Ford semi-synthetic oil

[California]

My little Ford Focus specifies Ford 5w20 semi-synthetic oil. Autozone has it priced only slightly above common dino oil.

This looks like a cost-effective way to extend drain intervals a little if the stuff is better than generic oil.

Does anyone know what is really in Ford's oil? Is it better than what JiffyLube etc will put in your car?

Incidentally, the Focus is badged ULEV (ultra low emissions vehicle, with emissions as low as the Escape Hybrid) with the crankcase well sealed and a semi-permanent air cleaner, so I think it's easier on oil than most cars.

Oil consumption is absolutely zero, with now 27k miles on it. I've read that the same vehicle in Europe specifies longer drain intervals than the US maintenance schedule. My usage is light duty - nearly all the miles are the 200 mile round trip between city house, and ranch.

Any comments?

 

[dmccarty]

Does the version in Europe hold the same amount of oil?

I run extended miles on my F350 with 5wx40 with oil analysis. My two cents is the only way "safe" way to run past the manufactuers recommendations on oil changes is to test the oil. Then you can judge what to do. I don't test the oil every oil change anymore since I know what it does and my circumstances have not changed. My next oil change will be test since there is a newer oil to meet the ULSD standards. So to be safe I'll have the oil tested and its my yearly time to test anyway.

Later,
Dan

 

[TimS]

Oil consumption is absolutely zero, with now 27k miles on it.
Any comments?

Does any car these days use oil, if it's working properly? I don't think I've added any extra oil to a car, between changes, in 25 years. And I'm not extreme, but I do run cars for somewhere between 130,000 and 150,000 miles, depending on how things go.

Tim

 

[dgl24087]

Does any car these days use oil, if it's working properly? I don't think I've added any extra oil to a car, between changes, in 25 years. And I'm not extreme, but I do run cars for somewhere between 130,000 and 150,000 miles, depending on how things go.

Tim

I had a 2000 Chevy pickup that consistently used 1/2 quart every 5000 miles in the 7 years I owned it, traded it away at 99,800 miles.

 

[ToadHill]

I had a Ford Ranger that used a quart of oil every 1500 miles from the day I bought it until the day I sold it 280,000 miles later.

 

[Marcussen]

My little Ford Focus specifies Ford 5w20 semi-synthetic oil. Autozone has it priced only slightly above common dino oil.

This looks like a cost-effective way to extend drain intervals a little if the stuff is better than generic oil.

Does anyone know what is really in Ford's oil? Is it better than what JiffyLube etc will put in your car?

Incidentally, the Focus is badged ULEV (ultra low emissions vehicle, with emissions as low as the Escape Hybrid) with the crankcase well sealed and a semi-permanent air cleaner, so I think it's easier on oil than most cars.

Oil consumption is absolutely zero, with now 27k miles on it. I've read that the same vehicle in Europe specifies longer drain intervals than the US maintenance schedule. My usage is light duty - nearly all the miles are the 200 mile round trip between city house, and ranch.

Any comments?

The ford 5w-20 is a very good oil, it has more than 70% "synthetic" base oil when other semi synthetics may be as low as 10%. You can't get a better oil without going full synthetic. Ford recomends an oil change every 5000 miles so I would not go more or less than that. (More only if you do get the oil analysed)

 

[California]

ford 5w-20 is a very good oil, it has more than 70% "synthetic" base oil when other semi synthetics may be as low as 10%. You can't get a better oil without going full synthetic.

That is what I was hoping to hear. Sounds like I'll be using it from now on. Is there a source where I can read more about it?

Thanks!

 

[Marcussen]

Several boards on the web talking about Ford stuff, mostly Ford trucks but all newer Ford gas engines call for the 5W-20 oil. I looked around when I was changing the oil in F250 and decided the best oil for me was the Ford semi-synth 5w-20, try Bob Is The Oil Guy: Viewing list of forums for more information about oil than you probably want.
The percentage synthetic came from the MSDS for the oil and actualy says 60% sorry my mistake.

 

[Jimbrown]

Oil consumption is absolutely zero, with now 27k miles on it. I've read that the same vehicle in Europe specifies longer drain intervals than the US maintenance schedule. My usage is light duty - nearly all the miles are the 200 mile round trip between city house, and ranch.

Any comments?

Yes some European manufactures do go a lot longer BMW and Mercedes say 15000 miles or one year for oil changes and lifetime transmission and axels. BUT....
They both specify their oil which is specially formulated pure synthetic. On my last BMW they did not even approve Mobile 1 as a subtitute. Also in Europe at would be a very rare driver that put 15000 on a car per year.

 

[California]

... Bob Is The Oil Guy for more information about oil than you probably want.

No kidding. Those people are nuts. Last post I read was someone who looks for sediment in the pan with a fiberoptic camera up the drainhole when he changes the oil.

More significant: that site led me to an Amsoil comparison that indicates the Motorcraft semi-synthetic tested markedly better than anything else in its price range (under $2.50/qt). I'm sold on it.

 

[TimS]

I had a 2000 Chevy pickup that consistently used 1/2 quart every 5000 miles in the 7 years I owned it, traded it away at 99,800 miles.

At 5000 miles, that's not time to add, that's time to change!

 

[TimS]

I had a Ford Ranger that used a quart of oil every 1500 miles from the day I bought it until the day I sold it 280,000 miles later.

I would not consider that to be "working properly" and I expect you had a discussion or two with Ford on that subject!

 

[whodat90]

I have a 2000 Yukon XL with the 8.1L(!) gasser. It uses 1 quart of oil every 2500 miles. The low oil light comes on, I add a quart of oil, and within a month it's time to do an oil change. I asked the dealer about it and he said that it was well within the limits set by the manufacturer; they specify that one quart in a thousand miles is about the limit with this particular engine. Doesn't bother me too much, kind of a running oil change as we used to say.