Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil?

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Fri 27 May 2011 11:06
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - willow

I have been using, or should I say may Ford dealer has been using, Castro Magnatech 5-30w fully synthetic motor oil in my 2002 Focus with a 104000 miles. Now I understand they have switched to semi-synthetic Castrol.

I wonder, do I really need to use fully synthetic oil, or am I okay with part synthetic and if so, can someone recommend an oil? Also, should I be looking at a thicker oil for an old older engine? As some have suggested, as my car seems to be using a small amount of oil monthly. There are no leaks or blues smoke so lord knows where its going.

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Fri 27 May 2011 21:30
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - Peter.N.

Look at the oil specification in the handbook and use any oil that matches it, I do that with my Peugeot/citroen diesels and use morrises oil at about £10.00 a can.

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Fri 27 May 2011 21:58
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - unthrottled

Agreed. 100K miles isn't really high mileage these days-although the type of miles does matter more than the quantity! Don't bother with the treacle like oils unless the engine is obviously worn. Don't Ford suggest 5W-20 for that engine?

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Fri 27 May 2011 22:14
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - boggles

The oil spec for my Freelander is Ford M2C 913B, it's probably similar for the Focus. With Ford's own brand full synthetic available for about 22 pounds, inc postage, on e-bay. why use anything less. The 5w-30 gets around a cold engine rapidly, to reduce wear, and helps fuel economy.

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 15:45
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - willow

Have checked owners manual and it definately states 5-30w, so guess I should stick with that but semi or synthetic oil for the future, dat is de question?

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Thu 2 Jun 2011 10:24
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - davmal
As long as the oil meets the specs, and you change it and your filter regularly I doubt you'll notice any difference in performance. You can get comparatively good synth or semi synth oils conversely you can get poor quality in both. Unless you know what the stuff does chemically you can't make an informed judgement. Personally, I go for Halford's semi, but only because it's good value with a trade card.
Your car has over 100,000 miles, a good indicator to stick with what it has been using.
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Fri 3 Jun 2011 03:56
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - 1litregolfeater

Comma 5W-30, £20 for 5 litres can't go wrong, the one without the fancy can with a picture of a van.

Stick it in and see if it's ok, no noises on startup, if it seems a bit hot and bothered use the 5W-40, same price.

This day and age, no excuses for not using full synth

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Fri 3 Jun 2011 22:41
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - rightcar

Hi Mate.

ASDA...£15 for 5-30 for Zetec engines!..I but most of my oil now at ASDA. Bargain and refined by Castrol.

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Sun 5 Jun 2011 11:21
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - davmal

Some oil manufacturers don't recommend switching to synthetic oil on higher mileage engines that have a degree of internal leakage. Have you had a compression test done recently?

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Sun 5 Jun 2011 11:27
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - jc2

Ford spec. for this engine is 5W/30 PART synthetic.

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Tue 14 Jun 2011 02:24
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - 1litregolfeater

And Ford are really, really interested in you keeping your ten year old, high mileage car running in top condition, using all the advances in oil technology? Yeah!

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Tue 14 Jun 2011 02:33
Ford Focus Saloon 1600 zetec - Semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil? - 1litregolfeater

Thanks for that mate, I always keep my eyes open but rarely make to ASDA. Noticed Wilkinsons had Carlube cheap a couple of weeks ago, but only 4 litres not 5. Not bad stuff though and I'll get some if I go back.

Comma seem to have changed their range, so what was cheap stuff is expensive and the expensive stuff is cheaper, taking advantage of the popularity of Long Life additives.

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