2001 Ford Escort ES maintenance questions

[Male Escort]

Hey everyone, new to the Forum.
I just bought a 2001 Escort ES 4-door sedan. I want to do some basic changes on it and would like your advice. It has 71,000 miles on it and the car dealer I got it from put new front rotors, new transmission mounts/motor mounts, oil change, as well as front and rear brakes on it. I want to change out the plugs and wires, air filter, and switch to a synthetic 5w-20 motor oil. I'm assuming that this car has the single overhead cam engine (it says 2.0 L Split Port on it).
What is the best sparkplug for this application, as well as a good brand of wires and air/oil filters? Any of the synthetic oils work better that any of the others? Any suggestions as to additional things I should look at, or consider changing? The car is in really nice shape and I want it to last a long time.
Thanks in advance for any help!

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Male Escort

...I want to change out the plugs and wires, air filter, and switch to a synthetic 5w-20 motor oil.

Motorcraft, Motorcraft, Motorcraft.

Typically available at Walmart or other discount auto parts stores.

IMHO, I would NOT spend the extra for full synthetic oil. Motorcraft, or other name brands (Pennzoil, Valvoline, etc) make partial synthetic oil at a good price and I don't think you would see any difference in your engine anyway.

TIP: Place a bit of silicon dielectric grease on both end of the plugs wires before installing them.

[Male Escort]

Thanks for the information. Are there any other things I should consider looking at, or changing, on this car at 71,000 miles? Also, is this the single overhead cam engine? Thanks!

[theoldwizard]

PCV Valve, PCV hose, PCV grommet