🔧 Focus - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This job replaces the old engine oil and oil filter so your Focus keeps proper lubrication, cooling, and engine protection. You’ll drain the oil from underneath, replace the filter, reinstall the drain plug, then refill with the correct oil.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool or slightly warm engine only. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Park on level ground and support the Focus with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves. Used oil is messy and can irritate skin.
• ⚠️ Do not over-tighten the oil drain plug or oil filter. This can damage the oil pan or cause leaks.
• ⚠️ 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 74mm 14-flute
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• 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 synthetic blend or full synthetic - Qty: 4.5 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park the Focus on level ground, shift into neutral, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🌡️ Let the engine sit 10-15 minutes if it was just running. Warm oil drains better, but it should not be hot.
• 🔎 The oil filter is a spin-on filter. That means the metal filter can unscrews as one piece.
• 🧰 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to a measured force so they are not too loose or too tight.
• ♻️ Have a sealed container ready for used oil. Take used oil and the old filter to a recycling center or parts store that accepts used oil.

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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 at the front center jacking point to lift the front of the Focus.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Lower the car gently onto the jack stands.
• Use your hands to lightly shake the car at the fender. It should feel stable before you go underneath.
• Never work under a jack-only vehicle.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield if Equipped

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic retainers from the lower engine splash shield.
• Set the shield and clips aside where they will not get stepped on.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Place the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is at the bottom of the oil pan. The oil pan is the metal pan at the bottom of the engine that holds the engine oil.
• Move the pan slightly toward the direction the oil will flow when the plug is removed.

Step 4: Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• Set the cap on a clean area where it cannot fall into the engine bay.
• This helps the oil drain more smoothly.

Step 5: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing inward slightly. Pull it away quickly when the threads release.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to occasional drips.
• Inspect the drain plug and replace the oil drain plug gasket.
• Keep your hand above the oil stream.

Step 6: Reinstall the Oil Drain Plug

• Wipe the drain plug area clean with shop towels.
• Thread the drain plug in 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 drain plug.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

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 with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• Unscrew the filter by hand once loose. Keep it upright as much as possible to reduce spilling.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter. If it sticks to the engine, remove it by hand.
• A double gasket causes major leaks.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a gloved finger into clean new oil and lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new engine oil filter.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten the filter by hand an additional 3/4 turn after gasket contact.
• If using the oil filter wrench 74mm 14-flute, use it only gently. Do not crush the filter.
• Torque to 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs) if tightening with a torque wrench and filter cup.

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Splash Shield

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver or trim clip removal tool to reinstall the lower engine splash shield retainers.
• Make sure the shield sits flat and does not hang loose.

Step 10: Lower the Focus

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the Focus slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the Focus slowly to the ground.

Step 11: Add New Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.2 quarts of engine oil SAE 5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds while watching for the oil pressure light to go out.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes.

Step 12: Check and Top Off the Oil Level

• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it out again to read the level.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level is at or near the full mark.
• Total refill with filter is typically about 4.5 quarts. Do not overfill.

Step 13: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Sit in the driver seat with the doors closed.
• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the accelerator pedal and brake pedal at the same time.
• Keep both pedals held until the display shows the oil reset message, usually about 20-25 seconds.
• Release both pedals and turn the ignition off.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and let it idle for 1 minute. Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• ✅ Shut the engine off, wait 5 minutes, then recheck the dipstick level.
• ✅ Make sure the oil fill cap and dipstick are fully seated.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly at an oil recycling location.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level after your first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $75-$140 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $40-$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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