Oil suggestion for 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0 Zetec

[dx92beater]

Car is driven 10 miles each way 5 days to a commuter lot. Mostly on rural roads. I probably hit about 5 stop lights in each direction average. Fuel economy is important since I am trying to meet a certain financial objective and therefore have to reach a certain MPG. Car has 186k miles. Was thinking of going 0w-20 M1 AFE with M1 filter just to try it. It burns no oil between changes. I was thinking 10k-12k OCI. This is exactly what I did on my old Escort GT with the same oil and filter as mentioned above. Low OCI is out of the question with 6 other vehicles that take up the rest of my time. What do you think? Thanks

 

[fdcg27]

If you're trying to meet a certain financial objective, then you could use any 5W-20 in this Zetec. Fuel economy won't be measurably different between the cheapest 5W-20 you can find and M1 AFE. This engine doesn't seem at all picky about oil. Mine looks really clean through the fill hole, despite having had what was probably indifferent maintenance before I got it and consumption is nil, so extending the drains would probably be workable. Mine has so far seen whatever I have laying around. I ran Maxlife 5W-30 last winter, GTX 5W-20 after that and it now has Synpower 10W-30. I'll put it on a 5W-20 syn for winter, either Meijer at $12.00/jug after store discounts or M1 5W-20 that was $10.00/jug after MIR. If the current Mobil MIR can be used for oil purchased from Walmart (maybe it can, maybe it can't), you could score two jugs of AFE for a little over ten bucks each after MIR.

 

[Nickdfresh]

I'd say you're fine. I'd use Mobil 1 HM 5W-20 in warmer months and the AFE 0W-20 in the cooler months for 10K. I think Tig1 has been doing that for years here with good results (i.e. clean engines, very little discernible engine degradation symptoms such as burning oil, etc.)...

 

[CourierDriver]

Only a suggestion,,,,,,,,,,read your owners manual..

 

[tommygunn]

How may miles do you put on the car in a year? Can you do that 10-12k within a year? If so, then the M1 oil/filter combo will be great Just beware though, oil filters for your Zetec may be hard to find. The M1-211 oil filter for your car is only sold online. Amazon has a great price on them if you are willing to buy them in bulk. It is supposed to be good for 15k. Another good oil filter is Napa Platinum (Wix XP), which is going on sale in September. The part number you need is 41315. The regular price is $12.49, but starting Monday there's a $5 instant rebate, making it $7.49. I'd buy the M1 0w20 at Walmart and then get the Napa Platinum filter at Napa.

 

[dx92beater]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the heads up and the thoughts.

 

[fdcg27]

A PH3600 equiavalent works fine on this engine. Easy to find. The recommended Motorcraft is under four bucks at AZ.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh

I'd say you're fine. I'd use Mobil 1 HM 5W-20 in warmer months and the AFE 0W-20 in the cooler months for 10K. I think Tig1 has been doing that for years here with good results (i.e. clean engines, very little discernible engine degradation symptoms such as burning oil, etc.)...

M-1 0w20 AFE....YEAR ROUND....and if you have a WalMart near you, purchase the Fram ULTRA filter (guaranteed for 15 K) and less than $9.00. Buying the ULTRA filter will save a few bucks over the M-1 filter your using new.

 

[tommygunn]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian

M-1 0w20 AFE....YEAR ROUND....and if you have a WalMart near you, purchase the Fram ULTRA filter (guaranteed for 15 K) and less than $9.00. Buying the ULTRA filter will save a few bucks over the M-1 filter your using new.

They don't make an Ultra for this application. The part number would be XG8316, but such a filter does not exist.

Originally Posted By: fdcg27

A PH3600 equiavalent works fine on this engine. Easy to find. The recommended Motorcraft is under four bucks at AZ.

Actually, this engine calls for PH8316 or TG8316, Both of these are sold at Walmart, but I don't trust non-Ultra Fram filters. The OCOD will not make it anywhere near 10k, although the Tough Guard is supposed to handle 10k. But for just a little more you can get Napa Platinum which is MUCH better than any Fram.

 

[fdcg27]

I know what it calls for. I have one. As I originally noted, a PH3600 equivalent works just fine and greatly expands the selection of oil filters available.

 

[tig1]

I use M1 0-20 and the MC filter at 10K OCIs in both Duratechs. Works very well.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn

Just beware though, oil filters for your Zetec may be hard to find.

FL-400S is hard to find?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: hatt

Originally Posted By: tommygunn

Just beware though, oil filters for your Zetec may be hard to find.

FL-400S is hard to find?

I thought the same thing. we used the fl400s on ours.

 

[CourierDriver]

I am glad ,arent you?