MK3 2012 Focus - Oil Change 101

[thejordan]

Originally Posted by BlueFocusSE5

No need to excessively change oil anymore and in fact, doing so can cause premature engine wear to occur.

That's false.

[BlueFocusSE5]

Originally Posted by thejordan

That's false.

It's true. As to why excessive oil changes can cause engine damage; every single time the oil is changed, the engine oiling system loses its prime and when the engine is started there is zero oil pressure and metal-to-metal contact going on inside the engine that it never see's at any other time in its life. That kind of wear can rob life from an engine, reducing it's operating efficiency, (reduced fuel economy and power), and longevity. It wont run, "like new", for as long as it could have. Excessive oil changes are not doing any engine a favor. Of course, the greedy big oil industry likes to siphon off consumers hard earned money if they can, but consumer groups called them on this and even the greedy big oil companies are now no longer recommending needless and wasteful 3,000 mile drain pain intervals.

[thejordan]

Originally Posted by BlueFocusSE5

It's true. As to why excessive oil changes can cause engine damage; every single time the oil is changed, the engine oiling system loses its prime and when the engine is started there is zero oil pressure and metal-to-metal contact going on inside the engine that it never see's at any other time in its life. That kind of wear can rob life from an engine, reducing it's operating efficiency, (reduced fuel economy and power), and longevity. It wont run, "like new", for as long as it could have. Excessive oil changes are not doing any engine a favor. Of course, the greedy big oil industry likes to siphon off consumers hard earned money if they can, but consumer groups called them on this and even the greedy big oil companies are now no longer recommending needless and wasteful 3,000 mile drain pain intervals.

Fresh oil or not, the lubrication is the same for every cold start. It's okay to take off your tinfoil hat now.

[BlueFocusSE5]

Originally Posted by thejordan

Fresh oil or not, the lubrication is the same for every cold start. It's okay to take off your tinfoil hat now.

Tin foil hat? Wow, did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed today or something? Gheesh.

Again, when the oil system loses it's prime when an oil change is done the resulting engine start has zero oil pressure, allowing metal-to-metal wear to occur. This is why some people take the care of priming the new oil filter, to try and lessen the damaging effects of a no oil pressure/dry start situation, which is very wise. If this wasn't an issue, people wouldn't bother to prime the oil filter.

[thejordan]

Originally Posted by BlueFocusSE5

Again, when the oil system loses it's prime when an oil change is done the resulting engine start has zero oil pressure, allowing metal-to-metal wear to occur. This is why some people take the care of priming the new oil filter, to try and lessen the damaging effects of a no oil pressure/dry start situation, which is very wise. If this wasn't an issue, people wouldn't bother to prime the oil filter.

Yes priming the oil filter can prevent initial/temporary rod knock. That didn't seem to be what you were saying initially. Saying oil changes themselves are more damaging is a bit of a misnomer. Poor oil itself the biggest damage to an engine especially if not filtered properly or if it loses viscosity. The damage from a proper oil change versus a cold start will be negligible.

[novus]

So I've read in here that Mobil1 isn't true synthetic. I've been using it for some years now in my truck. If this is the case, what is recommended? I also see people running 5W-20. I haven't ran out to the car to grab the manual and read, but I will soon. But back to the main question, what's the recommended oil? Motorcraft?

[OPsDad]

Motorcraft 5w20 is the recommended oil for the 2.0L.

[BlazeFocus]

Originally Posted by BlueFocusSE5

5,000 miles is just fine and is right in line with recommendations. Many vehicle manufactures now recommend 7,500 miles. BMW goes up to 15,000 miles and several European manufacturers are in the same ball park.


No need to excessively change oil anymore and in fact, doing so can cause premature engine wear to occur.

People should RTM if they disagree with you on principal; The Focus can go up to 10k miles between changes depending on driving and environmental conditions. The whole idea of 3k mile intervals as a general rule and not the exception is nonsense perpetuated by an industry fraught with a waste & greed mentality.

RTM

As far as your "wear" claim, I won't even touch that.



How often should you have your oil changed?

Ford Motor Company generally recommends getting an oil change every 7,500 miles or every six months for 2008 and newer model year vehicles, whichever comes first, or every 5,000 miles or every six months for 2007 and older model year vehicles, whichever comes first.

However, you should change your oil and filter more often – every 5,000 miles or every six months for 2008 and newer model year vehicles, whichever comes first, or every 3,000 miles or every three months for 2007 and older model year vehicles, whichever comes first – if you do any of the following:

Tow or carry heavy loads
Idle or drive at low speeds for long distances
Drive in dusty conditions
Drive off road frequently
Use E85 fuel more than 50% of the time

If you have any questions about the recommended oil change intervals for your specific vehicle, be sure to check your Owner's Manual.

http://owner.ford.com/servlet/Conten...=1239636411265

[BlueFocusSE5]

Originally Posted by thejordan

Yes priming the oil filter can prevent initial/temporary rod knock. That didn't seem to be what you were saying initially. Saying oil changes themselves are more damaging is a bit of a misnomer. Poor oil itself the biggest damage to an engine especially if not filtered properly or if it loses viscosity. The damage from a proper oil change versus a cold start will be negligible.

If it were negligible, people wouldn't be bothering to prime the oil filter. When the oil system loses all its pressure during an oil change and then the engine is started, metal-to-metal wear is going on that an engine never see's at any other time in its life. Excessive oil changes does an engine no favors.

[BlueFocusSE5]

Originally Posted by OPsDad

Motorcraft 5w20 is the recommended oil for the 2.0L.

Vehicle manufacturers always recommend their own oils be used, of course. When you want to know the truth, follow the money. Any oil brand meeting the specification for that engine can be used.