I have decided that I would like to switch to synthetic oil in my 2009 ford focus. It has 35,000 miles on it and I was wondering what would be the best oil to run in it for my driving conditions. I drive 10-15 miles each way to school 3 times a week all together I drive about 200 miles a week all being short trips under 40 miles each way. When I drive home from school I drive 550 miles straight half down 55mph highways and half down 70mph highways. I also live in a climate that gets very cold winters. I have mods on my car and intend to keep getting power out of it so I want to have the best protection I can get. I do get into it every once in awhile but only when its warm but I am typically a pretty economical driver. What ever oil I end up using I plan on using pureone puralator filters. What are your recommendations for what type of oil best suits my driving and how long my oil change intervals should be.
Oil For 09 Focus
- Thread starter MattMartin
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Lots of good synthetics to choose from, depending on how they're priced where you are. When I decided to switch from dino to syn I started by price shopping and went from there. That led the oil I'm using now in my sig.
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Pennzoil Platinum would be my choice.
I have heard good things about Pennzoil platinum is that a PAO. Also what exactly makes made you think Pennzoil is the best choice. Does it hold up well to short trips in the cold? Also long 9 hour trips? What type of wear protection does it offer?
Most your trips are 10 miles or more is not considered short trips. I would choose any Synthetic with Pure One filter and do 2 oil changes a year. Pennzoil Platinum is a good buy at regular non sale price for $21 5-qt jug at Walmart.
Pennzoil Platinum is a stout oil that works well in a variety of applications. Priced well and easy to find.
You'd be fine changing every 5,000 or 7,500.
You'd be fine changing every 5,000 or 7,500.
My take is a bit different than the rest. My son has a 2010 Focus that is running Amsoil 0W20. Same kind of bumper to bumper daily driving as you are doing. Same temperature extremes.
If you A) don't want to crawl under your car that often to change oil (want a long oil drain) and B)are a "numbers" kind of guy, (that high 2.8 HT/HS of Amsoil 0W20 tells me, that you can "beat on it", if you want, with all your mods, in an attempt to make more power). Only Red Line 5W20 has a better HT/HS for a 20 WT oil (3.0).
Of course, you are going to pay a few more bucks for those two. As far as using over the counter oils, I like the new Mobil 1 5W20. New product data sheet says HT/HS is 2.77. This is higher than Mobil 1 5W20 EP. Mobil 1 5W20 EP used to have a 235C Flash point. It has now been "dumbed down" to 229. So Mobil 1 5W20 is the way to go here, in my opinion.
If you A) don't want to crawl under your car that often to change oil (want a long oil drain) and B)are a "numbers" kind of guy, (that high 2.8 HT/HS of Amsoil 0W20 tells me, that you can "beat on it", if you want, with all your mods, in an attempt to make more power). Only Red Line 5W20 has a better HT/HS for a 20 WT oil (3.0).
Of course, you are going to pay a few more bucks for those two. As far as using over the counter oils, I like the new Mobil 1 5W20. New product data sheet says HT/HS is 2.77. This is higher than Mobil 1 5W20 EP. Mobil 1 5W20 EP used to have a 235C Flash point. It has now been "dumbed down" to 229. So Mobil 1 5W20 is the way to go here, in my opinion.
As a Focus owner, I have two suggestions.....
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 (Ford's recommendation) which can be used both summer and winter. With your driving situation I would shoot for 7K +/- OCI's. PureOne filters are great.
If you perfer longer OCI's, I would suggest Mobil 1 5w20EP. Your OCI can go out to one year and/or 12K +/-. If you go this route, a Mobil 1EP filter (is an excellent long OCI filter) and would be better than a PureOne.
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Mobil 1 5w30 EP / OCI: 1 year or 12K +/-
Filter: Mobil 1 EP
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 (Ford's recommendation) which can be used both summer and winter. With your driving situation I would shoot for 7K +/- OCI's. PureOne filters are great.
If you perfer longer OCI's, I would suggest Mobil 1 5w20EP. Your OCI can go out to one year and/or 12K +/-. If you go this route, a Mobil 1EP filter (is an excellent long OCI filter) and would be better than a PureOne.
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Mobil 1 5w30 EP / OCI: 1 year or 12K +/-
Filter: Mobil 1 EP
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I don't really mind having short OCL but your advice is greatly appreciated its nice to hear from someone that has experience with the exact car. How HT/HS of pennzoil platinum? Also any thoughts to using MMO every once and a while? I usually add some lucas fuel system treatment to the tank every 10,000 but should I be using oil additives.
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Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
As a Focus owner, I have two suggestions.....
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 (Ford's recommendation) which can be used both summer and winter. With your driving situation I would shoot for 7K +/- OCI's. PureOne filters are great.
If you perfer longer OCI's, I would suggest Mobil 1 5w20EP. Your OCI can go out to one year and/or 12K +/-. If you go this route, a Mobil 1EP filter (is an excellent long OCI filter) and would be better than a PureOne.
