Once A Year OCI on Ford Focus

[lancerplayer]

Just picked up a 2004 Ford Focus ZTS (2.3L Duratec) with 123K on the clock. So far, I do not notice any leaks or consumption. After I drive it some more and notice it continues to use/burn no oil, I would like to do a once a year OCI.

The manual calls for 5w20 and recommends Motor Craft synthetic-blend with a 5K OCI. The car will be used for 90% city driving and short trips. The car will only see around 7K miles per year.

If I use a high quality synthetic oil, could I pull of a once a year OCI? Or would I be better off going with a conventional and following the 5K OCI? I would like to hear some thoughts.

Thanks guys!

 

[bluestream]

I would use the synthetic and go once per year. Its better oil and you won't have to change it as often. Use one less oil filter if you want with the yearly.

I used to be a die hard 3 month 3K OCI guy for 30 years, After having been educated by this website I am going to one yearly OCI for my vehicles on synthetic, and going 6 months with the Semi.

 

[lenjack]

+1

 

[BobFout]

I'd worry about fuel dilution.

 

[MrMeeks]

Get a oversize filter if you can.
Inspect the oil each month.If it is too thin or thick,then drain it.Don't risk the engine for a few qts. of oil.Use the motorcraft filter .Run away from the FRAM filters.Amsoil has a good filtr,but they are expen$ive. The oil additive called 'RESTORE' help my Ford.Use RESTORE in worn engines only.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Well...yah you can do what you wanna do with Motorcraft Synthetic Blend. No real need for a full synthetic unless it helps you sleep better at night...

Just make sure to get the engine up to operating temp more often than not. Short trips being hard on oil especially if the engine never reaches operating temp between trips.

I have on 08 Focus and here shortly I'm gonna start doing 10k oci's with a used oil analysis after the first 7500 to see if it's okay and then one at 10k.

IF you ain't sure do a used oil analysis after the first 7500 mile run with whatever oil you are using.

And ummm keep a check on the oil level just in case...

 

[Gene K]

Sure. Go buy a 5 Qt Jug of Quaker State Ultimate Durability - Q Horsepower Sythetic from Walmart for $18.50 and pick up a Motorcraft Filter while your their. Download a form for the $10 Rebate from the Quaker State Website. Change once a year.

 

[daman]

Mobil 1 Extended Performance and Mobil 1 filter or P1...

 

[Bill in Utah]

HELLO?

Let's review;

Originally Posted By: lancerplayer
The car will be used for 90% city driving and short trips. The car will only see around 7K miles per year.


Are you guys serious?

90% city driving and short trips in Cleveland? Their winters and such? And you REALLY think a single OCI (or I forgot you are using the magic oil that takes care of moisture and by-products) of ANY oil is a SMART idea?

Glad you are not touching my vehicles.

Seriously.

To the OP. I guess you can tell I'd NOT do that. At the VERY minimum I'd do 6 month OCIs with any 5w-20 oil. Your engine will be much better off than 1 year with ANY oil and ANY filter.

Bill

 

[Jim Allen]

I agree with Bill but will pick one nit. It depends on the definition of "short trip." Also, will the car be garaged and/or plugged in during the winter. With a few factors tilted the right way, I think the car could goy a year.

 

[Bamaro]

Sounds like you will be doing a lot of cold starts and cold/cool/warm stops. To me that is severe service and once a year wouldn't do it.

 

[kkreit01]

I'm with Bill on this one. Oil changes are cheap and easy on the Duratec. You can do a MC + filter change for ~$15. What's the point in pushing it, or what's the point in doing an UOA (to push it)? We're talking $15 every 6 months. Drink less coffee, soda, bottled water.

 

[mechtech2]

If you go full synthetic for a full year, get her good and hot more often than in your normal schedule.

 

[buickman50401]

I've also gotta agree with Bill.

Once a year is too little for a car that is seeing nothing but short trips.

If the car is only going to see about 7k/yr, I'd just run MC 5w20 and a MC filter since at least at WalMart its is nearly the same price as Quaker State or Supertech (within a $1.50) in 5qt jugs.

Just change it every 6 mo and you'll only be spending about $10.00 more than synthetic:
$12 x2 for 5qt jugs of MC = $24
$4x2 for MC filters = $8
= $32/yr

Syn:
Going with the cheapest name brand it would be $19 for QS + $4 filter or $23/yr.

For me $10/yr more and the hassle of one extra oil change would be worth it. Fuel dilution would be my biggest concern.

My wife's 06 Golf calls for 12/mo 10k mi oil changes. She puts on less than 10k/yr and it its mostly short trip driving in a similar climate (Iowa) to the OP's. Going strictly by VW's recommendation I could only change it once per year.

As it stands I change it every 6mo once in spring and once in the fall (April/May and Sept/Oct). $20 x2 for a gallon jug of Rotella 5w40 + $6x2 for a Bosch filter means I spend a whole extra $26/yr and an extra 30 minutes of my life to make sure I don't have to worry about fuel dilution issues with her short trip driving patterns.

With quality oils priced as reasonably as they are at WalMart and a good quality filter able to be had for around $5 why not just do 6mo oil changes instead of skimping on maintenance?

 

[Spyder7]

I`d also do two changes a year, regardless of what oil you put into it. One change in the fall (ideally early November) and another in the Spring (April). Regardless of what you`re putting on it mileage wise, the combination of cold winters (and frequent cold starts), 90% city driving, and mostly short trips will be very hard on any oil.

Doing a once a year OCI under those conditions is just asking for trouble imho. The extra oil change costs nothing compared to the potential problems you are setting yourself up for on a yearly OCI in those conditions.

-Spyder