according to my service manager at the dealership, he got a memo saying that all 2003 SVT vehicles must use synthetic oils 100% of the time. How is the 2003 different from the 2003 in that it would need synth?
All 2003 SVT use synthetic oil only
TurboCAT
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The memo was probably from the oil company
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I think these dealer service managers should stop sucking on tail pipes from the cars in the shop
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There is no difference in the engine from 02 to 03, look in the back of your supplemental booklet. You can use synthetic but only after the engine is past a break in period of 4000 to 6000 miles, just ask SVT
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I think these dealer service managers should stop sucking on tail pipes from the cars in the shop
There is no difference in the engine from 02 to 03, look in the back of your supplemental booklet. You can use synthetic but only after the engine is past a break in period of 4000 to 6000 miles, just ask SVT
They should have put synthetic in the SVTF from the factory. Almost all of us '02 owners use it now.
I didn't bring the rpms up past 5500 until I got 1500 miles on my brand new SVTF (1 year ago). I then upgraded the oil to fully synthetic at 1500 miles! Then I drove around like it was a little race car (which it is). Shortly after I read in the owners manual that Ford suggests you wait until 5000 miles to use synthetic. Doh!!!
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I didn't bring the rpms up past 5500 until I got 1500 miles on my brand new SVTF (1 year ago). I then upgraded the oil to fully synthetic at 1500 miles! Then I drove around like it was a little race car (which it is). Shortly after I read in the owners manual that Ford suggests you wait until 5000 miles to use synthetic. Doh!!!
Heheh, that's what I was thinking. The only thing that differs between the other Focus models and the SVT in terms of oil is the weight; the SVT requires 5w-30 whereas the rest use 5w-20. How many dealerships know THAT without you telling them? Not many....The memo was probably from the oil company![Image]()
Hmm couple things to point out....the 5w20 oil that Ford uses is a Synthic blend oil (IIRC thats what I saw on the Motorcraft 5w20 bottles at Walmart
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) and also on the old board I could have remember seeing that Biker16 posted an updated list for 5W20 oil useage in certain vechicles, and the Zetec SVT Motor was on it. I'll see if I can find it.
I think the people at SVT should have the final word on this stuff. I’ve asked a few times on the board and to FJ members directly. So many people have phoned SVT on oil and oil filters and every time it’s the same thing. Look at the booklet; the specs are the same from the 02 to 03 (checked it myself) and if they miss printed the first 4788 booklets then they are continuing to miss print the 03’s even after phone calls from owners that have retarded service personal.
Oil filter# FL-400 S
Reason? No idea but SVT says so.
Oil Grade, 5W30
Reason? I think because we use premium fuel, 10.2 to 1 compression, and will most likely hit higher revs with “spirited driving” which all add up to more heat, hence a thicker oil for better protection and longevity.
Reason for synthetic ONLY AFTER 4000 to 6000 miles is to ensure complete break-in and a better seal (better compression) for the piston rings inside the cylinders. There could be more to it but I think that’s the main reason.
Question SVT on this stuff and you might as well ask why they put 17” wheels on instead of the 15” size on the base models.
It’s an SVT that’s why, period.
Oil filter# FL-400 S
Reason? No idea but SVT says so.
Oil Grade, 5W30
Reason? I think because we use premium fuel, 10.2 to 1 compression, and will most likely hit higher revs with “spirited driving” which all add up to more heat, hence a thicker oil for better protection and longevity.
Reason for synthetic ONLY AFTER 4000 to 6000 miles is to ensure complete break-in and a better seal (better compression) for the piston rings inside the cylinders. There could be more to it but I think that’s the main reason.
Question SVT on this stuff and you might as well ask why they put 17” wheels on instead of the 15” size on the base models.
It’s an SVT that’s why, period.
apperently they got this information about 2003 using synth out of the 2003 shop service manual.
Yes, I still tell them when I bring the car in, and then confirm with the tech who changed the oil to make sure they use the right stuff.
Yes, I still tell them when I bring the car in, and then confirm with the tech who changed the oil to make sure they use the right stuff.
One comment about the oil filter after reading the posted link from “J-Rod” is that if you consider that if the FL-400 S filter flows better and has better filtration while using full synthetic, you should not have to worry about cold starts. The full synthetic oils stay on the parts a lot longer before they drain into the pan.
No worries about cold starts (unless you park it for a really long time) and a filter that flows/filters better.
This just makes more sense if they say to wait for the break in period before using synthetic when using the FL-400 S.
Either way this just re-enforces the booklet specs as far as I’m concerned.
No worries about cold starts (unless you park it for a really long time) and a filter that flows/filters better.
This just makes more sense if they say to wait for the break in period before using synthetic when using the FL-400 S.
Either way this just re-enforces the booklet specs as far as I’m concerned.
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123 Posts
FROM THE 2003 HELM SERVICE MANUAL:
SECTION 303-01C: Engine — 2.0L Duratec ST 2003 Focus Workshop Manual
SPECIFICATIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine Data Description 2.0L DOHC 16V
Engine management EEC V/SEFI
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Bore 84.8 mm
Stroke 88.0 mm
Number of main bearings 5
Cubic capacity (cm 3 ) 1,988
Compression ratio 10.2:1
Maximum engine power 170 hp
Maximum engine speed 7,000 rpm
Maximum engine torque at 5,500 rpm 198 lb ft
Engine Oil Viscosity/ambient temperature Description Specification
Recommended engine oil
SAE 5W-20 / below -30°C to over +40°C SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum Institute ILSAC GF-3 and WSS-M2C153-H
SAE 5W-20 / below -30°C to over +40°C Ford Formula E Economy Engine Oil ACEA A1/B1 and WSS-M2C912-A1
If engine oils of this specification are not available, engine oils of specification API SH/EC, ACEA A2/B2 or ACEA A3/B3 may also be used.
SECTION 303-01C: Engine — 2.0L Duratec ST 2003 Focus Workshop Manual
SPECIFICATIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine Data Description 2.0L DOHC 16V
Engine management EEC V/SEFI
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Bore 84.8 mm
Stroke 88.0 mm
Number of main bearings 5
Cubic capacity (cm 3 ) 1,988
Compression ratio 10.2:1
Maximum engine power 170 hp
Maximum engine speed 7,000 rpm
Maximum engine torque at 5,500 rpm 198 lb ft
Engine Oil Viscosity/ambient temperature Description Specification
Recommended engine oil
SAE 5W-20 / below -30°C to over +40°C SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum Institute ILSAC GF-3 and WSS-M2C153-H
SAE 5W-20 / below -30°C to over +40°C Ford Formula E Economy Engine Oil ACEA A1/B1 and WSS-M2C912-A1
If engine oils of this specification are not available, engine oils of specification API SH/EC, ACEA A2/B2 or ACEA A3/B3 may also be used.
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751 Posts
Who cares, 198 lb ft is 198 lb ft. Nothing euro about that.
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