My cousin has a `97 Ford contour with about 100k on it. He bought it last fall and hasn't changed the oil yet. I'm going to take it to get it done at some point (not a priority for him), but was wondering what oil to use, as the car does seem to leave some oil spots. He doesn't check the oil, so I don't want it to be something that burns off. Ford called for 5w30, but I found that whoever changed the oil last (previous owner right before he bought it) used 10w30 (but I don't know what brand or type). The car sits outside in the winter and doesn't get any/much warmup. He also rides it pretty hard, even when it's cold. So, what conventional or maybe high mileage would you use for him and 10w30 or 5w30? I know that it doesn't ever get checked so I don't want it to leak too bad for him. What would you do?
My cousin's car: oil for a contour
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Maxlife 5w30 and a Fram Tough Guard
Me? I'd use Castrol GTX Magnatec 5W30 under those conditions.
Lets see:
-"I'm going to take it to get it done"
-"not a priority for him"
-"He doesn't check the oil"
-"He also rides it pretty hard"
"What would you do?"
Help someone else who gives a poop.
Unless he has damaging info on you, then the cheapest 5w-30 or 10w-30 you can find.
-"I'm going to take it to get it done"
-"not a priority for him"
-"He doesn't check the oil"
-"He also rides it pretty hard"
"What would you do?"
Help someone else who gives a poop.
Unless he has damaging info on you, then the cheapest 5w-30 or 10w-30 you can find.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Maxlife 5w30 and a Fram Tough Guard
+1
Maxlife 5w30 and a Fram Tough Guard
+1
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
Hey who knows that car could have hundreds of miles of life left!
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
Hey who knows that car could have hundreds of miles of life left!
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
Hey who knows that car could have hundreds of miles of life left!
Since 12/95 I've owned a MY 1996 Contour w/2.0L Ztec with the 5 sp manual transmission. It's been a great fun car to drive and extremely reliable for the last 107,000+ miles. Of course I've maintained it, that can make a difference. It's early life was synthetic and synthetic blend 5W-30 oil changes at 5,000-7,500 mile OCI's. Later in it's life I used only synthetic 5w-30 OCI's for 8,500+ miles over multiple years. However these were mainly highway miles. My last UOA was for PP 5W-30 run 24 months and ~8,800 miles with a Mobil 1 oil filter. The UOA came back with great low wear metals and lots of TBN left in the oil. In all it's miles I didn't use any real measurable amount of oil between OCI's.
Whimsey
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
Hey who knows that car could have hundreds of miles of life left!
Since 12/95 I've owned a MY 1996 Contour w/2.0L Ztec with the 5 sp manual transmission. It's been a great fun car to drive and extremely reliable for the last 107,000+ miles. Of course I've maintained it, that can make a difference. It's early life was synthetic and synthetic blend 5W-30 oil changes at 5,000-7,500 mile OCI's. Later in it's life I used only synthetic 5w-30 OCI's for 8,500+ miles over multiple years. However these were mainly highway miles. My last UOA was for PP 5W-30 run 24 months and ~8,800 miles with a Mobil 1 oil filter. The UOA came back with great low wear metals and lots of TBN left in the oil. In all it's miles I didn't use any real measurable amount of oil between OCI's.
Whimsey
I would say a cheap HMO. Quakerstate Defy or Mobil super High mileage for around $15 and Maxlife for around $16 right now. Or just go with the cheapest you can find since he doesn't care and get some Supertech HMO for $14.50.
The 5 speed is a big difference because the auto transmission can easily be the reason it goes to the junkyard
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
This coming from someone with an 04 Saturn Ion? Ha!
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
This coming from someone with an 04 Saturn Ion? Ha!
Any 5w30 or 10w30 will be fine for it. I'd suggest PP at Napa because it's on sale, and there's a rebate promo going on. While you're there, pick up a Napa Gold filter.
Originally Posted By: vikings916
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
This coming from someone with an 04 Saturn Ion? Ha!
Glass houses?
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
A Contour? 100% nitric acid is the only fluid suitable for it. Preferably in the form of a large tank of it that the car can be dumped into.
This coming from someone with an 04 Saturn Ion? Ha!
Glass houses?
any bargain 5w30 will be fine, with a motorcraft filter
Originally Posted By: Black_Thunder
any bargain 5w30 will be fine, with a motorcraft filter
+1
any bargain 5w30 will be fine, with a motorcraft filter
+1
Is it a 2.0 I4 or 2.5 V6?
If it's a four-banger Zetec, I would use the same VML red bottle I'm currently using on my Escort as this engine isn't hard on oil and VML is doing a nice job keeping the lifters as quiet as possible.
But if it's the V6, I would use something a little better, like the MaxLife full-syn, as even considering the age and resale value of the car, it still has a Porsche engine on the bay.
If it's a four-banger Zetec, I would use the same VML red bottle I'm currently using on my Escort as this engine isn't hard on oil and VML is doing a nice job keeping the lifters as quiet as possible.
But if it's the V6, I would use something a little better, like the MaxLife full-syn, as even considering the age and resale value of the car, it still has a Porsche engine on the bay.
To help slow oils leaks, you might want to buy "Liqui-Moly oil saver additive" and add it to whatever oil you choose.
Walmart sells 5qt bottles of Havoline high mileage for about $15. Chevron oils are excellent oils.
Walmart sells 5qt bottles of Havoline high mileage for about $15. Chevron oils are excellent oils.
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Maxlife 5w30 and a Fram Tough Guard
+1
Maxlife 5w30 and a Fram Tough Guard
+1
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