[01-yellow-ZX3]

Speaking of that, when does everybody do their oil changes? Every 5k?

[S2]

2001 ZTS,Oct 19 2004, 10:29 AM Wrote:

SilverSVT,Oct 19 2004, 04:23 PM Wrote:.......unless you have passed 3 months or 5k kilometers, but we all know that.

I doubt many cars here see "severe service", most would do perfectly fine going 6 months/10,000.

Are you serious? I would never EVER let it go that long. I care about my car.

[SilverSVT]

2001 ZTS,Oct 19 2004, 04:29 PM Wrote:

SilverSVT,Oct 19 2004, 04:23 PM Wrote:.......unless you have passed 3 months or 5k kilometers, but we all know that.

I doubt many cars here see "severe service", most would do perfectly fine going 6 months/10,000.

Yeah I know, but I'm a spazz when it comes to my SVT and my bike(I have to change the oil in my bike often as it only holds 2 litres of oil which isn't very much for such a high strung hot running engine). I only stated those numbers because that is what is recommended . . .

My winter car can see 5000kms maybe a little more, but not anywhere near 10 000kms, as it is a high mileage car (215 000kms). I know 215 isn't THAT high but it is a 1994 Buick Regal . . . I'm surprised it's still moving . . .

If I were to use synthetic, I would change it every 8000kms or 5 months . . . but again, I am a spazz. I read somewhere that synthetic oil still works just fine at 10 000 miles (notice miles, not kms). . .

[S2]

Doesn't have to do with being a spazz, read the manual also, ford recommends changes at 5000 kms as well as every single oil change bay (quick lubes) around, it's an industry standard.

Leaving it to 10,000 is a stupid stupid move. Sorry to say but it is. I took care of 200+ vehicles every year when I worked for a rental car company and we had a couple trucks out on year rentals (one came back with 18,000 kms with no oil changes and the engine was basically ****ed. Knocking, etc. I actually replace the oil in my car every 3000-4000 kms MAX.

[2001 ZTS]

S2,Oct 19 2004, 04:36 PM Wrote:

2001 ZTS,Oct 19 2004, 10:29 AM Wrote:

SilverSVT,Oct 19 2004, 04:23 PM Wrote:.......unless you have passed 3 months or 5k kilometers, but we all know that.

I doubt many cars here see "severe service", most would do perfectly fine going 6 months/10,000.

Are you serious? I would never EVER let it go that long. I care about my car.

Quite serious it's in the paper work that comes with your car. The "recommended interval" is 6 months/10,000km unless:

-towing and/or driven in mountains
-constant stop and go, frequent idling*
-engine is used for power take off (not applicable for Focus)

In which case you then go 3 months or 5000. I've always gone about every 5 or 6 months regardless of milage.

The cars and oils have changed so much for the better in the last ten years. GM is now using 6 month/10,000km as a selling point, watch Ford start doing the same any day now.

Maybe if I had an SVT or something else similarily "higher strung" I'd go less than 10,000 km but even for my WRX it is 6000km.

*they are not talking about the kind of driving we all do, even me in downtown Toronto where it takes me 1/2 to go 4 km. They are talking about taxis and cop car type driving.

[Flofocus]

S2,Oct 19 2004, 12:51 PM Wrote:Doesn't have to do with being a spazz, read the manual also, ford recommends changes at 5000 kms as well as every single oil change bay (quick lubes) around, it's an industry standard.

Leaving it to 10,000 is a stupid stupid move. Sorry to say but it is. I took care of 200+ vehicles every year when I worked for a rental car company and we had a couple trucks out on year rentals (one came back with 18,000 kms with no oil changes and the engine was basically ****ed. Knocking, etc. I actually replace the oil in my car every 3000-4000 kms MAX.

My fathers bimmer's manual states to change the oil every 16K. <_<

We do it at every 5K anyways.

[2001 ZTS]

Here we go:

Which Maintenance Schedule is Right for You?

The normal maintenance schedule of 6 months or 10,000 km applies to those who operate their vehicle under typical,everyday driving conditions. The listed services should be performed at specified distance or time intervals. Items listed in "Special Operating Conditions"and "Additional Maintenance Requirements and Information" are services that only the noted vehicles and situations require.

