I am a member of two of the Ford Focus forums. I recently bought a 2004 Focus (Florida car) with just 85,000 for my two teenagers to commute to college for the next 8 combined years. You know how hard teenagers can be on a vehicle. This one has a rare 2.3L chain, Double Overhead cam engine, as opposed to most timing belt SPI and Zetec engines of that era. Automatic transmission.
Most folks don't associate older Ford Focus and high odometer mileage in the same sentence. Toyota Corollas and Hondas, yes, Focus, not too often. So in the quest for knowledge, I decided to ask around the Focus Forums, as to what motor oils, owners with the highest odometer mileage used. In other words, I wanted to know what motor oil works best in the real world - on a vehicle that most owners ABUSE and get rid of at the 150,000 - 180,000 mile mark. In a non scientific poll, I decided to share what they told me.
* Owner 1) Has a 2001 Zetec SVT Focus with 230,000 miles. NEVER has changed the gear
fluid or brakes! (I don't believe him). Motor Oil: Castrol Syntec every 5,000 miles.
Sometimes Motorcraft 5W20 Blend. New York State owner.
* Owner 2) Has a 2002 Zetec Focus with 322,000 miles. Motorcraft 5W20 Blend every 3,000 miles until he
hit 300,000 miles, now every 6,000 miles. Automatic transmission fluid changed every 25,000
miles. Toronto owner.
* Owner 3) Has a 2000 Zetec Focus with 370,000 miles. Motor Oil: Plain Chevron 5W30 dino oil, every 5,000
to 8,000 miles. Has not changed the automatic transmission fluid since the first 100,000 mile
mark! Minnesota owner.
What I learned from this, is what many of you have been saying all along, regular oil changes intervals of a cheap dino oil, can take your vehicle as far as any high dollar synthetic oil. I was also surprised that the
highest odometer mileage Focus, I encountered, were located in cold climates. I would have thought that the combination of cold starts and road salt would have led to an early demise. All three of these owners are on their original engines, that are all "running strong". I also learned that that timing belt driven, Ford Zetec 4 cylinder engine is as durable as any Toyota or Honda 4 cylinder engine, if given regular maintenance.
The question I am asking myself, is what do I do with the Mobil 1 0W20, and Pennzoil Ultra 5W20 from my stash? I guess I'll save that for my, 100,000 mile 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - and save the cheap stuff for the Focus (as it should be).
Most folks don't associate older Ford Focus and high odometer mileage in the same sentence. Toyota Corollas and Hondas, yes, Focus, not too often. So in the quest for knowledge, I decided to ask around the Focus Forums, as to what motor oils, owners with the highest odometer mileage used. In other words, I wanted to know what motor oil works best in the real world - on a vehicle that most owners ABUSE and get rid of at the 150,000 - 180,000 mile mark. In a non scientific poll, I decided to share what they told me.
* Owner 1) Has a 2001 Zetec SVT Focus with 230,000 miles. NEVER has changed the gear
fluid or brakes! (I don't believe him). Motor Oil: Castrol Syntec every 5,000 miles.
Sometimes Motorcraft 5W20 Blend. New York State owner.
* Owner 2) Has a 2002 Zetec Focus with 322,000 miles. Motorcraft 5W20 Blend every 3,000 miles until he
hit 300,000 miles, now every 6,000 miles. Automatic transmission fluid changed every 25,000
miles. Toronto owner.
* Owner 3) Has a 2000 Zetec Focus with 370,000 miles. Motor Oil: Plain Chevron 5W30 dino oil, every 5,000
to 8,000 miles. Has not changed the automatic transmission fluid since the first 100,000 mile
mark! Minnesota owner.
What I learned from this, is what many of you have been saying all along, regular oil changes intervals of a cheap dino oil, can take your vehicle as far as any high dollar synthetic oil. I was also surprised that the
highest odometer mileage Focus, I encountered, were located in cold climates. I would have thought that the combination of cold starts and road salt would have led to an early demise. All three of these owners are on their original engines, that are all "running strong". I also learned that that timing belt driven, Ford Zetec 4 cylinder engine is as durable as any Toyota or Honda 4 cylinder engine, if given regular maintenance.
The question I am asking myself, is what do I do with the Mobil 1 0W20, and Pennzoil Ultra 5W20 from my stash? I guess I'll save that for my, 100,000 mile 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - and save the cheap stuff for the Focus (as it should be).
