I have imported a 68 plate Focus Vignale 1.5 Ecoblue to Malta 🇲🇹. Question is, since I have been told to thicken the oil since it's a hot country, shall I stick to 0w20 as recommended by Ford? Car has done 36000kms now and it was imported in 2020 with 9500miles done in the UK.

I have since then used Castrol 0w20 with 952A spec as recommended 

Appreciate some feedback as local mechanics and even Ford Main dealer in Malta is suggesting 5w30.

Thanks 

 

 

Hi Kevin,

Is the car under warranty? If yes, will Ford Malta cover the car if you use the 5W-30 and something happens to the engine? Do they give this confirmation in writing? If yes, I guess you can go for it.

Second option is to get ForScan and check the oil temperature. As a reference, the oil should sit around 100 degC (this is what I have in my 1.0 ecoboost, and this is also what I have seen in some Vag Diesel engines running the 5W30). If yours is around this value, most likely you are fine with the 0w-20. If it goes higher (115-120 degC it might be a good idea to try the 5W30).

Still make sure Ford Malta covers the warranty with out of spec oil.

 

Cheers!

Doesn't the owners handbook give oil specifications for hotter countries?

2 hours ago, RaduF86 said:

Hi Kevin,

Is the car under warranty? If yes, will Ford Malta cover the car if you use the 5W-30 and something happens to the engine? Do they give this confirmation in writing? If yes, I guess you can go for it.

Second option is to get ForScan and check the oil temperature. As a reference, the oil should sit around 100 degC (this is what I have in my 1.0 ecoboost, and this is also what I have seen in some Vag Diesel engines running the 5W30). If yours is around this value, most likely you are fine with the 0w-20. If it goes higher (115-120 degC it might be a good idea to try the 5W30).

Still make sure Ford Malta covers the warranty with out of spec oil.

 

Cheers!

Thanks for your reply, car is out of warranty, I will do as you suggested and monitor the oil temperature through Forscan.

Thanks again

25 minutes ago, RMurphy195 said:

Doesn't the owners handbook give oil specifications for hotter countries?

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

I have an online handbook and does not specify different grades for hotter countries as such.

Kevin 

Exactly, neither does my manual. It specifies only the 5W-20, and now there is an update from Ford that as an alternative for cold climates the 0W-20 is recommended for the 1.0 ecoboost. Therefore, the hot viscosity index did not change. 

Out of curiosity, what do you consider to be hot in Malta? above 35 degC? above 40 degC?

Above 40 degrees is not the norm but 30-40 is normal, today is 32 and still June, worst is in August, but again above 40 is rare.

 

Kevin

 

12 minutes ago, RaduF86 said:

Exactly, neither does my manual. It specifies only the 5W-20, and now there is an update from Ford that as an alternative for cold climates the 0W-20 is recommended for the 1.0 ecoboost. Therefore, the hot viscosity index did not change. 

Out of curiosity, what do you consider to be hot in Malta? above 35 degC? above 40 degC?

56 minutes ago, RMurphy195 said:

Doesn't the owners handbook give oil specifications for hotter countries?

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

I have an online handbook and does not specify different grades for hotter countries as such.

Kevin