Ford Focus - Gargage Used Wrong Oil

vaio

sassy-one wrote: »

I wouldn't worry to much, in fact it's a better oil than the spec stated in the Ford manual.

The only thing to keep an eye on when using oil is make sure the viscosity matches what is needed for your engine

Not quite sure how you can say it’s a better oil, different maybe and not what the manufacturers or the oil companies specify to use.

I'm bit confused, your first sentence says “don’t worry”, your second says “make sure the viscosity matches what is needed for your engine”

The car has been filled with 5W40 Edge when it should have 5W30 Magnatec so are you saying the OP should change it or not?

dannymccann

Is A3 better than A4 or the other way around, I never can remember.... (oil not Audi's)

And I never knew the Galaxy had the VW PD engines in them!

C_Mababejive

I'd be more interested in knowing what is so special about Ford engines that they are so specific about the oil !

Ollieblackdog

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I'd be more interested in knowing what is so special about Ford engines that they are so specific about the oil !

I don't know about being special.... More like tight running tolerances.

When the Zetec engine was released in the early '90s they suffered a lot of problems with poorly seating exhaust valves or at worst burning out the exhaust valves. This would cause uneven running and high emissions.

This was due to oil viscosity.... say if a standard 10w/40 had been used. There was a modification to replace the exhaust valves, hydraulic lifters and pressure relief valve in the head.

Ever since Ford have specified 5w/30 semi synthetic oil for pretty much most of its petrol models

I would use Comma xtech 5w/30 as it's parent company is Exxon Mobil i.e. makers of Mobil1.

molerat

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I'd be more interested in knowing what is so special about Ford engines that they are so specific about the oil !

...... and Opel /Vauxhall, and BMW, and Merc, and VW group, and .......................

Many specify different oils for different engines and different service cycles on the same engine. At least Ford just specify one oil pretty much across the whole range

darich

the 5w40 in your engine will be thicker at high temperatures than the 5w30....that's possibly why Ford specified the 5w30.

Even though the oil in your car may be good high quality stuff.....I'd be going back and insisting on the stuff that the Manufacturer specified.

cyclonebri1

jimbo_the_jetset wrote: »

Recently had a service at a local chain of garages.
Upon questioning the details on the invoice which showed the wrong type of oil, I was told that they had actually used Castrol Edge 5W40 oil. After a bit of internet research I have found out that this oil does not meet the required Ford specification and is classified as ACEA B4 which also does not meet the requirements as detailed in the owners manual.

Ford require either Ford oil, or that which meets the Ford specification or ACEA A1/B1 or A3/B3.

The garage say that they have serviced many makes and model of cars with this and have never had any problems and the EDGE oil is much better than say the 5W30 Magnatec that does meet the Ford spec and is recommended by Castrol when you put the vehicle details into their website.

Should I worry about having EDGE 5W40 in my car? Will it cause damage? Will it affect fuel ecomony (thicker at running temp = engine working harder)? Should I request that they put in oil which meets the specification or am I getting too fussy?

I have e-mailed Castrol and they suggest I take it back and ask (or tell) them to change the oil and use the correct stuff

ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR if this oil does not meet the minimun standard requierd by Ford you have every right to complain

Not only that, but if you have used a lesser spec oil than is required, you could claim serios damages should the engine fail catescrophically, or similar

vaio

dannymccann wrote: »

Is A3 better than A4 or the other way around, I never can remember.... (oil not Audi's).....

Don't know about the oil world but the A4 is better than the A3 and the S4 is better still Fun to drive and pretty MSE too.

jimbo_the_jetset

Wow, lots of responses over the weekend so I thought I'd give you all an update on proceedings.

Expecting a bit of an argument I went back to the garage and actually had a nice chat with a service agent who owns a Ford himself and therefore know that it should be 5W 30, so agreed to do a flush, new filter + new oil. I even left a note on the steering wheel to indicate to the mechanic that it must be a flush, new filter and 5W 30 oil to Ford Spec, i.e. Castrol Magnatec 5w 30 A1. Should be all done by now.

Just a bit shocked by the various mis-information from the garage. Bloke A - Edge is better, Bloke B - Don't stock 5W 30, Bloke C - that wrong, we'll change that for you sir and yes we stock 5W 30. Not going back there in a hurry. North Eastern Tyre & Autocare in York to name and shame them.

I'm also quite surprised by the fact that people seem to think that this Edge oil is better for all cars. Unless someone can prove me wrong by some very technical analysis I will go by what the Castol website says. The Edge oil was specifically designed with VW for use (generally) in VW and Audi engines. The assumption by people that it is generally better seems only to be based on the RRP.

Not sure if it is due to the oil or not but I had starting thinking that it was taking longer to crank at start up (even when warm) and that this might be due to the 40 oil when it should be 30. Might report back if the difference is apparent when I get it back.

jimbo_the_jetset

molerat wrote: »

At least Ford just specify one oil pretty much across the whole range

Again this is why I am surprised by the lack of knowledge in the garage. Even a flick through the Castrol flip chart in Tesco shows that since 1998 90% of all Ford cars need 5w 30 A1 (fuel efficient).

The fact that Bloke B at the garage said the don't have time to refer to each and every service book for the requirements is scary.