Bad Starts and Oil Change

This is definitely not up to spec. My 2000 Focus has always started fine through four Eastern Ontario winters. I would suspect a fuel problem. Have you tried injector cleaner or a new filter?

You are still under warrantee, so need to follow the recommendations in your owner's manual to keep your coverage.

In message , Adam Tracy wrote

Not synthetic (part synthetic) and not every 5000 miles in Europe. Why is the oil sold in the USA so s**te compared to that sold in the rest of the world?

On European Focus (at least those sold in Sweden) oil change is after 12500 miles (20 000 km).

My 03 ZTW fired up first time, every time last winter here in ND--coldest it got was -35F. I bought the car in AZ and drove up here and had the local dealer install the block heater. Took them almost a week. All kinds of installation problems, but it works fine and is a very good thing for the engine. Your problems I'd guess sound like a sensor--bring it back to the dealer and let them have a go at it. DO NOT put heet in the fuel--you don't need any of that crap, just 87 unleaded (unless you are at a higher altitude), which, if you'd taken the time to read the owner's manual on your investment, you'd already know. Suggest a good brand name gas--from a new station that gets a lot of business.

By now you've read your owner's manual and have answered your own oil change interval question. Just follow it, no worries.