New 2011 Ford Focus

[VegasDan]

Hi,new guy here. Been working in LV for 5 years now, and just bought a new 2011 Ford Focus; nice little (mid-sized?) car. It was $3,000 less than the Fiesta, and I could not say no. Happy with it. I was told:
1. To change the 5W-20 factory fill ASAP, because it's too thin, and to remove the break-in metal filings from the engine.
2. Use 10w30 or 5w30 in the desert! - There's simply no winter in Las Vegas, and it gets to 110F in the summer. Lose the 5w-20.
3. Use synthetic or semi-synthetic, and change 6 months/5,000 Miles. Rotella "T6" 10w30, or Pennzoil 10w30.
4. Wife took control of our 2007 Hyundai Accent, 50K miles.
That car has been 10w30 Supertech Synthetic orPennzoil 5w30 since the start, and runs like new.

 

[addyguy]

You were told wrong. 5W-20 will work just fine in your new Focus, even in LV. It will also keep warranty hassles to minimum.

Trust us - don't listen to what you are being told!

 

[rshunter]

Follow the manual's advice, not the dealer's...

 

[VegasDan]

Any brand 5W-20? Does it matter?

 

[AuthorEditor]

Until it's out of warranty I would recommend sticking with whatever oil Ford recommends, which I believe is the Motorcraft 5W-20. A lot of folks on here love the MC 5W-20 in their Fords. Or choose something like Mobil 1 5W-20 for a bit more protection. After that, feel free to experiment. Rotella T6 is 5W-40, which would be too heavy for the Focus. T5 comes in a 10w30 flavor, but I think I would stick to auto oriented oils for the Focus.

 

[VegasDan]

Okay, Motorcraft it is.

 

[Steve S]

You really do not need a syn oil. Syn oils are for extended oil change intervals there is no advantage running syn oils at 5,000 mile intervals unless you live in the subartic. I always change the oil soon in a new engine for whay you posted. I also at 5,000 miles or a bit more change the trans /diff fluids in my vehicles. I changed my daughters 2010 Focus engine oil at 1000 miles and just did the auto trans oil and filter at 5,000 miles. the Focus sure seems like a wonderful car

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
Follow the manual's advice, not the dealer's...


Agree for the most part. I would do an early change out though. Id just use MC 5w-20, or else a syn of the user's choice. Keep records/receipts.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: VegasDan
Okay, Motorcraft it is.

It can usually be found at WalMart for a very good price.

 

[simple_gifts]

Good call on the 10w30; Ford probably totally forgot about Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico when evaluating oil suitability.

 

[tig1]

You can see what I use in both Duratechs. But whatever oil you choose I would stick with 5-20 or 0-20.

 

[ChiTDI]

Besides the correct oil, I'd use a Motorcraft filter as well. I also believe in the early oil change on the new engine. Glitter show.

 

[Johnny]

Motorcraft 5W-20 and a Motorcraft filter and you are good to go for the next xxx,xxx miles.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Good call on the 10w30; Ford probably totally forgot about Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico when evaluating oil suitability.

And those makers who spec 5-30 or 10-30, have forgotten about Minnesota, New York, and Maine?

 

[Hallmark]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Ford probably totally forgot about Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico when evaluating oil suitability.

One of Ford's North American Proving Grounds is located near Phoenix (Wittmann, a former Volvo hot weather testing facility).

 

[SuperFast]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Motorcraft 5W-20 and a Motorcraft filter and you are good to go for the next xxx,xxx miles.


+1

can not go wrong with this

was made for 5w-20

use watever 5-20 u want maybe prettiest color bottle ? beige, Edge maybe. or just MC

 

[chet2]

i would leave in new oil at for 3k cuz i think ford adds special aditives for break in..i have a 07 focus that runs great and gets 37mpg w/ a 5 speed and it does not burn any oil after 71k...thx for bying a focus, i work at a company that makes trans seal for them...i have used syn quite a bit because i am anal and cold weather

 

[Gene K]

The latest info I have is Ford does not use special additives (Other than the left over assembly lube) in new engines. Based on what I found when I changed the oil at 1000 miles on my 2011 5.0 I see absolutely no reason not to let the breakin oil go 2500-3000 miles. Their was very little in the way of break-in material even after straining it through a white cotton cloth. Just the slightest amount of gray powder similar to graphite in consistency.

Concur with MC 5W20 and MC Filter.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Besides the correct oil, I'd use a Motorcraft filter as well. I also believe in the early oil change on the new engine. Glitter show.


X2

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
You were told wrong. 5W-20 will work just fine in your new Focus, even in LV. It will also keep warranty hassles to minimum.

Trust us - don't listen to what you are being told!


+1! Ford did plenty of testing with 5W20 and it is fine for your engine even in Vegas. I do agree with changing the FF early to get wear metals out, but many people have left it in for a full OCI with no reported problems. Do what ever makes you happy.