Oil for LOW mileage 2000 Escort

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astronomy

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I recently acquired a 2000 Ford Escort with 12k original miles. This car was always garage kept, and used mostly for short trip driving. Looks and runs like new. Nothing has been done to it except a few oil changes and recall repairs by the dealership.

I'm going to be driving this car about 1,500 miles a month from now on. Would it be good to go with a high mileage oil at this point based upon it's age? Any reason not to? I'm thinking of using Mobil 1 5W30 HM.
 
Just use whatever normal oil the owners manual calls for. M1 is fine, but once you start with HM oils, it's hard to go back. That car has a ton of life left in it with just an easy right foot and routine care.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I would replace all fluids, coolant + ATF + PSF + brake fluid ..., on that 13 years old car.


Also check all the belts, hoses, tires, brakes, and other rubber components.
 
If its been garage kept, I'm not sure EVERY fluid would need to be changed. Power steering fluid should be good for the life of the car-

I would do the oil, radiator fluid (thermostat maybe)then INSPECT all other fluids but not necessarily change. Also check the drive belts.

I also would NOT use high mileage oil.

Don't over think it, drive it and keep an eye on it for the first month or so- may have some early teeth to pull
 
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12000? No worries. I'd put a good quality synthetic in (I prefer Amsoil) with a good filter and extend your OCI...
 
change all fluids, cheap insurance. maybe the belt if it's not dry rotted. make sure the tires are not original. I believe 8 years is the max lifespan of tires put in service.
 
Originally Posted By: astronomy
I recently acquired a 2000 Ford Escort with 12k original miles....
...Would it be good to go with a high mileage oil at this point based upon it's age? Any reason not to? I'm thinking of using Mobil 1 5W30 HM.


i've been wondering about this myself lately, while thinking about my brother's 98 Mustang GT, that has somewhere between 16-20k mi on it. the most it gets driven is to shuffle cars around the driveway/garage. don't think it's seen open road in @ least 8 yrs, and not even started for a few of those.

which also got me wondering about some sort of external electric oil pump that could be rigged up on cars in "storage". something along the same vane as a battery tender/float charger...that would keep surfaces lubed, and seals from drying out... any merit to this idea? am i completely whacko?
 
Originally Posted By: needsducktape


I also would NOT use high mileage oil.


What would be the negative of using a high mileage oil?
 
I inherited a 1982 Ford LTD in 1994 with 14,000 miles.

Every seal was dried up and cracked/leaking. I had them all replaced, except the rear main on the transmission, and that went the first long trip (about 100 miles) that I took.

I would highly recommend high mileage fluids.
Even that may be not enough to keep your gaskets and seals intact.

Also, the gasket materials that they used in 2000 will probably be better than the junk they used in 1983.
I'd still go with all High Mileage fluids... and never look back.
HM fluids are awesome in my book. Even more so in older cars.
 
Get some good dino pyb valvoline or mobil and enjoy. A car that's been sitting a lot is just that there isn't a miracle fluid Thats going to fix what may or may not happen.

If it were mine i would do all fluids just for piece of mind. And just enjoy it. If any suspension bushings seem hard or squeaky get some atp stop leak and squirt some on them. But really just enjoy it.

Chances are it'll be fine.
 
I would run Mobil Super HM in the old Escort. It is cheap, highly detergent, shear stable, and it will run Super quiet.
 
Congrats on this low mileage car! Hopefully your seals are still in food condition. I'd flush the brake fluids since it absorbs moisture and gets acidic over time. Don't bleed it, just use a pressure pump or have it professionally done.
 
I'm assuming that this car was owned by an elderly person and is probably an automatic trans. These cars were very good vehicles...reliable, economical to operate and repair and long lasting. My brother had a 1998 Escort wagon...sold it with 136,000 miles and its still supposedly runnning (4 years later)...definitely one of Ford's "better ideas"...
 
Originally Posted By: earlyre

which also got me wondering about some sort of external electric oil pump that could be rigged up on cars in "storage". something along the same vane as a battery tender/float charger...that would keep surfaces lubed, and seals from drying out... any merit to this idea? am i completely whacko?


No that is whacko....
crazy2.gif
 
Use a thin 0w30 an it will get oil pressure almost instantly. My DOHC 2.0 Zetec turns over 2 revolutions before it starts, always has since I've owned it. Cranking with a mechanical op gauge the needle starts bouncing "litterly" when I turn the key to start it. I think the ECM will not provide spark until it turns over for a second to build oil pressure..MY GUESS
 
My suggestion is to use Valvoline Maxlife. Its seal conditioners are not as aggressive as the swellers you find in some high mileage oils, such as QS Defy. Maxlife doesn't seem to be as thick as some high mileage oils. I picked up a low mileage 1999 Mercury Villager a couple months ago that had been used for short drives around the neighborhood. The Maxlife has worked extremely well.

If a seal starts to leak, you can step it up to a HM oil with more seal swelling capability.
 
I bought a 33Kmi 1998 Grand Marquis in May of '10 and all I did was change the oil and flush the cooling system, I did also repl the serpentine belt but only because I had one... No leaks or issues at all... Finally got around to changing transmission fluid last summer('12)and replacing the original tires, at 53+K mi they were about worn out... Oil changes are at one year using M-1 EP...

On a modern, garaged vehicle don't worry about seal deterioration, go with whatever dino, blend or synthetic oil you prefer and it'll be happy... No chance in [censored] I'd use a HM oil in that vehicle...
 
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