Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 1999 1.8 Cause of higher petrol consumption?

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Sat 20 Dec 2008 20:50
1999 1.8 Cause of higher petrol consumption? - jp147
I drive a Ford Focus 1.8 petrol which is a 99T with about 78k miles.

I had a service last month and when I got home afterwards and looked at the invoice, it said that the oil used was 10w/40. The next day I told the garage the oil should really be 5w/30 and they agreed to change it. However I have noticed in the last 4 weeks that I have only been getting between 23-26 miles per gallon urban driving instead of the usual 27 mpg for this engine. I wonder if this is to do with the oil change or if it is to do with other factors like colder weather for example. Also sometimes it does not start first time and I've got it in my head that the 10w/40 oil is still in the engine and that this thicker oil is causing all my problems.

Is there any way I can test the oil on the dipstick to find out once and for all ?

Thanks
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Sat 20 Dec 2008 21:18
1999 1.8 Cause of higher petrol consumption? - Dynamic Dave
As has been suggested with the replies to your other questions on this, if you're unsure the correct spec oil has been used, then get it changed again. Tell them the oil spec you want them to use, and observe at close quarters that they pour the right stuff in.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=70069

I suspect the lower mpg is down to the colder weather though - as has also previously been suggested.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=69871
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Sat 20 Dec 2008 23:01
1999 1.8 Cause of higher petrol consumption? - Number_Cruncher
>>Is there any way...

Buy a vacuum extractor (e.g., Pela), and change the oil yourself. Then, you can be 100% certain.

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Mon 22 Dec 2008 11:59
1999 1.8 Cause of higher petrol consumption? - L'escargot
According to my Owner's Guide the preferred viscosity is 5W-30 for all ambient temperatures, but 10W-40 is acceptable for ambient temperatures down to -20 C.
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Mon 2 Mar 2009 18:18
1999 1.8 Increased fuel consumption & starting tro - jp147
Ford Focus 1.8 petrol 78k 1999

I had an oil change last November and the idiot at the garage put in 10w40 engine oil instead of the recommended 5w30 oil. So I went back to the garage the same day to confront him about it and he agreed to change it again and put in the 5w30 (which he really should know and if there is more than one type of oil that can be used for any engine then the mechanic should give you the choose of which you would like used). So I went back the next day for him to change it and he took about half an hour to do it.

Since then, however, and through the winter, I have been getting about 23/24 mpg urban driving whereas before I used to get 27mpg quite regularly. Also the engine has been needing 2 or 3 attempts before it starts, not every day. This starting problem seems to occur not when cold but when the engine has been run up to normal temperature.

What are the items on the car I should test to find the cause of these troubles ?

Thanks
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