🔧 Fusion - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service replaces the old engine oil and oil filter so your Fusion’s 1.5L turbocharged engine stays properly lubricated and protected. You’ll drain the oil from underneath, replace the filter, refill with the correct oil, then check for leaks and confirm the level.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin badly.
• ⚠️ Support the Fusion only with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held up by a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves because used oil can splash.
• ⚠️ Keep used oil off belts, hoses, and the exhaust. Wipe spills right away.
• ⚠️ 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, cap-style or strap-style
• Drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Plastic funnel
• Floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil, 5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic - Qty: 4.3 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Fusion on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes if it is cold, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🧰 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to a measured tightness so you do not over-tighten them.
• 🛢️ A drain pan catches used oil so it can be recycled safely.
• ♻️ Plan to recycle the used oil and filter at an approved oil recycling location.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum, to lift the front of the Fusion at the front center jacking point or approved front side jacking points.
• Place the jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum, under the approved front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands with the floor jack.
• Push the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before going underneath.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood.
• Remove the engine oil fill cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick slightly upward by hand. This helps oil drain more smoothly.
• Use shop towels to wipe any dirt away from the oil fill area.

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 at the bottom of the oil pan, facing downward/rearward.
• Move the pan slightly behind the plug because oil may shoot outward at first.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Once loose, remove the drain plug by hand while keeping pressure inward until the last thread releases.
• Let the oil drain into the drain pan until it slows to a drip.
• This can take 5-10 minutes.
• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug and oil pan sealing surface.

Step 5: Replace the Drain Plug Washer and Reinstall the Plug

• Remove the old oil drain plug sealing washer by hand.
• Install the new oil drain plug sealing washer by hand.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first. This helps prevent cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by starting the bolt crooked.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Start bolts by hand first.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench, cap-style or strap-style, to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• An oil filter wrench grips the filter canister so you can loosen it without crushing it.
• Spin the filter off by hand once it is loose.
• Keep the open end upward as you remove it to reduce spills.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. If it stuck to the engine, peel it off by hand.
• Use shop towels to wipe the oil filter mounting surface clean.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a gloved finger into clean engine oil, 5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic.
• Lightly coat the new oil filter’s rubber gasket with clean oil by hand. This helps it seal and come off easier next time.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten the oil filter by hand until the gasket contacts the engine, then tighten another 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using a torque-style filter tool, tighten to Torque to 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs).
• Do not over-tighten the filter.

Step 8: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the plastic funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.0 quarts of engine oil, 5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic.
• Wait 1 minute, then check the dipstick by hand.
• Add oil slowly until the level is near the upper mark on the dipstick.
• The total refill capacity with filter is approximately 4.3 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 9: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Use your eyes and a flashlight if available to check around the drain plug and oil filter.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off.
• Look underneath for oil leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• If you see a leak at the drain plug, use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to verify Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle and Final-Level Check

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum, to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the Fusion fully onto level ground with the floor jack.
• Wait 5 minutes so oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Pull the dipstick by hand, wipe it with shop towels, reinstall it fully, then pull it again to read the level.
• Add oil using the plastic funnel only if the level is below the full mark.
• Do not overfill. Too much oil can damage the engine and turbocharger.

Step 11: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine using the start button or key.
• Use the steering wheel controls to open Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Press and hold the OK button until the display shows the oil life has reset to 100%.
• If your cluster menu layout is different, use the steering wheel controls to look under Settings > Convenience > Oil Life Reset.
• Turn the ignition off.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the oil level is between the dipstick marks after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Check under the Fusion again after your first short drive for any seepage at the oil filter or drain plug.
• ✅ Recheck the dipstick the next morning on level ground.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and used filter properly.
• ✅ Record the mileage and date for your next 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 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 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.