176 mile commute....pick my oil

[tomcruise]

I just started commuting 88 miles each way to work.

The car in question is a 2009 Ford Focus with the manual, specs 5w20.

The commute is about 94% highway, speeds between 60-75. I normally drive hard, but there is no traffic and the car just plugs along at 3k rmps the whole way.

Climate is dry with temperatures over 100°.

My parent's have owned this car since it had 10k miles on it (123k currently) and has had oil changes done at home with Motorcraft or Chevron Supreme with a Motorcraft filter at 5k mile intervals.

The car has zero issues and uses no oil.

Should I continue with what my dad has been doing or something like Mobil 1 EP so I don't have to change it each month or so?

Everybody loves pictures...

 

[The motor guy]

Why not keep doing what you're doing? Engines with the longest run times between startups last the longest, so you have an ideal commute.

 

[userfriendly]

I would be tempted to run Delo 15w30 @ 10K mile oil drain intervals.

 

[The motor guy]

I'm not sure how people drive so far to work, unless it's just a matter of running 80 on the freeway the whole way. Even at 30mpg that's a good bit of fuel everyday.

 

[tomcruise]

Well the point is, I would have to change the oil almost once a month. Usless you think I could extend the interval on Chevron? It's $11 at Walmart.

 

[tomcruise]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
I'm not sure how people drive so far to work, unless it's just a matter of running 80 on the freeway the whole way. Even at 30mpg that's a good bit of fuel everyday.


I get about 36mpg and spend almost $300 on gas a month. Unfortunately, I am in a situation at the moment where it is necessary.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Tha'ts some crazy crazy distance everyday!

I used to commute 44 miles each way when I was in university for a gov't job. I hated having to fill my car once every 3-4 days. It was also on the highway, so at least I wasn't idling in traffic

 

[Eddie]

I would pick a name brand synthetic, a good Ford or equiv filter and run 10,000 miles and do a UOA. From the uoa, I would then adjust the OCI if needed.

 

[Ethan1]

Mobil1 EP, send a sample to Blackstone, and see how long you can take the oil. You'll save time, money, and resources.

 

[meborder]

When I had your commute a decade ago I had a 94 ford escort. I had always ran 5k oci with motorcraft.

It didn't take very many months to figure out that monthly oil changes suck.

I ended up running castrol syntec and just changed the oil every 3 months regardless of miles. It was always between 10k-12k at that 3 month interval.

That car now sits in the shed with 220k on the clock and ran like a champ when I parked it. Never did have to ad oil in that 3 month oci.

Back in the same boat, id do the exact same thing without hesitation.

Did that drive for a year and a half. Was worth every penny spent on fuel too because it got me where I am today. I consider it the best investment I've ever made. I invested in my career and it rewarded me by going from $13/hr to over $30/hr.

I hope your drive works out for you as it did for me, my friend.
Godspeed.

 

[WobblyElvis]

I would buy whatever synthetic is on sale, including house brands like super tech, any decent filter and change oil every 12,000 miles.
Synthetic is better in the heat and your drivng is very very easy on the oil. 12,000 miles is nothing for these conditions.

 

[daves87rs]

M1 HM every 10-12k

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
I would buy whatever synthetic is on sale, including house brands like super tech, any decent filter and change oil every 12,000 miles.
Synthetic is better in the heat and your drivng is very very easy on the oil. 12,000 miles is nothing for these conditions.


This and if it were my car, I would move to a 5W-30. It will stay at or above the target viscosity range longer than a 5W-20.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'd get M1 EP with a good extended drain filter then pull a UOA at 12K. If it's good to go for a ways, keep doing that!

 

[oilmutt]

What ever you pick,check WM,often for the oil and filter price!

 

[antonmnster]

Have a similar commute with my partner's '11 Focus. Running 10k changes, although we're up to 12.5k on the current M1 5-20 fill. Might be a good one to UOA.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

You could use Amsoil SS for 25,000 miles. An Amsoil EA filter is rated for 15k.
Use the SS oil, and a EA filter, or Fram Ultra, and change the filter once during the 25k oil life. Not sure how hard it is to get to the filter.
Or M1 EP with a M! filter. Both are good for 15k miles.

Would save a lot of time and money in the long run.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Mobil1 EP, send a sample to Blackstone, and see how long you can take the oil. You'll save time, money, and resources.


Yes, and use a Mobil 1 filter. Take an oil sample via the dipstick at 10K miles and see how far you can go based on the report.

 

[901Memphis]

I think it's a good candidate for Mobil 1 EP and 15k changes with a uoa to confirm, but fast miles are easy

 

[blupupher]

Cheapest name brand 5w-20 Syn oil you can find (even Supertech for like $12/jug) and a Wix or better filter and do an oil change every 3 months.

When I had my Elantra I did 7500 mile OCI when under warranty, and went to 10,000 miles when warranty was up using whatever Syn was on sale and a Wix filter. I was not driving as far as you every day (was doing ~400 miles a week, 95% highway no traffic), but had no issues with it.