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Mobil 1 5w30 EP / OCI: 1 year or 12K +/-
Filter: Mobil 1 EP
Ford recommending Pennzoil Platinum 5W20 - over their own house, Motorcraft brand? I'm from Missouri, and you'll have to "SHOW ME" that in writing.
As a Focus owner, I have two suggestions.....
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 (Ford's recommendation) which can be used both summer and winter. With your driving situation I would shoot for 7K +/- OCI's. PureOne filters are great.
If you perfer longer OCI's, I would suggest Mobil 1 5w20EP. Your OCI can go out to one year and/or 12K +/-. If you go this route, a Mobil 1EP filter (is an excellent long OCI filter) and would be better than a PureOne.
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Mobil 1 5w30 EP / OCI: 1 year or 12K +/-
Filter: Mobil 1 EP
Ford recommending Pennzoil Platinum 5W20 - over their own house, Motorcraft brand? I'm from Missouri, and you'll have to "SHOW ME" that in writing.
My 05 Focus has about 3000 miles on Valvoline Synpower now and I'm ready to change it out early with Pennziol YB because it gets dino for the winter. Being the owner of two 4 cylinder Fords I'm convinced they're not smooth running, idling engines. Previous fill of PP was smoother than the Valvoline.
tig1 likes M1. My son's fiance's Nissan Sentra is is so smooth on M1 I have to check the tachometer to be sure the engine is running! I'm going to try it next spring in my Focus.
tig1 likes M1. My son's fiance's Nissan Sentra is is so smooth on M1 I have to check the tachometer to be sure the engine is running! I'm going to try it next spring in my Focus.
Originally Posted By: MattMartin
I don't really mind having short OCL but your advice is greatly appreciated its nice to hear from someone that has experience with the exact car. How HT/HS of pennzoil platinum? Also any thoughts to using MMO every once and a while? I usually add some lucas fuel system treatment to the tank every 10,000 but should I be using oil additives.
I would stay away from MMO. Modern synthetic oils have everything needed to keep your engine running perfectly and for a long time with reasonable OCI's.
As far as a fuel system cleaner, Lucas may not be the best choice.
I've used RedLine Sl-1 with great success. Try it, I think you experience a great improvement in your Focus' power as well as a slight increase in MPG. I use a maintainance dose of 2 oz. every fill up.
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Oil: Mobil 1 5w20EP / OCI: 1 Yr. or 12K +/-
Fikter: Mobil 1EP / RedLine Sl-1
I don't really mind having short OCL but your advice is greatly appreciated its nice to hear from someone that has experience with the exact car. How HT/HS of pennzoil platinum? Also any thoughts to using MMO every once and a while? I usually add some lucas fuel system treatment to the tank every 10,000 but should I be using oil additives.
I would stay away from MMO. Modern synthetic oils have everything needed to keep your engine running perfectly and for a long time with reasonable OCI's.
As far as a fuel system cleaner, Lucas may not be the best choice.
I've used RedLine Sl-1 with great success. Try it, I think you experience a great improvement in your Focus' power as well as a slight increase in MPG. I use a maintainance dose of 2 oz. every fill up.
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Oil: Mobil 1 5w20EP / OCI: 1 Yr. or 12K +/-
Fikter: Mobil 1EP / RedLine Sl-1
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Originally Posted By: jorton
My 05 Focus has about 3000 miles on Valvoline Synpower now and I'm ready to change it out early with Pennziol YB because it gets dino for the winter. Being the owner of two 4 cylinder Fords I'm convinced they're not smooth running, idling engines. Previous fill of PP was smoother than the Valvoline.
tig1 likes M1. My son's fiance's Nissan Sentra is is so smooth on M1 I have to check the tachometer to be sure the engine is running! I'm going to try it next spring in my Focus.
Why do you use a dino for the winter? Not a "challenge" question at all -- just curious. I'd think that winter would be the best time for a syn.
My 05 Focus has about 3000 miles on Valvoline Synpower now and I'm ready to change it out early with Pennziol YB because it gets dino for the winter. Being the owner of two 4 cylinder Fords I'm convinced they're not smooth running, idling engines. Previous fill of PP was smoother than the Valvoline.
tig1 likes M1. My son's fiance's Nissan Sentra is is so smooth on M1 I have to check the tachometer to be sure the engine is running! I'm going to try it next spring in my Focus.
Why do you use a dino for the winter? Not a "challenge" question at all -- just curious. I'd think that winter would be the best time for a syn.
Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Originally Posted By: jorton
My 05 Focus has about 3000 miles on Valvoline Synpower now and I'm ready to change it out early with Pennziol YB because it gets dino for the winter. Being the owner of two 4 cylinder Fords I'm convinced they're not smooth running, idling engines. Previous fill of PP was smoother than the Valvoline.
tig1 likes M1. My son's fiance's Nissan Sentra is is so smooth on M1 I have to check the tachometer to be sure the engine is running! I'm going to try it next spring in my Focus.
