🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Replacement

This repair drains the old engine oil from your Escape and replaces the oil filter. Fresh oil is especially important on the 2.0L turbo engine because the turbocharger depends on clean oil for cooling and bearing protection.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface only. This helps the oil drain correctly and keeps the Escape stable.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ If you raise the front, support it with jack stands. Jack stands are metal supports that safely hold the vehicle up after lifting.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under the Escape while it is supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes from used oil.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 15mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench, band or cap style
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil, SAE 5W-30 full synthetic meeting Ford WSS-M2C946-A/B1 or newer specification - Qty: 5.7 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket or seal - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Escape on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Start the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster than cold oil.
• 🛢️ Keep the drain pan nearby before loosening the drain plug.
• 📋 The oil life monitor will be reset from the instrument cluster after the oil change.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Support the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of the Escape at an approved front lift point.
• Place jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum under the front support points.
• Lower the Escape gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a small shake to make sure it is stable.
• Safety first. Never rush lifting.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Splash Shield

• The splash shield is the plastic panel under the engine.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver and trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic clips if equipped.
• Remove any small shield fasteners with the appropriate socket if equipped.
• Set the splash shield and fasteners aside safely.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood.
• Remove the engine oil fill cap by hand from the top of the engine.
• This allows air in while the old oil drains out.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum directly under the oil drain plug.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand. Keep light inward pressure on the plug until the last thread to reduce splashing.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip.
• Use shop towels to wipe the drain plug clean.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install a new engine oil drain plug gasket or seal if your drain plug uses one.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means the plug starts crooked and damages the threads.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the plug.
• Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Do not overtighten the drain plug.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum under the oil filter area.
• Use an oil filter wrench, band or cap style to loosen the oil filter. An oil filter wrench grips the filter so you can turn it when it is too tight by hand.
• Spin the oil filter off by hand once it is loose.
• Keep the open end upward as much as possible to reduce spills.
• Check the engine filter mount and make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter.
• One gasket only. Two will leak.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Put a small amount of fresh SAE 5W-30 engine oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten the filter until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Then turn it another 3/4 turn by hand.
• Do not use the filter wrench to overtighten it.
• Hand-tight is correct here.

Step 8: Add New Engine Oil

• Place a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.2 quarts of SAE 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil drains back into the oil pan.

Step 9: Check the Oil Level

• Pull out the dipstick. The dipstick is the metal stick used to measure oil level.
• Wipe it clean with shop towels.
• Push the dipstick fully back in, then pull it out again.
• Read the oil level. Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total fill with filter is approximately 5.7 quarts.
• Do not fill above the full mark.

Step 10: Check for Leaks

• Put on safety glasses.
• Start the engine and let it idle.
• Look under the Escape at the drain plug and oil filter.
• If oil drips, shut the engine off and correct the leak before driving.

Step 11: Reinstall the Lower Engine Splash Shield

• Position the splash shield back under the engine.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver and trim clip removal tool to reinstall plastic clips if equipped.
• Make sure the panel is secure and not hanging down.

Step 12: Lower the Escape

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum to lift the Escape slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the Escape slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 13: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel buttons to open Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Press and hold OK until the display confirms the oil life reset.
• If your display uses the alternate layout, open Settings > Information > Oil Life, then press and hold OK.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the oil pressure warning light turns off within a few seconds after startup.
• ✅ Take a short 5-10 minute drive.
• ✅ Park on level ground, wait 5 minutes, and recheck the oil level with the dipstick.
• ✅ Look under the Escape one more time for leaks.
• ✅ Verify the oil life monitor reads 100%.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and old filter properly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 hours.

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