I bought my 2000 Focus as "program car" in Jan 2002 with 20,000 miles on the clock.It has an auto with the single cam (Escort)engine. My OCI was 5,000 miles always using 5W-30 Synpower. About 2 years ago my living situation changed and I could no longer change my own oil. So at about 150,000 miles I started using a local shop and went to 5W-30 GTX due to the high cost of not using their bulk oil. The car has 165,000 on it now and still uses no oil between changes. I am now in a position to resume my own oil changes and after lurking about the forum for some months have decided to go with the MC semi-synth as it is pretty cheap at WM. My question is 5W-30 is specified but my buddy with a similar car Has been been using 5w-20 with good results. He claims a nearly 2% mileage increase since switching from 5W-30. Any real downside to the 5W-20 in this case.
Oil for 2000 Ford Focus.
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Originally Posted By: buster
I would use Motorcraft 5w20.
His car is the SPI (SOHC) variant of the 2.0L... it does not have the 5w20 backspec as the DOHC versions do.
I'm currently running Motorcraft 5w30 in my wife's '00 Focus with the SPI engine. Next run will be Mobil 1 5w30 High Mileage to do some cleanup as she definitely neglected the oil changes (and other maintenance) prior to me coming into the picture... lol.
To directly answer you question, a 5w30 is what's spec'd... the flavor is up to you. If Ford felt it was not wise to backspec 5w20 for our engine, then I personally would not recommend running it as there is obviously a reason.
I would use Motorcraft 5w20.
His car is the SPI (SOHC) variant of the 2.0L... it does not have the 5w20 backspec as the DOHC versions do.
I'm currently running Motorcraft 5w30 in my wife's '00 Focus with the SPI engine. Next run will be Mobil 1 5w30 High Mileage to do some cleanup as she definitely neglected the oil changes (and other maintenance) prior to me coming into the picture... lol.
To directly answer you question, a 5w30 is what's spec'd... the flavor is up to you. If Ford felt it was not wise to backspec 5w20 for our engine, then I personally would not recommend running it as there is obviously a reason.
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I agree...stick to the 5W30 in any good name brand you choose. 2000 was the last yr Ford spec'd 5W30. I have a 2000 ZX2 with the DOHC 2.0 engine and it was back spec'd but I run 5W30 M1 in it. have tried 5W20 and so NO difference in fuel mileage. I just got back from a 600 mile trip up to east TX and the car got 38 mpg going up and 37.5 coming back, this on 5W30 at 65-70 mph. I am certainly satisfied with that. Good Lord, how much better do I need it to get! LOL
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As the owner of a 2003 Focus (2.3L), I recently switched to Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w30. My engine runs very well on this high mileage oil and I'm very satisfied. It also comes in a Blend.
A second recommendation would be MotorCraft Blend 5w30.
If using a Blend, OCI's should be around 5,000 miles. If a full synthetic...7000 to 8000 OCI's should work.
These oils can usually be purchased at WalMart in 5 quart jugs.
A good filter is also advisable...MotorCraft filter for the Blend or a Purolator PureOne for the SYN.
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2003 Ford Focus (2.3L) / 83K
Valvoline MaxLife SYN 5w30 / OCI 7,000 +/-
Purolator PureOne PA 10241
Redline SL-1 - Complete Fuel Sys Cleaner
A second recommendation would be MotorCraft Blend 5w30.
If using a Blend, OCI's should be around 5,000 miles. If a full synthetic...7000 to 8000 OCI's should work.
These oils can usually be purchased at WalMart in 5 quart jugs.
A good filter is also advisable...MotorCraft filter for the Blend or a Purolator PureOne for the SYN.
____________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus (2.3L) / 83K
Valvoline MaxLife SYN 5w30 / OCI 7,000 +/-
Purolator PureOne PA 10241
Redline SL-1 - Complete Fuel Sys Cleaner
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Thanks for the input. I believe I will stick with the 5W-30 MC. I am shooting for 250,000 with this car. As for how much mileage do you need? Well I just retired so any boost is welcome. However longevity is the priority here.
Well take care of it and these little motors pretty much run forever. I've had mine for about 15k miles now (Dad bought it new but cant drive anymore) and have done a little research on them. Keep the oil and timing belt changed and they are good for 200k miles minimum with little to no problems. I got mine 6 mos ago with 58k and am at 75k already and will hit 200k within the next 3-4 years. I do drive a lot!
Keep on rolling!
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Originally Posted By: SAJEFFC
Well take care of it and these little motors pretty much run forever. I've had mine for about 15k miles now (Dad bought it new but cant drive anymore) and have done a little research on them. Keep the oil and timing belt changed and they are good for 200k miles minimum with little to no problems. I got mine 6 mos ago with 58k and am at 75k already and will hit 200k within the next 3-4 years. I do drive a lot!
Keep on rolling!
I agree. The SPI engine unfortunately has issues occassionally dropping valve seats due to poor design, but at the end of the day there's no economical way to prevent this... so just do as the above poster stated and hope for the best! With my wife's prior maintenance "mistreatment", I'm amazed how few issues the car has had... in fact, none of the issues it's had have been what I'd define as "major". I had the timing belt, water pump, upper & lower radiator hoses changed at just over 100k miles for maintenance purposes. The upper engine vent hose that leads into the airbox was cracked & causing a vacuum leak... but that was a 5-min fix with a new hose (it's a bad design as the hose literally lays against the engine). Had the high-pressure transmission lines weeping all over my garage floor, so I had those replaced. Also had a pretty bad crack in the exhaust manifold that required replacing, but I did the labor myself so no big deal (replaced the forward o2 sensor at the same time figuring the leak probably burned it out).
Again, considering the way my wife treated it prior to me coming into the picture, ZERO major issues. Just having to catch up on neglected parts here & there... that's all. It has 108k miles on it now... runs great! Hope to get 200k out of it.
Well take care of it and these little motors pretty much run forever. I've had mine for about 15k miles now (Dad bought it new but cant drive anymore) and have done a little research on them. Keep the oil and timing belt changed and they are good for 200k miles minimum with little to no problems. I got mine 6 mos ago with 58k and am at 75k already and will hit 200k within the next 3-4 years. I do drive a lot!
I agree. The SPI engine unfortunately has issues occassionally dropping valve seats due to poor design, but at the end of the day there's no economical way to prevent this... so just do as the above poster stated and hope for the best! With my wife's prior maintenance "mistreatment", I'm amazed how few issues the car has had... in fact, none of the issues it's had have been what I'd define as "major". I had the timing belt, water pump, upper & lower radiator hoses changed at just over 100k miles for maintenance purposes. The upper engine vent hose that leads into the airbox was cracked & causing a vacuum leak... but that was a 5-min fix with a new hose (it's a bad design as the hose literally lays against the engine). Had the high-pressure transmission lines weeping all over my garage floor, so I had those replaced. Also had a pretty bad crack in the exhaust manifold that required replacing, but I did the labor myself so no big deal (replaced the forward o2 sensor at the same time figuring the leak probably burned it out).
Again, considering the way my wife treated it prior to me coming into the picture, ZERO major issues. Just having to catch up on neglected parts here & there... that's all. It has 108k miles on it now... runs great! Hope to get 200k out of it.
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