Hi,
As per one of the other threads on here, we've just bought a brand new Focus 1.6 Sport for my wife. I'd like to hear your views on the best servicing approach. Planning on keeping this one for a while, so I don't mind investing some £££ into keeping it in top shape.
Ford service intervals are every 12,500m or 1 year
She only does about 6,000 miles per annum, so I reckon an annual service is sufficient.
But what about a "running in" service at say 1000 or 1500 miles? Worth it or don't bother?
Also, what spec is the usual standard Ford Oil which dealers use - is it any good, or is it worth "upgrading" to something better?
Tar...
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The oil recommended for your vehicle is Ford Formula E semi-synthetic which for your milage is perfect.Fully synthetic is only required for vehicles running extended service periods which Ford do not recommend.Ford semi-synthetic is made to the same spec.as any other semi-synthetic-there is no such thing as a "better" oil-you're just paying for their adverts!!
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"Ford semi-synthetic is made to the same spec.as any other semi-synthetic-there is no such thing as a "better" oil-you're just paying for their adverts!! "
Maybe, but looking on the Comma website - www.commaoils.co.uk - they do four 5w-30 oils. X Tech, Premium Flow, Eurotech & Motorway. All suitable for Ford Zetec. Just different packaging or something else?
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My garage owning neighbour changes his own vehicles oil every 3,000 miles & I feel guilty about my company going 20,000 between oil changes! Your engine will take at least 12,000 to 15,000 miles to loosen up so forget 1,000 running-in changes & annual 6,000 miles servicing will be fine.
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I should also add that Ford,as do most manufacturers,use a "factory-fill" oil which is not to the same spec. as service oil.This is to assist in the "bedding- down" of the components-an early change of oil will destroy the advantages.I see that you intend to keep the car for some time-please be reminded that the worst treatment for a car and it's components is repeated short drives.
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Cheers for the replies so far folks.
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Why not simply follow the manufacturer's service schedule and use the type of oil recommended by Ford?
I can't see you'll go wrong when you're using the car in a perfectly normal way.
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at 6k miles a year - Oil change every year, first one in a years time. Enjoy the new car.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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The main point to bear in mind of course is that you must follow the manufactures service schedule or the warranty becomes invalid.
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jc2 - question for you. What ingredient is omitted in "factory -fill" oil, or is there an added ingredient to aid running-in? Mythical it seems to me. Most engines are so well built that running in is not the coarse honing process it used to be. Audi/VW engines are run briefly, drained and refilled on the line. If used on variable service, the next change might be 18,000 miles, and even on the fixed regime, the oil is no changed for 10,000 - surely an inferior oil would be inimical to engine life?
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From my experience, factory-fill oil has never been a special running-in oil in car factories in the UK.
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Not different oil but different additives or quantities of additives-I worked for many years for a major vehicle manufacturer and while I personally did not specify fuels/lubricants,the department I worked in certainly did.
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And which oil company produces 2 qualities of the Ford (or other manufacturer) oil? 1 for the production line and 1 for re-sale? And which oil is used in a replacement engine?
Sorry, I don't think so.
Stick to the servicing regime laid down by the manufacturer for warranty peace of mind. An extra oil change will do more good than harm but is not necessary for the warranty.
And the Ford oil is perefectly good enough for the car. The normal reason to wander away is price or convenience (the main reason in my case).
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And which oil should be used in a brand new replacement engine? Production line oil or ford dealer oil?
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