🔧 Focus - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil and oil filter keeps your engine lubricated and helps prevent wear. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct oil and verify the level.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn you—let the engine cool 10-20 minutes if it’s fully hot.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is 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
• Shop rags
• Ratchet
• Socket extension (3-inch)
• 15mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (cup or strap type)
• 7mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, meets Ford WSS-M2C945-A) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Start the engine for 1-2 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps the crankcase vent while draining).
• Raise the front of the car using a floor jack and support it 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 under the engine area.
• Use a 7mm socket and ratchet to remove the splash shield screws.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out any plastic push-clips (a push-clip is a plastic fastener that “snaps” into a hole).
• Set the shield and fasteners aside where they won’t get lost.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 15mm socket, ratchet, and socket extension (3-inch) to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish unthreading by hand and quickly pull the plug away so oil drains into the drain pan.
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Replace the drain plug washer with the new one.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 15mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags so you can spot leaks later.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Locate the oil filter on the engine and position the drain pan under it.
• Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter (a gasket is the rubber sealing ring). Double-gasket causes big leaks.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Apply a thin film of fresh oil to the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. Use the oil filter wrench only if you can’t get it snug by hand (do not overtighten).

Step 6: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack so it sits level.
• Place a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.3 quarts first, then wait 1 minute for it to settle.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 7: Start, inspect for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-45 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look underneath with safety glasses for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed to reach the full mark (add small amounts, like 0.2 quart at a time, using the funnel).

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and install push-clips by hand.
• Use a 7mm socket and ratchet to reinstall the screws snug (do not strip them).

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the oil level after your first short drive (5-10 minutes) on level ground.
• Reset the oil life monitor (if your A4-style screen/menu differs, use either method below):
• Method A (message center menu): Use steering wheel buttons to go to Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset, then press and hold OK.
• Method B (oil life screen): Scroll to the oil life screen, then press and hold OK until it resets to 100%.
• 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-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$100 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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