How to Change the Oil in a Ford Focus

The Ford Focus takes oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 or 10W-30. To change the oil, you'll need 4 1/2 qt. of new oil, a 13-mm wrench for the drain plug and a 3-inch oil filter wrench. Change your oil every 6 months for regular highway driving, or every 3 months for stop-and-go driving.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car jack
• Jack stands or ramps
• Oil pan
• 13-mm socket wrench
• 3-inch oil filter wrench
• Cleaning cloths
• Oil filter
• Oil

Prepare Your Focus for an Oil Change

1. Lift your Ford Focus using a jack and then place the car on jack stands. If you don't have jack stands, drive the car onto a set of wheel ramps.

2. Pop the hood and remove the dipstick and oil filler cap. These components are usually near the engine, with the dipstick having a yellow handle.

3. Gather an oil drip pan, 13-mm socket wrench, 3-inch oil filter wrench, cleaning cloths and a new oil filter. Slide under your Focus.

Change the Oil

4. Locate the oil filter and oil drain plug underneath your Ford Focus. The oil drain plug is near the engine block, with the filter right nearby.

5. Remove the oil drain plug using the 13-mm wrench. Pull the plug out quickly and let the oil drain for 10 to 15 minutes. Check the gasket and threads for damage. Replace these components, if necessary.

6. Take off the oil filter using a 3-inch oil filter wrench. Dump the old oil into the oil drip pan and put on the new oil filter. Tighten the oil filter by hand, and then replace the oil drain plug using the wrench. Clean off the excess oil.

7. Go under the hood and add oil. Turn on the engine and check the oil pressure gauge to make sure it rises. If it doesn't, turn the car off quickly and add more oil.

8. Lower your Ford Focus and turn off the engine. Take an oil reading on the dipstick. If the oil level isn't at full, add a bit more oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Put the used oil into old plastic containers and take it to an auto parts store or gas station. Most of these places have oil disposal containers for customers.