🔧 Focus - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your engine lubricated, reduces wear, and helps prevent sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes to avoid burns from hot oil.
• ⚠️ Support your Focus with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; used oil can irritate skin.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (7-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 7mm socket
• Flat trim clip tool
• Oil filter wrench (adjustable band style)
• Torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-20 full synthetic, Ford spec equivalent) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Gather everything first—once the oil is draining, you’ll want parts ready.
• Warm oil drains faster than cold oil.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Warm the oil slightly

• Start the engine and let it idle 2-3 minutes, then shut it off.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap by hand (this helps oil drain faster).

Step 2: Safely raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the proper jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper support points and lower the car onto them.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 3: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Position your drain pan under the engine oil pan area.
• Use a 7mm socket and ratchet to remove the splash shield screws.
• Use a flat trim clip tool to pop out any plastic clips (a trim clip tool is a small pry tool made to remove plastic fasteners without breaking them).
• Set all hardware aside so it doesn’t get lost.

Step 4: Drain the old engine oil

• Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain into the pan for at least 5-10 minutes.
• Clean the drain plug with shop rags and install a new drain plug washer if your plug uses one.
• Reinstall the drain plug and tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (adjustable band style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (a stuck gasket can cause a leak).
• Wipe the filter mounting surface with shop rags.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (this helps it seal).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
• Do not use the filter wrench to tighten unless absolutely necessary.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield.
• Reinstall clips by hand, then tighten screws using a 7mm socket and ratchet.

Step 8: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Add about 5.5 quarts first, then pause.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 9: Start, inspect for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, then re-check.
• Add oil as needed to reach the full mark (usually you’ll end up near ~5.7 quarts total with filter).
• Add oil in small amounts near full.

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✅ After Repair

• Re-check for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• Verify the oil level again on level ground after the drive.
• Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it (and the old filter) to an oil recycling drop-off or auto parts store.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$170 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $60-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.6-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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