What oil for a beater vehicle?

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: car51
So my friend has got himself a older 02' Focus wagon that he probably won't drive much. He asked me what oil I would use in it. I said probably Rural King oil or even MS5K and a decent filter like a Carquest. What do you folks use in a beater or car that's not your daily driver or one that's not driven much. Discuss

How many miles on it? Does it burn/leak oil? What is factory spec'd?
Without knowing any of these answers I would guesstamate STHM 10W40 with a MC or Purolator classic filter.

 

[TFB1]

Really??? Whatever 5W-30 that's on sale, makes no difference...

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: car51
So my friend has got himself a older 02' Focus wagon that he probably won't drive much. He asked me what oil I would use in it. I said probably Rural King oil or even MS5K and a decent filter like a Carquest. What do you folks use in a beater or car that's not your daily driver or one that's not driven much. Discuss


When you are out driving if you see a big store called Walmart stop there and get some Pennzoil.

 

[Oregoonian]

I believe the 02' Focus specs for 5w20. Don't even consider a 40 weight oil....thats just foolish IMO.

I would suggest using a blend, specifically MOTORCRAFT 5w20....which can be purchased at Walmart in 5 quart jugs for $17 and change.

Also the Motorcraft filter, would work perfectly with the oii.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
I believe the 02' Focus specs for 5w20. Don't even consider a 40 weight oil....thats just foolish IMO.

I would suggest using a blend, specifically MOTORCRAFT 5w20....which can be purchased at Walmart in 5 quart jugs for $17 and change.

Also the Motorcraft filter, would work perfectly with the oii.

In that case, use the new UNIVERSAL oil, 0W40.

 

[Ben Boyle]

I get my Wolf's Head at the local Auto Value. I run 3 grades
Super Duty 10-30 in my old pickup
Extreme Duty 15w-40 in my old cars check out http://www.benboyle.com/uoa.pdf
and my new Buick gets Syn Pack Dexos 5-30

 

[ejes]

Originally Posted By: car51
Ejes: I'll tell him about that. I never honestly tried the ST syn yet


I've run SuperTech Full Syn in my 04' Ram 1500 5.7 since I purchased it new. Have ran in it in my Toyota Rav4 since I bought it new in 07'. Still have both; engines are strong and no issues related to oil. Have ran PYB in my 97' Buick LeSabre I bought with 90k 3 years ago for my kids' school car. Both have been good oils.

This is a good site for checking out oils. Wolf's Head looks good too; they don't sell it around here so I have never heard of it before this thread: http://pqiamerica.com/

 

[Gasbuggy]

Mobil 2

 

[WiskyBadger]

Whatever AZ has on clearance.

 

[daves87rs]

Mine gets whatever I catch on sale/clearance. Currently it enjoys some PU 5w30....

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
I believe the 02' Focus specs for 5w20. Don't even consider a 40 weight oil....thats just foolish IMO.

I would suggest using a blend, specifically MOTORCRAFT 5w20....which can be purchased at Walmart in 5 quart jugs for $17 and change.

Also the Motorcraft filter, would work perfectly with the oii.

In that case, use the new UNIVERSAL oil, 0W40.

Oregoonian, I was j/k with you.

But, 0W40 seems to be the new "go to" oil. Kind of like 5W30 is the most "go to" oil currently.
He hasn't specified if it burns and/or leaks oil. I think these 2 items should be taken into consideration before suggesting an oil. But, that's just my opinion.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
He hasn't specified if it burns and/or leaks oil. I think these 2 items should be taken into consideration before suggesting an oil. But, that's just my opinion.

At times, that can be my first consideration. I have no desire to burn of $10+ per litre oil or have it spill on the driveway, if either of those scenarios can at all be avoided.

 

[53' Stude]

Had a leak on one corner of valve cover so we are changing that as well as spark plugs. doesn't burn any oil though

 

[SirTanon]

If you have a Sam's Club membership, they sell cases of "Certified" brand oil, in 5w20 weight, for about $24. That works out to about $2 a quart. From what I've seen, it's a really good oil.

 

[53' Stude]

Thanks for the tip, but I don't think he is a member. I'll ask

 

[SLCraig]

Lump my post in with most other people.. Whatever is the best price. I can get a good deal from a buddy at a local parts store, they have Total oils. I can get the conventional for $3/L every day which is what I buy for my Saturn. I have been using the Quartz synthetic for my SI.

 

[crazyoildude]

PYB if the price is good otherwise Mobil super which is usually a good price.. Another good oil at a good price is Smittys Super S sometimes at a good price at K mart.

 

[Diego3336]

These Zetec engines are quite easy on oil. My car has a Zetec 1.8 16v engine and Ford incorrectly recommended 15W40 and 20W50 oils on user's manual for the 98 and 99 model years here in Brazil and I used 20W50 on it for some time before switching for 15W40 and 5W30, as 5W30 is the correct weight for this engine, and despite the valve-lifters noise that is somewhat characteristic of this engine, I never had any oil-related problem.

I think this Focus will be cool with any brand name 5W30 or even 5W40, conventional or not.