Went to Kwik Fit for their cheapo oil change for Mrs Smokies Focus. I was going to go for semi-synth but they didn't have any in. (NB their prices have gone up a little - synth is now £39 not £34).
When they realised it was a Zetec, they said that needs special Zetec oil, which works out at £28 incl Coopers filter. They didn't have any Zetec oil either...
What is Zetec oil?
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5w30 is the standard oil for Zetec and it could be semi-syn (Motorcraft or Castrol) or fully-syn (Valolin - is that how you spell it?).
You have to use 30-weight oil and not 40. Cold vicosity not as as important, could be 0w or 5w.
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Zetec recommended oil is 5w/30 semi synth. Fords own is Texaco. You could use a full synth but only if the hot viscosity doesnt exceed 30w, and cold viscosity is 0w or 5w
Andrew
Simplicate and add lightness!!
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Still, £28 for an oil & filter change using Zetec oil is dirt cheap IMO
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
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In Oct 2003 I changed the oil on 2 litre 99 Focus.
From a Ford dealer
Oil..............£21.51 Ford SAE 5W-30 WSS - M2C913-B
Filter...........£ 5.88 Ford EFL600
Sump plug...£ 3.88
It was not that easy to get at the filter at the back of the engine.It was a bit messy with spilled oil from the filter. It did not look as if it was easier if the car is raised. I was just able to reach over the engine to get at the filter.
I understand other Focus engine filters are at the front.
I did need to change the sump plug, as recommended, as the O ring was damaged.
I was happy to pay for the Ford items so that no questionsare asked if the car is sold. The next change is at annual service to keep the dreaded stamps in the book and to keep the bought warranty intact.
Next time I change the oil I will check that my marked filter is no longer on the car. At least I am certain the filter is changed at least annually.
So £28 may be dirt cheap and you keep your hands clean but I, unlike others, who may not have the time or inclination, prefer to play safe and also I know the sump plug should be OK.
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According to the Haynes manual for my 1997 Escort 1.8 16v, Zetec engines require SAE 5w/30 to Ford specification WSS-M2C913-A. I buy my engine oil from my local Morrisons supermarket at approximately half the cost of similar oil from motor factors or Halfords. The supermarket have several different types of oil for sale but the one I buy is specifically marked "Fully synthetic - Ford A rated - for use in Zetec petrol engines". It's around £17-£18 for 5 litres.
The reason Zetecs need special oil is because we in the UK like to pootle around gently, changing up at 3,000rpm, and never really stretching the engine's legs. This cause the valve guides to clag up and will eventually lead to sticking valves, something which "Ford A-rated" engine oil helps to prevent.
This problem is less apparent in continental Europe, where drivers realise the inherent characteristics of 16 valve engines favour high-rev use and consequently run their engines above 5,000rpm on a regular basis.
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£17-18 is the half the price of Halfords and others?????????????????
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For some reason, Ford use the word "Zetec" to denote both a model variant and an engine type. For example, my car is a 2 litre petrol Ghia, but on the cambox cover it says 16v Zetec. In my (Dec 2002) Owners Guide the oil specification for all engines is the same, namely SAE 5W-30 meeting the requirements of Ford Specification WSS-M2C913-B.
I suspect that the spokesperson at the branch of Kwik Fit you went to didn't know what they were talking about. If you look at their website, www.kwik-fit.com/, you'll see they're not even consistent about how they spell the company name ~ KwikFit, Kwik Fit or Kwik-Fit. Not very impressive.
To get it straight from the horse's mouth, look in your Owners Guide.
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The Ford branded (Texaco, as others have said) oil is so cheap, it's not worth shopping around. £20 or a whisker less for 5 litres. My dad's old Mondeo 2.0 breezed 200k running on a new sumpful of this stuff with a Motorcraft filter once a year, and still sounded sweet as new when he moved it on.
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