboxed PL25230, and Bosch Long Life is a reboxed Purolator Synthetic. Curiously, there is an L3425 but no PSL25230. There is no D+ for the Zetec (no D3425)

Your best bet is Wix. They even make a Wix XP 51315XP, available at Napa as the Napa Platinum 41315.

There is also the standard Wix 51315 (Napa Gold 1315)

Napa has them on sale this month for $9.99, and they have been running a second Saturday sale, buy one filter get one free, so you can always pick up two 1315's or two 41315's at a time and be good for the whole year.

If you're only doing 5-7k, get the Wix/Napa Gold. Since they can be hard to find and not always in stock (AFAIK, only the Zetec calls for this application), you may want to buy more than one at a time.

If you buy in bulk, go to filter1.com and get free shipping for any order exceeding $50 (they only sell Wix filters)
 
I have an 03' Focus SE with the 2.3 engine. I have been using the Fram Ultra 3614 for some time now.

Are you sure the 3614 dosn't fit your vehicle?
 
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Napa has them on sale this month for $9.99, and they have been running a second Saturday sale, buy one filter get one free, so you can always pick up two...
Is this happening at all NAPA stores or only selected ones? I need to pick up a new air filter for the Explorer and BOGO would be nice.
 
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog

The funny thing is, Fram makes Mobil 1 filters, and they do indeed have a separate Mobil 1-211 for the Zetec. I don;t know why Fram doesn't just rebox the Mobil 1-211 and sell it under their own name as the XG8316.


Champion Labs makes the Mobil 1 filters (as well as RP and Amsoil EA filters). They are now owned by the Fram Group, however there are some differences in design between the Champion Lab made filters and the Fram made filters (with the exception being the Fram Core is made by Champion Labs using their e-core design). So I don't think it is as simple as just taking the Mobil 1 filters and slapping a Fram name on them.
 
Originally Posted By: car51
It takes a FRAM tough guard #3614 as my 01' has the Zetec engine


Nope. It's 8316, according to Fram's catalog

You can search under 2001 Ford Focus, DOHC VIN #3, and/or cross-reference FL2005
 
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
All of the replies have been incorrect so far. VIN 3 is the Zetec, if I recall.

The Zetec needs a special oil filter that has a second ADBV. Well, it's actually in the reverse direction, so that it actually keeps some oil inside, by design. Purolator didn't feel like making it anymore, so Ford discontinued the FL2005.

The Fram part number is TG8316 (avoid the OCOD PH8316). Unfortunately, there is no XG8316, and when I emailed Motorking he said they were still working on it, but there is still no XG8316 available!

The funny thing is, Fram makes Mobil 1 filters, and they do indeed have a separate M1-211 for the Zetec. I don;t know why Fram doesn't just rebox the M1-211 and sell it under their own name as the XG8316.

Purolator part number L25230 and PL25230(there is no PSL25230). The funny thing is, Bosch is reboxed P1, and the Bosch 3425 is a reboxed PL25230, and Bosch Long Life is a reboxed Purolator Synthetic. Curiously, there is an L3425 but no PSL25230. There is no D+ for the Zetec (no D3425)

Your best bet is Wix. They even make a Wix XP 51315XP, available at Napa as the Napa Platinum 41315.

There is also the standard Wix 51315 (Napa Gold 1315)

Napa has them on sale this month for $9.99, and they have been running a second Saturday sale, buy one filter get one free, so you can always pick up two 1315's or two 41315's at a time and be good for the whole year.

If you're only doing 5-7k, get the Wix/Napa Gold. Since they can be hard to find and not always in stock (AFAIK, only the Zetec calls for this application), you may want to buy more than one at a time.

If you buy in bulk, go to filter1.com and get free shipping for any order exceeding $50 (they only sell Wix filters)


With all of this being said, FL400s is what Ford recommends and I have no startup rattle issues and my VIN is 3.

I don't know what the issue was when the vehicles first came out and used FL2005, but all I can say is that FL400s is dirt cheap and trouble free.

In addition to this, Walmart sells a oil cap wrench (also dirt cheap) that is a perfect fit for the FL400s.

For me, I just keep it simple.
 
I looked on Champion Labs site; they show the 2.0 using the PH400 and the 2.3 like mine using a PH 2835. Why not use the same filter for both engines? ;(
 
Champ Labs actually makes a pretty good filter for the Zetec. It is the same one as the STP filter that someone posted open pics for on here awhile back.
 
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