Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car

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Thu 5 Jan 2017 10:19
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - bluenun

When searching for a new oil filter there seems to be 2 that fit my make and model car.

I have searched online and been into Halfords and they also get 2 possibilities.

One is 76mm High and the other 125mm High.

Anyone here know which is the correct one to fit?

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Thu 5 Jan 2017 13:38
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - Ian D
Buy both, do the oil and filter change and return the one that clearly was not the right one, Halfords will refund it fine if returned within their usual timescales. Alternatively try a Ford dealer who should know the correct one from the VIN number
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Thu 5 Jan 2017 14:44
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - khcomp

As you say, both are listed: either do as above, buy both and return the unwanted one or have a look at your existing one - should be visible under the car just above the sump and the difference in height should be immediately obvious. A pair of ramps would make looking a lot easier though...

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Thu 5 Jan 2017 14:54
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - bluenun

Thanks for the replies.

2 years ago I had the car M.O.T'd and had the oil and oil filter changed.

Last year I bought the oil and oil filter myself from Halfords, when I went to change the filter I noticed the one I had was taller than the one on the car.

So I went back to Halfords and swapped it for the shorter one and fitted it.

I was going to fit the shorter one again this year but thought I would ask just in case anyone had any info as to why there are 2 types recommended for my car.

They both fit because they are the same width and same thread.

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Thu 5 Jan 2017 15:03
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - khcomp

Just spoke to my mechanic and local Ford dealer - both types are listed, both may be used & they're interchangeable: The dealer suggested that the longer one may have been fitted to 1.6 autos, with the shorter one on 1.4/1.6 manuals, but if space isn't an issue the longer one should give more surface area for filtration (and therefore a better lifespan), and the only other difference is the extra 1/2 litre of oil that the longer filter holds, possibly giving a bit longer service life from your oil. Seems a complicated way of saying that they don't know...

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Fri 6 Jan 2017 08:04
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - Simon
Just fit the shorter one, it'll work fine.
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Fri 6 Jan 2017 11:24
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - bluenun

Thank-you very much khcomp for asking your mechanic.

My car is an auto so I will go with the longer one as space is not an issue.

It takes 5.5 litres to refill after a filter and oil change. I have always used the longer filter but the garage that did the service 2 years ago used the shorter one, when I got home I noticed the oil level was a bit low, and I had to top it up with 1/4 litre, half pint.

I hope I have not done any damage running it onthe shorter oil filter for the last 2 years.

Edited by bluenun on 06/01/2017 at 11:32

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Fri 6 Jan 2017 12:25
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - John F

Thank-you very much khcomp for asking your mechanic.

My car is an auto so I will go with the longer one as space is not an issue.

It takes 5.5 litres to refill after a filter and oil change.

Really? Is this the 1.6 petrol Zetec as in my 2000 Focus? The stated capacity is 4.5 litres but I always only put in exactly 4 which brings the level to just below the half way mark on the dipstick, putting in 500mls when it gets to the minimum, or springtime, whichever comes first. (the less oil, the sooner it heats up on subzero mornings to warm our toes - and engines don't like being cold). I hope you haven't been over-filling it.

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Fri 6 Jan 2017 20:07
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - bluenun

Yes really, and it states that it takes 5.5L in my handbook too.

I have had the car since 2006 and on the occassions I have done the oil change it has taken 5.5 litres so I always have some spare oil and buy a new 5L one each time.

I fill it to just below the high notch on the dipstick.

I check it throughout the year and it is still just below the high notch on the dipstick so does not seem to leak or burn any.

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Sat 7 Jan 2017 17:44
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - John F

Yes really, and it states that it takes 5.5L in my handbook too.

Really? I've just checked my handbook and I misremembered. All Zetecs up to 2.0 take 4.25 ltrs with filter and the Endura 1.8 turbo diesel takes 5.6. Perhaps yours is a different later model engine although if 2003 I would have thought it was a Mk 1 like mine.

Edited by John F on 07/01/2017 at 17:45

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Sat 7 Jan 2017 18:00
Ford Focus 2003 Hatchback Petrol Auto 1.6 - 2 types of oil filter for my car - skidpan

Really? I've just checked my handbook and I misremembered. All Zetecs up to 2.0 take 4.25 ltrs with filter

2005 was the change over year for the larger engines when the Mk 2 was introduced but the samaller engines were carried over.

The 1.8 and 2 litre Zetec used in the Mondeo and larger engined Focus up to 2004/5 is a totally different engine to the 1.2/1.4/1.6/1.7 Zetec SE used in the Fiesta, Puma and smaller engined Focus thus oil capacities need carefully comparing.

From memory when I had the 1.7 Puma the garage always left a 5 litre container in the car with some oil in it suggesting it used under 5 litres. No idea how much, never looked, never used any.

The 2 litre Focus Zetec in my Caterham uses 4 litres for an oil change (with filter) but the sump has been extensively modified to give more ground clearance and retain as much of the original capacity as possible. The original Focus sump takes more but not a great deal more. Mr Haynes is in the garage.

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