🔧 Fusion - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Fusion with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 2.5L engine from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a jack alone. Use jack stands before going under your Fusion.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can burn skin if hot. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts, exhaust parts, and the ground.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.

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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, 74mm 14-flute cap style
• 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-20 full synthetic or synthetic blend - Qty: 5.7 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Fusion on level ground.
• 🅿️ Shift to Park and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🔥 Run the engine for 2-3 minutes if it is cold. Warm oil drains faster.
• ⏱️ Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes before opening the drain plug.
• 📌 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct force so they are not too loose or too tight.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum, to lift the front of your Fusion at the front center jacking point.
• Place the jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum, under the front side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Use your hands to lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Never work under only a jack.

Step 2: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood using the interior hood release.
• Use your hand to remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Use your hand to pull the dipstick up slightly.
• This lets air enter the engine so oil drains smoothly.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Slide the drain pan, 8-quart minimum, under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is the bolt at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Position the pan slightly behind the plug because oil may shoot outward at first.

Step 4: Drain the Engine Oil

• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the drain plug by hand while keeping pressure inward until the last thread.
• Pull the plug away quickly and let the oil drain into the pan.
• Wait until the oil slows to an occasional drip.
• Keep your hand out of the oil stream.

Step 5: Replace the Drain Plug Gasket

• Use shop towels to wipe the drain plug clean.
• Remove the old drain plug gasket by hand.
• Install the new engine oil drain plug gasket by hand.
• Wipe the oil pan sealing surface with shop towels.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the plug.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Start by hand to avoid cross-threading.

Step 7: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan, 8-quart minimum, under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench, 74mm 14-flute cap style, with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• An oil filter wrench grips the filter so you can loosen it without crushing it.
• Finish unscrewing the oil filter by hand.
• Keep the open end upward as much as possible to reduce spills.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use your finger to spread a thin coat of fresh SAE 5W-20 engine oil on the new oil filter rubber gasket.
• Make sure the old filter gasket did not stick to the engine.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Then tighten the filter another 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using the oil filter wrench, 74mm 14-flute cap style, tighten gently only if your hand cannot grip it.
• Do not overtighten the oil filter.

Step 9: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.3 quarts of SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Push the dipstick fully back into place by hand.

Step 10: Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds.
• Turn the engine off.
• Use safety glasses and shop towels to inspect around the drain plug and oil filter.
• If you see dripping, stop and recheck the drain plug and filter tightness.

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum, to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Fusion slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks from the rear wheels.

Step 12: Set the Final Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes so oil drains back into the oil pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Insert the dipstick fully, then pull it out again.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level is at the full mark.
• Total capacity with filter is approximately 5.7 quarts.
• Reinstall the dipstick and oil fill cap by hand.

Step 13: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel controls to open Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Press and hold OK until the display shows the oil life has reset to 100%.
• If your cluster menu is different, use Settings > Convenience > Oil Life Reset.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Fusion for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground.
• ✅ Wait 5 minutes and recheck the dipstick level.
• ✅ Look under the engine for any fresh oil drips.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$75 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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