Hi,
The intelligent oil monitor went on the first time after ~ 12000 miles / 8 months and I am thinking about the costs of oil changes in the next few years. I have done some simple math and came out with three plans:
1. Every 5000 mile / 2 month
SuperTech 0W-20 and SuperTech filters
cost per year (including labor and taxes) ~ 300
2. Every 7500 mile / 3 month
M1 EP 5W-20 / Fram Ultra
cost ~ 260
3. Every 10000 mile / 4 month
M1 AP 0W-20 / Fram Ultra
cost ~ 240
Savings from doing extended drain are not that significant, but you save the time and hassle. I will be driving around 25000 highway / 5000 city miles per year.
I wonder why the numbers of M1 EP 5W-20 look better than 0W-20, but in reverse M1 AP 0W-20 got better numbers than 5W-20? And Ford says never exceed 10000 miles between oil change, but the intelligent oil monitor exceeds that limit?
I have done a few oil changes before the oil monitor comes out. The first three were done at 100, 1000 and 2500 miles with SuperTech 0W-20 and Fram Ultra, and then 5000 and 10000 but with SuperTech filters. I do not stress the car much, so it should break in nicely. But I am concerned that the oil looks dark after 5000 miles, and it looks nicer (Brown) when having only 3000 miles. According to the owner manual, my driving pattern should be fine for 7500-10000 OCI, but the oil color kinda puts me into question. I always put 93-octane gas as Ford recommends 91-octane or above.
The Focus is just awesome. Great look, impressive handling and fuel economy for the price. I plan to keep the Focus for 2-3 more years, and will be upgrading to a Fusion, if Ford is still making cars at that point.
What do you think? And have a great Thanks-giving!
The intelligent oil monitor went on the first time after ~ 12000 miles / 8 months and I am thinking about the costs of oil changes in the next few years. I have done some simple math and came out with three plans:
1. Every 5000 mile / 2 month
SuperTech 0W-20 and SuperTech filters
cost per year (including labor and taxes) ~ 300
2. Every 7500 mile / 3 month
M1 EP 5W-20 / Fram Ultra
cost ~ 260
3. Every 10000 mile / 4 month
M1 AP 0W-20 / Fram Ultra
cost ~ 240
Savings from doing extended drain are not that significant, but you save the time and hassle. I will be driving around 25000 highway / 5000 city miles per year.
I wonder why the numbers of M1 EP 5W-20 look better than 0W-20, but in reverse M1 AP 0W-20 got better numbers than 5W-20? And Ford says never exceed 10000 miles between oil change, but the intelligent oil monitor exceeds that limit?
I have done a few oil changes before the oil monitor comes out. The first three were done at 100, 1000 and 2500 miles with SuperTech 0W-20 and Fram Ultra, and then 5000 and 10000 but with SuperTech filters. I do not stress the car much, so it should break in nicely. But I am concerned that the oil looks dark after 5000 miles, and it looks nicer (Brown) when having only 3000 miles. According to the owner manual, my driving pattern should be fine for 7500-10000 OCI, but the oil color kinda puts me into question. I always put 93-octane gas as Ford recommends 91-octane or above.
The Focus is just awesome. Great look, impressive handling and fuel economy for the price. I plan to keep the Focus for 2-3 more years, and will be upgrading to a Fusion, if Ford is still making cars at that point.
What do you think? And have a great Thanks-giving!
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