Special Operating Conditions

Off-road use.
You tow a trailer or use a camper or car-top carrier.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop and go traffic).
You carry heavy loads.
Your vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial application.
You operate in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads.
You operate the vehicle off-road in water that is deeper than the hubs (1 /2wheel height) or in extremely muddy conditions. Affected components must be serviced daily.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Maintenance Monitor (VMM),change oil and filter when indicated by VMM,but do not go beyond 6 months.

If you primarily operate your vehicle in any of the more demanding “Special Operating Conditions” listed above, perform oil and filter changes every 3 months or 5,000 km and automatic transmission fluid and filter changes every 30 months or 50,000 km. Replace fuel filters every 20,000 km, transfer case fluid every 100,000 km, platinum spark plugs every 100,000 km and PCV valve every 100,000 km.

NOTE: If you only occasionally operate your vehicle in these conditions, it is not necessary to perform this additional maintenance.

Copyright  2004 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.


http://www.ford.ca/english/Maintaining/c.../011_2.asp

Remember it is your dealer who want's you in every three months, it is how they make their money. ;)

[01-yellow-ZX3]

When I signed up for my ESP, I had to sign a paper saying I'd get my oil changed at a Ford dealer every 5000km's, or my engine warranty might not be covered if I have problems down the road.

My parent's Audi's are recommended at every 8000km, and I thought the Focus was every 5000.

Either way, we always do every vehicle at 5000 kms anyways. Why not?

[S2]

I'll still change it before 5000, I have seen the oil (used to work the oil bays with a coworker at FORD) and it's gross up around 5000-6000 kms. For the little price it costs to change the oil, it's worth it in the end.

I didn't know about the recommended 10,000 part, either way, I will still be doing mine around 4000.

[01-yellow-ZX3]

When I used to change my own oil, at 5000kms even, it was black sludge, I couldn't believe the quality after such a short time. And even when I used synthetic, still looked like sludge.

[Flofocus]

I change it every 5k, just a habit from doing it with all of my cars. The oil in the focus is always clean when I change it, the Justy's comes out black and THICK.

[FocusTunerzx3]

im driving during the winter and changing nothing...it doesnt snow or get cold here.

[ANTHONYD]

We should change the tilte of this thread. ;)

[Focus Is Art]

Color of the oil |= ability to lub the engine, especially w/ syn oil. When I am in high school, the jet engine w/ syn oil(I know they are much better but..) change every 300hrs of air time(is long time ago don't remember exactly). When you do the math, let said it go 700km/hr x 300hrs = 20000km.
I have 2 cars(focus and 328is), both syn oil only. focus is my daily beater and change it whenever I feel it need, usually around 12k km never have problem for 165k km. And on the bimmer I change it twice a yr, early spring and late fall, never have a problem since 98. :)

[01-yellow-ZX3]

Quote:And on the bimmer I change it twice a yr

:o

I change the oil in my car about 6 times a year.

[2001 ZTS]

01-yellow-ZX3,Oct 19 2004 Wrote:I change the oil in my car about 6 times a year.

Jebus H Christmas, no wonder they had to invade Iraq.

For the record I am not a crazy person.

Read my lips, no read the Ford link I posted. Ford says it is OK, it has been for a while.

Last time this subject came up and everyone said I was off my nut guess who jumped in and said I was the only person who wasn't? It was P-51. He's not god but he is down with the relevent technology.

Cars and oil are so different from your mom and dad's day when you needed lots of lube, the flushing away of ground off metal, big ass filters and big ass magnets in your oil pan etcetera because the machinery tolerances were so slack. That is just not the case any more. Accept change.

Save your money, save your time, save the environment, save the baby seals.

[01-yellow-ZX3]

I drive about 30,000 kms a year. Change the oil at every 5000. Equals 6 oil changes a year.

My car, my money, I'll change the oil when I want, and thats at the recommended 5000 kms that I signed when I bought my ESP.

[2001 ZTS]

Thats fine, believe me I'm the last person to ever listen to what anyone says, especially folks around here. ;)

You are quite right about "it's my money". I've been often told how to spend it and it bugs the hell out of me each time!

[ZX3TUNR]

I change mine every 4000k. I wont let Ford change it no more. There was only one guy I would let work on my car and he moved away. Now I am doing it myself.

[dannyq]

I change mine every 6000km.Some people I know change it every second sat, some people are wayyyyy too paranoid. ;)