How to Change Engine Oil & Replace the Oil Filter on a 2018 Ford Fusion
Step-by-step DIY guide with required tools, parts (0W-20), torque specs, oil capacity, and oil life reset for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
How to Change Engine Oil & Replace the Oil Filter on a 2018 Ford Fusion
Step-by-step DIY guide with required tools, parts (0W-20), torque specs, oil capacity, and oil life reset for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
🔧 Fusion - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change
You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct 0W-20 oil. This keeps your Fusion’s engine lubricated and helps prevent wear and sludge buildup.
Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes to avoid burns.
- ⚠️ Hybrid precaution: make sure the car is fully OFF (no “Ready to Drive” light) so the engine can’t auto-start.
- ⚠️ Chock the rear wheels and support the car on jack stands before going underneath.
- ⚠️ Keep the key/fob away from the car while you work to prevent accidental wake-up/remote start.
- ⚠️ Clean up spills immediately—oil is slippery and flammable.
🔧 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 (7-quart minimum)
- 15mm socket
- 3/8" drive ratchet
- 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
- Oil filter wrench (cap or strap type)
- Funnel
- Trim clip remover
- 7mm socket
- Shop rags
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic, Ford spec) - Qty: 6 quarts
- Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
- Drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1
📋 Before You Begin
- 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
- 🧱 Chock the rear wheels.
- 🔑 Turn the car fully OFF and keep the key/fob at least 15 feet away.
- 📏 Jack up the front and place the car securely on jack stands at the front lift points.
- 🧠 Find the oil life reset in the cluster menu now so it’s easy later: Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset (wording may vary slightly).
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)
- Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) to safely support the front of the car.
- Use a 7mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the small screws.
- Use a trim clip remover to pop out any plastic push-clips (a trim clip remover is a forked tool that lifts clips without breaking them).
- Set the shield and fasteners aside in the order you removed them.
Step 2: Drain the old engine oil
- Place the drain pan (7-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
- Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
- Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
- Wipe the drain plug clean with shop rags and replace the drain plug gasket/washer if your plug uses one.
Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug
- Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
- Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) with a 15mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
- Do not overtighten the oil pan.
Step 4: Remove the old oil filter
- Slide the drain pan (7-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
- Use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) to loosen the oil filter, then spin it off by hand.
- Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the filter (it can stick to the engine).
- Wipe the sealing surface clean with shop rags.
Step 5: Install the new oil filter
- Put on nitrile gloves.
- Apply a thin film of fresh oil to the new filter’s rubber gasket using a finger.
- Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten 3/4 turn more by hand.
- If you prefer using a torque wrench and your filter wrench supports it, tighten to: Torque to 19 Nm (14 ft-lbs).
Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)
- Reposition the shield.
- Use the trim clip remover to align clips, then push them fully in by hand.
- Use a 7mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to reinstall the screws snugly.
Step 7: Refill with new oil
- Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
- Insert a funnel and add 5.5 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic, Ford spec to start (it’s safer to sneak up on the full mark).
- Reinstall the oil fill cap.
Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and verify oil level
- Start the car and let it run 30-60 seconds.
- Turn it OFF and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
- Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
- Use the dipstick to check the level, then add oil in small amounts (about 0.25 quart at a time) until it’s at the full mark (do not overfill).
Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor
- Turn ignition ON (engine can be OFF).
- Use steering wheel controls to navigate: Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
- Select Reset and confirm until it shows 100%.
✅ After Repair
- 🧾 Recheck the dipstick the next morning (cold engine) and top off if needed.
- 🔍 Look under the car after your first short drive for any fresh drips.
- ♻️ Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it (and the filter) to an oil recycling drop-off.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $40-$80 (parts only)
You Save: $80-$140 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 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.


















