HDEO in a Ford Focus

[Autografe]

I like to keep my logistics simple. I use 15w40 Rotella in my '79 Ford F-150 with a 302. I also use it in my '09 Triumph Bonneville. My question is how do you think it would do in my 2000 Focus? It has 175,00 on the single cam engine. I used Valvoline full synthetic 5w30 for the first 150,00 but have tended to use Valvoline white bottle 5w30 since. It leaks no oil and use only a tiny amount in between the 3000 mile changes. Inside of the engine is clean as whistle. I could, based on how the drive train is holding up drive it another 100,000 but unfortunately the rest of the car is falling apart. I just need about another 50,000 and I will be able to replace it. Any thoughts on using the Rotella in this high mileage engine?

 

[addyguy]

I've read here more than once that Ford engines don't seem to do well on really thick oils. A member here has a 2.0L Ford Contour that he ran 5W-50 Syntec in for a couple of years, and he said it ran noticeably better when he went BACK to the 5w30 the car specified.

You're honestly best to stick with the 5w30 that is speced for the car.

 

[CharBaby]

Autografe,
I would stay with the 5W30 motor oil and maybe change to dino just to cut cost. If the rest of the car is falling apart as you mention, a little cost cutting wouldn't hurt since a good dino motor oil will serve you well. You'll easily get another 50K out of the engine but, will the wheels fall off?

 

[Gunatics_Adler]

You might be able to use 10w30 HDEO in your focus, but thats about it. Many of the newer ford engines are either 5w-20 or 5w30.

 

[mechtech2]

That Focus Zetec engine does not have the variable exhaust cam.
It is less sensitive to oil thickness than those with it.
But you will notice a big drop in power going from 5-20 to 15-40.
Otherwise, no problems except for winter starting.
There is no need for that thick oil unless you have a very loose engine that is knocking or burning oil.
I'd use 5-30 in it.

 

[sdude2k2000]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
That Focus Zetec engine does not have the variable exhaust cam.
It is less sensitive to oil thickness than those with it.
But you will notice a big drop in power going from 5-20 to 15-40.
Otherwise, no problems except for winter starting.
There is no need for that thick oil unless you have a very loose engine that is knocking or burning oil.
I'd use 5-30 in it.


The engine he's referring to isn't a Zetec, but rather a CVH Split-Port Injection (or SPI as the tuners call it). The engine had originally been around since the 1980's in the Escorts', and was phased out in 2002. Ford DID have the Zetec DOHC engine available for the Focus starting in 2000, but as an "upgrade".

My wife drives the same car, and I ran some Delo 15w40 through it for an OCI... it didn't seem to mind it at all. Definitely hurt the gas mileage a bit, and this time of year I wouldn't do it, but during the summer it should be no big deal. Maybe thin it out with like 3 quarts of HDEO, 1 quart of "same-brand-dino" (i.e. Chevron Supreme in my case of using Delo).

Side note, I currently have Auto-RX in hers with Pennzoil 5w30 dino... about 300mi in. Plan on running some HDEO in the fashion I just spoke of for rinse phase (probably should have run it during the clean phase too... oh well).

 

[Rand]

it will hurt the mpg more for short trippers.

My GF did a monster paper route for 6monthes when she was out of work.

Her 2004 focus lost 0 mpg with delvac 1300(15w40) vs castrol start-up 5w30

It probably was around .1 to .2mpg but thats within variance and you cant really see that.


her 2004 focus also has the SPI, it seemed smoother and slighly less noisy.

 

[jstutz]

Being in georgia, you could run the HDEO and be fine. That said, it is unnecessarily thick and probably will offer little benefit. Stick to a namebrand dino and change it at normal intervals and the engine will probably outlast the car. Todays dinos appear to be pretty good oils.

 

[FastSUV]

5w40 Rotella-T syn might be a good one if you need a 5wt for cold temps...otherwise Mobil-1 HM 5w30 is the closest to an HDEO in a "regular" synthetic oil

 

[sdude2k2000]

Originally Posted By: Rand
her 2004 focus also has the SPI, it seemed smoother and slighly less noisy.


My bad... don't know why I put the engine was phased out in 2002, I knew it was 2004.

 

[3putter]

I'd go to a 5w30 High Mileage Oil myself for a beefier add pkg while maintaining a viscosity range the engine was designed for.

 

[Geonerd]

Go ahead and run the syrup, it won't hurt a thing.
The worst side effect: You might lose a tiny fraction of an MPG. Big whoop.

 

[Autografe]

Thanks for the input. But it may be a moot point. My brother gave me case of Valvoline 10w30 full synthetic. Since I can't beat the price I will use it. sdude2k2000 is right it is a split port engine. My old girlfriend put 260K on one in her old Escort wagon.