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2005 Focus Oil question.

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#21 ·
"recommened the weight best for all temps eh..."

Yeah, I'm sure the best viscosity range for the oil in an engine starting in -25 degree temperatures and in +90 degree temperatures is identical due to the wonders of modern design.
 
#23 · (Edited)
"discuss this with the experts and tell us what you find."

Why bother? These oil discussions are like "what's my favorite beer?"

I've studied and discussed oil questions for more than 30 years, including a ten-year stint at Ford in Product Planning, where one of my good friends in Engineering was an engine design expert who also had an interest in oil performance.

I know about oil.

Whether you choose to believe what I say is up to you, but having the time and wherewithal to put up a web site does not make one an expert. Why would I want to get a username and go through the repetitive "discussions" I have participated in for many years already, with many self-proclaimed experts.

To be blunt, you are already discussing this with an expert.

P.S. Just in case you doubt my ability to understand the information I have read over many years, I do have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a couple of courses in Fluid Dynamics and one in Combustion Theory.
 
#24 ·
But did you design the Duratec engine and know it's tolerances and lubricant requirements from an engineering point of view ?

Not all engine tolerances are the same nor do they require the same lubricants.

Like I said, use what you want but don't recommend something that could possibley VOID warranty.
 
#25 ·
"Not all engine tolerances are the same nor do they require the same lubricants."

Yeah, and as the BMW TSB I posted shows, sometimes the engineers have to change their lubrication requirements after the engines have been put into production and start to fail.

But it is interesting to note that their response to engine failures in the field was NOT to go to a "thinner" oil, but rather to a 10W-60 oil. Guess they discovered the engine "tolerances" were bigger than they thought!
 
#27 ·
penguin said:
"Not all engine tolerances are the same nor do they require the same lubricants."

Yeah, and as the BMW TSB I posted shows, sometimes the engineers have to change their lubrication requirements after the engines have been put into production and start to fail.

But it is interesting to note that their response to engine failures in the field was NOT to go to a "thinner" oil, but rather to a 10W-60 oil. Guess they discovered the engine "tolerances" were bigger than they thought!
Click to expand...
Well, Ford changed their oil too on some cars to thinner/lighter weight.

TSB 02-1-9 includes the following 5.0L engines for the switch to 5w-20:
• 1993-1995 5.0L Mustang/Mustang Cobra
• 1993-1993 5.0L Thunderbird/Cougar
• 1997-2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
• 1993-1996 5.0L E-Series, F-Series, Bronco
 
#28 ·
BMW motors are not anywhere near on the same scale as our motors are, especially the M series. If I understand correctly, even the new Ford GT runs on synthetic 5w30. The old Cobra R ran on 15w50 Mobil 1, but that's a different story.


penguin said:
"The tolerances in todays engines are much tigher and require a much thinner oil"

What makes you think tighter tolerances require a thinner oil? Frankly it sounds like you are simply parroting something you read somewhere else. Tighter tolerances often permit thinner oil, but typically do not require it.

"I would not recommend running 15w50 to anyone on any modern motor at all."

I guerss BMW is wrong with their M3 engine recommendation. Obviously they should have talked to you first.

"from BMW Service Information Bulletin 11 06 01, October 2001

BMW has changed their engine-oil recommendation for all M cars equipped with the new S54 engine (E46 M3 coupe and convertible, 2001-on M coupe and M roadster) from the previous BMW High Performance Synthetic 5W-30 engine oil (made by Castrol), pn 07 51 0 017 866 (1 quart), to Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil"

Or perhaps the BMW M3 engine isn't a "modern motor?" Or has loose tolerances?
Click to expand...
 
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Discussion starter · #29 ·
rockNroll said:
I had a hunch this thread would go this way [:p] All this just because someone "was wondering" what oil others were running. Yep..just like a "best beer" thread.
Click to expand...
My threads always get off topic. I'm use to it, well not like off topic, but they turn ugly. Oh well, let them continue................
 
#30 ·
That's well said. I really don't care what oils people use, but I agree that something should not be recommended to someone who is curious if there could be severe consequences. If you use what Ford spends lots of money to design and specify, you really can't go wrong as long as you don't abuse your car. Ford and Honda both recommend a semisynthetic oil, and that's enough proof for me to be confident in using 5w20. Would I use 5w20 in my SVT Focus? Not a chance as I didn't buy that car just to drive it to church.

microtonal said:
But did you design the Duratec engine and know it's tolerances and lubricant requirements from an engineering point of view ?

Not all engine tolerances are the same nor do they require the same lubricants.

Like I said, use what you want but don't recommend something that could possibley VOID warranty.
Click to expand...
 
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#31 ·
microtonal said:
Well, Ford changed their oil too on some cars to thinner/lighter weight.

TSB 02-1-9 includes the following 5.0L engines for the switch to 5w-20:
• 1993-1995 5.0L Mustang/Mustang Cobra
• 1993-1993 5.0L Thunderbird/Cougar
• 1997-2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
• 1993-1996 5.0L E-Series, F-Series, Bronco
Click to expand...
Read the TSB. The change was made for improved fuel economy, not better protection. Its right there in the TSB.
 
#35 ·
rockNroll said:
I run Mobil 1 15w50. The reccomended oil is too thin and is recommended because Ford needed this thin "energy conserving" oil in order to meet thier wanted MPG, horsepower, and EPA numbers. In the winter I move to a lighter 10W30 weight.
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Focus Rookie. NO street engine in decent repair should be using a 50 weight oil..We all think we're running race cars because we put the foot down, but the internals of the engine don't know the difference. Check the shop manuals, and you'll see that the rod and main bearing clearances are about half the normal engine clearance. You're treading on dangerous waters. Engines that use 50W are generally built for racing and are build with more bearing clearance.
 
#36 ·
PDQEagle said:
Focus Rookie. NO street engine in decent repair should be using a 50 weight oil..We all think we're running race cars because we put the foot down, but the internals of the engine don't know the difference. Check the shop manuals, and you'll see that the rod and main bearing clearances are about half the normal engine clearance. You're treading on dangerous waters. Engines that use 50W are generally built for racing and are build with more bearing clearance.
Click to expand...
LMAO.... Focus rookie. I never said I run 50W oil. You obviuosly don't know what the oil rating means. 15W50 does not contain 50W oil. You should learn a little somethin about a subject before you post to it and make yourself look silly....again.
 
#37 ·
you can now get 5/20 at wal-mart, even in 5 quart. jugs to save cash...even mobil 1 in 5w20 at checker..expensive though! I run mobil 1 5w30 from wal-mart @ 20.00 for 5 qt. jug not bad[:)] they don't seem to carry 5w20 full synth. at w. mart though.
 
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#39 ·
rockNroll said:
LMAO.... Focus rookie. I never said I run 50W oil. You obviuosly don't know what the oil rating means. 15W50 does not contain 50W oil. You should learn a little somethin about a subject before you post to it and make yourself look silly....again.
Click to expand...
But why would you want your 20 weight Focus engineered motor to endure 50 weight ?

That's 2 and a 1/2 times the recommended/engineered weight.

"Another way of looking at multi-vis oils is to think of a 20W-50 as a 20 weight oil that will not thin more than a 50 weight would when hot."
 
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microtonal
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