🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Replacement

On your Fusion, an oil change means draining the old engine oil, replacing the oil filter, then refilling with the correct oil. Fresh oil protects the engine from wear and keeps it running smoothly.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench (cap or strap type)
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Trim clip tool
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• If you use ramps or a jack, raise the front and place the car securely on jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Slide the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the engine area.
• Use a trim clip tool to remove the plastic push-clips and/or screws holding the front lower splash shield.
• Set the shield and clips aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Locate the oil pan drain plug at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and let the oil drain into the drain pan.
• Remove the old drain plug washer (if present) and install the new oil drain plug gasket/washer.
• Reinstall the drain plug by hand first (to avoid cross-threading), then tighten with a 3/8" drive torque wrench: Torque to 26 Nm (19 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (it will spill when removed).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) to loosen the oil filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter (sometimes it sticks to the engine). Wipe the sealing surface with shop rags.
• Oil filter wrench = tool that grips the filter to turn it.

Step 4: Install the new oil filter

• Put a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Do not overtighten with the filter wrench.

Step 5: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and reinstall the fasteners using the trim clip tool.
• Double-check nothing is hanging down.

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car back to level ground (important for an accurate oil level check).
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Use a funnel and pour in about 5.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 to start.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, and set final level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-45 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks around the drain plug and oil filter.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then recheck.
• Top off slowly as needed to reach the “FULL” mark (usually the total ends up around about 5.7 quarts with filter change).

Step 8: Reset the oil life monitor

• Key on, engine off (press start button without pressing the clutch, or turn key to ON).
• On the steering wheel, use the menu buttons to navigate the instrument cluster menu:
• Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset
• Select reset, then press and hold OK until it completes.
• If you don’t see that exact menu, look for Oil Life under Settings and hold OK to reset.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick the next day (cold engine, level ground) and top off if needed.
• Confirm no fresh drips under the car after your first short drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store that accepts waste oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$95 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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