Why do you use a dino for the winter? Not a "challenge" question at all -- just curious. I'd think that winter would be the best time for a syn.
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
And yes....why do you use dino in winter? Just asking...
Originally Posted By: jorton
My 05 Focus has about 3000 miles on Valvoline Synpower now and I'm ready to change it out early with Pennziol YB because it gets dino for the winter. Being the owner of two 4 cylinder Fords I'm convinced they're not smooth running, idling engines. Previous fill of PP was smoother than the Valvoline.
tig1 likes M1. My son's fiance's Nissan Sentra is is so smooth on M1 I have to check the tachometer to be sure the engine is running! I'm going to try it next spring in my Focus.
Why do you use a dino for the winter? Not a "challenge" question at all -- just curious. I'd think that winter would be the best time for a syn.
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
And yes....why do you use dino in winter? Just asking...
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Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Why do you use a dino for the winter? Not a "challenge" question at all -- just curious. I'd think that winter would be the best time for a syn.
I can't answer for him, but I've done that, too, on occasion. If I switch weights between summer and winter and expect fewer miles in the winter, I've tossed a dino in for the anticipated shorter OCI.
Usually, though, for me it's more miles in the winter than the summer, so I've done conventional in summer and synthetic in winter. I'm trying to stick to one oil all year, but what fun would we really have with that?
Why do you use a dino for the winter? Not a "challenge" question at all -- just curious. I'd think that winter would be the best time for a syn.
I can't answer for him, but I've done that, too, on occasion. If I switch weights between summer and winter and expect fewer miles in the winter, I've tossed a dino in for the anticipated shorter OCI.
Usually, though, for me it's more miles in the winter than the summer, so I've done conventional in summer and synthetic in winter. I'm trying to stick to one oil all year, but what fun would we really have with that?
I don't need to run synthetic at all. The temtation to upgrade is powerful and I satisfy it by running synthetic half the year. The severe season here is summer, the mild season is winter.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
The PYB label reads "7 out of 10 customers who use Pennzoil say their engines run smoother." I need to see if pyb will stop buzzing sounds in doors and dash.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
The PYB label reads "7 out of 10 customers who use Pennzoil say their engines run smoother." I need to see if pyb will stop buzzing sounds in doors and dash.
Dude this is an easy one.
Hmmm....you want syn. Modified. Yet you drive economically you say.
5000 to 7500 mile oci.
Whatever brand name synthetic xW20 is on sale.
Hmmm....you want syn. Modified. Yet you drive economically you say.
5000 to 7500 mile oci.
Whatever brand name synthetic xW20 is on sale.
Originally Posted By: jorton
I don't need to run synthetic at all. The temtation to upgrade is powerful and I satisfy it by running synthetic half the year. The severe season here is summer, the mild season is winter.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
The PYB label reads "7 out of 10 customers who use Pennzoil say their engines run smoother." I need to see if pyb will stop buzzing sounds in doors and dash.
If you're only doing 6000 miles you could pretty safely just leave the SynPower in all year. That's what I'd do.
I don't need to run synthetic at all. The temtation to upgrade is powerful and I satisfy it by running synthetic half the year. The severe season here is summer, the mild season is winter.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
The PYB label reads "7 out of 10 customers who use Pennzoil say their engines run smoother." I need to see if pyb will stop buzzing sounds in doors and dash.
If you're only doing 6000 miles you could pretty safely just leave the SynPower in all year. That's what I'd do.
Originally Posted By: uart
Originally Posted By: jorton
I don't need to run synthetic at all. The temtation to upgrade is powerful and I satisfy it by running synthetic half the year. The severe season here is summer, the mild season is winter.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
The PYB label reads "7 out of 10 customers who use Pennzoil say their engines run smoother." I need to see if pyb will stop buzzing sounds in doors and dash.
If you're only doing 6000 miles you could pretty safely just leave the SynPower in all year. That's what I'd do.
+1.....fully agree...be sure you use a good mid-priced filter like a Purolator PureOne.
Originally Posted By: jorton
I don't need to run synthetic at all. The temtation to upgrade is powerful and I satisfy it by running synthetic half the year. The severe season here is summer, the mild season is winter.
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Your changing out Valvoline SynPower with only 3000 miles on it?
Why?
That oil should be good for 5K to 7k easily.....IMHO..Its a waste of money and resources.
The PYB label reads "7 out of 10 customers who use Pennzoil say their engines run smoother." I need to see if pyb will stop buzzing sounds in doors and dash.
If you're only doing 6000 miles you could pretty safely just leave the SynPower in all year. That's what I'd do.
+1.....fully agree...be sure you use a good mid-priced filter like a Purolator PureOne.
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