Oil for my ford

[hypermiler]

Looking for recomedations for oil for my ford escort. I've always just used whatever was on sale but always name brand such as Quaker state, pennzoil, etc.
My Car is a 99 ford escort zx2 automatic trans has over 100K and still going fine with no troubles.
In owners manual it says to use 5w30 but on some zx2 sites they say 5w20.
I've been using 5w20 since i had that car. I change the oil every 5000 miles. It doesn't use much if any at all. all i could find on owners manual is to use oil that meets ford specification WSS-M2C153-G

I drive for Mileage only. I have thought about doing an oil analysis to see if i could strech out my oil change intervals.

not interested in synthetics unless i could up my change interval alot more than what i am at. I'd prefer to use oil i can find at a local store such as pepboys, autozone,walmart.

99% of my trips are to work and home 6-7 miles. low steady speeds.


Any other questions just ask please.

 

[GMFan]

Keep doing what you've been doing.

 

[heypete]

First off,

Sounds like you've got a good thing going already. Pennzoil, Quaker State, Mobil, and any of the other brand-name conventional oils will serve you well.

If you're looking to save a buck or two here and there, Wal-Mart's SuperTech-brand oil meets API SM specs, and should be fine in your vehicle.

 

[beast3300]

Your good with your current plan.

 

[ArtDart]

Motorcraft 5w20/30

 

[ARCOgraphite]

No need for a syn in FL using a 5w-20. I would do what youre doing. I would not go to a 10K oci with your short trips - though THAT would save you more $$ than hypermiling. How many miles per year do you do? If you can find PP or MC7.5K on sale you possibly could do 7000 mile OCI - but i'd stick with 5000.

 

[hypermiler]

I average about 7000 mile a year. Lots of short trips.

 

[roadrunner1]

that is one of the engines that was back-speced by ford to use 5w-20, my son has a '97 and we have used motorcraft 5w-20 since purchased 6 years ago.

150,000 plus miles with no issues other than alternator, 5w-20 has and will work well for you

 

[bodeh6]

Could always use Motorcraft SynBlend which is at Walmart for ~$11 per 5 quarts.

 

[rewote500]

Motorcraft, Castrol, Valvoline

Pennzoil, Quaker State

 

[hpichris]

Agreed with what was said above.
If it ain't broke. Don't fix it.

 

[Oregoonian]

Motorcraft SynBlend or Valvoline MaxLife SynBlend 5w20 or 5w30 during summer months. Both oils have great reputations.

Also be sure you use a good oil filter (i.e Pureolator PureOne, Bosch, WIX or Napa Gold (stay away from Fram).

I think it would be a good to do an oil analysis (Blackstone) at 5000 miles, just to see how your engine is holding up.

About once a year I would add a fuel system cleaner such as Chevron Techron or Redline Si-1. You'll be surprised how much smoother your vehicle will run after using either of these products.

________________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w30
Puroator PureOne 10241
Redline S-1 Fuel System Cleaner

 

[SAJEFFC]

Ha thats wild! I inherited the exact same car only 2000 model from my Dad last fall. He is retired in Florida also and unable to drive anymore. He had 3K dealer oil changes done on Motorcraft 5W20. Needless to say its spotless inside. It only has 69k miles on it! I switched it to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and plan to do 5K changes. I know I know, what can I say?

It is much quieter on 5W30 though and gas mileage is the same. They are fun little cars and pretty much run forever with good maintenance. Enjoy!

 

[hardcore302]

Motorcraft syn blend 20 and 30 : gallon is 11 dollars.

 

[rewote500]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Motorcraft SynBlend or Valvoline MaxLife SynBlend 5w20 or 5w30 during summer months. Both oils have great reputations.

Also be sure you use a good oil filter (i.e Pureolator PureOne, Bosch, WIX or Napa Gold (stay away from Fram).

I think it would be a good to do an oil analysis (Blackstone) at 5000 miles, just to see how your engine is holding up.

About once a year I would add a fuel system cleaner such as Chevron Techron or Redline Si-1. You'll be surprised how much smoother your vehicle will run after using either of these products.

________________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w30
Puroator PureOne 10241
Redline S-1 Fuel System Cleaner


+1

 

[sicko]

Keep doing what you're doing and the car will keep going fine. If you're looking to switch, perhaps Motorcraft 5w-20. As mentioned you can get the semi-synthetic for the same price as some conventionals, and should meet or exceed all the specs necessary.


As for:
Originally Posted By: SAJEFFC
Ha thats wild! I inherited the exact same car only 2000 model from my Dad last fall. He is retired in Florida also and unable to drive anymore. He had 3K dealer oil changes done on Motorcraft 5W20. Needless to say its spotless inside. It only has 69k miles on it! I switched it to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and plan to do 5K changes. I know I know, what can I say?

It is much quieter on 5W30 though and gas mileage is the same. They are fun little cars and pretty much run forever with good maintenance. Enjoy!


Why change out the EP after only 5k miles? Mobil says it can go 1 year or 15k miles. If I was putting EP in my vehicle and didn't have to worry about 6 month oil changes to maintain my warranty, I'd keep the EP in there for at least 7.5k miles, possibly 10k. Obviously you should do what you're comfortable with, but EP has shown that it can easily go well over 5k miles