The only way you can calculate how much oil it's using is to fill it to the full mark on the dip stick and then see how long it takes to go down to half. Normally between empty and full on the stick is 1ltr of oil so put in another half litre and see where that takes you. Only check the level when the engine is cold and hasn't run for a while.
If you bought the car second hand and don't know it's service history it wouldn't hurt to take it into a garage and have an oil and filter change, at least then you're starting from known point with clean oil & filter.
Firstly, you say "half way through my journey that it was at the bottom of the dipstick" - You do realise that if you check the oil immediately after switching off the engine, most of the oil is still up in the engine and not lying in the sump where it's supposed to be when you check it?
Look in the handbook for how to check the oil, it's usually done either cold, or at least 10-15 minutes after a warm engine has been switched off. Check it like this every week and then you'll get an idea of how much, if any, it's using.
Hi Tom
most ford engines drink oil. that is a fact of life most of from the older generation learned a long time ago. most ford engines hold i imperial gallon 4.55 litres of oil. yes you do need to keep it topped up. you should always check before or after a long run such as 100 miles. this ideal that says oil changes should be 10 k miles is not the case with most ford engines 3-4k miles and always change the oil filter it is as essential as an oil change as it removes all the shavings of metal from the engine.
if these are left in there they increase the engines wear.
You should maintain the oil level at the maximum mark and check it weekly to start with. Then you will get an idea of oil usage. It pays to use fully synthetic oil as this stuff is resistant to burning and does everything else better than mineral oil. It mixes with mineral oil ok, but I would change your oil and filter asap. Tesco and Asda sell 5w-40 fully synthetic for around ￡20. Worth every penny.
Just.. keep an eye on it.. if it loses oil, take it in for a warranty checkout.. say that you're losing oil
Once an oil drinker always and oil eater!
oh btw, oil pressure was absolutely fine
I just purchased a Ford Focus ST and noticed half way through my journey that it was at the bottom of the dipstick for oil. Now that I'm back home I've filled it up roughly 1 to 1 and a half litres of oil and it's a quarter of the way on the markings. I don't believe it's losing oil, just that it's low. It seems to idle fine and not make any noises but I'm a bit paranoid now. Will my engine be fine? I believe that it holds anywhere from 5-6.8 litres of oil (not sure exactly) so this would put it at between 3.5 and 5.3 litres of oil. Do I have any need to worry?
