🔧 Escape - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil and replaces the oil filter, which keeps your engine lubricated and helps prevent wear. Doing it on schedule is especially important on your Escape’s turbo engine.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface; set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes; oil and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the Escape with jack stands before going underneath (never rely on a floor jack).
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; hot oil can splash.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for an oil change.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 7-quart)
• Funnel
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–100 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or strap type)
• 7mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Shop rags

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Start the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Raise the front of the Escape with a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps the crankcase vent while draining).

---

🔨 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.
• Remove the fasteners using a 7mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• If there are plastic push-clips, pop them out using a trim clip removal tool (a small pry tool that lifts plastic clips without breaking them).

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish unthreading the plug by hand and pull it away quickly so the oil drains into the drain pan.
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).

Step 3: Reinstall the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan sealing surface with shop rags.
• Install a new oil drain plug washer/gasket if your plug uses one.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (to avoid cross-threading).
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Hand-threading prevents expensive oil pan damage.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) 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).

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a small film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Wipe any oil residue with shop rags.
• Tip: Hand-tight is correct—over-tight can leak later.

Step 6: Add new engine oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in SAE 5W-20 oil (start with about 4.5 quarts).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Check underneath with safety glasses on for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil in small amounts using the funnel until it reaches the full mark.

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield and lower the Escape

• Reinstall the splash shield using the 7mm socket, 3/8" drive ratchet, and any clips with the trim clip removal tool.
• Raise slightly with the floor jack, remove jack stands, then lower the vehicle.

Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor

• Key on (engine off).
• Using the steering wheel buttons, go to Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Press and hold OK to reset to 100%.

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• Look under the Escape the next day for any drips near the drain plug and filter.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an auto parts store or recycling center (never dump it).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.