🔧 Escape - Engine Oil and Filter Change

This is a solid beginner-level service. Drain the old oil, replace the spin-on filter, refill with SAE 5W-20, and reset the oil-life monitor.

Your Escape takes 5.0 qt (4.75 L) with the filter. Use oil meeting Ford WSS-M2C945-B1 and the API certification requirements shown on the container. fordservicecontent.com)

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on firm, level ground with the transmission in Park.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under your Escape while it rests only on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Support both front sides with properly positioned jack stands.
• ⚠️ Warm oil drains better, but hot oil and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep the ignition off while you’re underneath the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection isn’t required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 15mm socket
• 3/8-inch-drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• 7mm socket
• Torx T30 bit socket
• Cap-style or strap oil-filter wrench (specialty)
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Oil drain pan rated 8-quart minimum
• Automotive funnel
• Plastic trim-clip removal tool
• Lint-free shop towels
• Nitrile work gloves
• Safety glasses

A torque wrench is a ratchet that lets you tighten a fastener to a measured amount instead of guessing.

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 5W-20 engine oil meeting Ford WSS-M2C945-B1 - Qty: 5 quarts
• Vehicle-matched spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain-plug seal - Qty: 1 if damaged or supplied separately

Ford specifies an oil filter meeting SAE/USCAR-36 when a Motorcraft filter isn’t used. fordservicecontent.com

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level pavement, select Park, and apply the parking brake.
• Place the wheel chocks securely behind both rear tires.
• Run the engine for approximately three minutes, then shut it off.
• Open the hood and loosen the oil filler cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• Check that the new filter’s rubber sealing gasket is present and undamaged.
• Lay out the drain pan, new filter, oil, funnel, and towels before lifting the vehicle.

---

🔨 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 lifting point.
• Raise the vehicle only high enough to work safely underneath.
• Position the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum beneath the reinforced front-side support points.
• Lower the vehicle onto the stands and gently push the body to confirm stability.
• Keep the floor jack nearby as backup.

Step 2: Remove the lower access shield

• Put on the safety glasses and nitrile work gloves.
• Use the 7mm socket, Torx T30 bit socket, and plastic trim-clip removal tool to remove the lower shield fasteners present on your Escape.
• Support the shield with one hand while removing the final fastener.
• Arrange the fasteners in their installed order so they return to the correct holes.

Step 3: Drain the old oil

• Place the 8-quart drain pan beneath the oil-pan drain plug.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to loosen the plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing it lightly toward the pan. Pull it away quickly when the threads release.
• Allow the oil to drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the plug threads and sealing surface. Replace a split, hardened, or damaged seal.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Use a lint-free shop towel to clean the drain plug and oil-pan sealing surface.
• Thread the plug clockwise by hand until fully seated. If it doesn’t turn easily, stop and start again.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench to tighten the plug to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Don’t use an impact wrench. An oil pan is expensive, and enthusiasm isn’t a torque specification.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the 8-quart drain pan beneath the oil filter.
• Turn the filter counterclockwise by hand.
• If it’s stuck, loosen it with the cap-style or strap oil-filter wrench.
• Once loose, turn it slowly by hand and let the trapped oil drain into the pan.
• Remove the filter and verify its rubber gasket came off with it.
• If the old gasket remains stuck to the engine, remove it by hand and wipe the mounting surface clean.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Use a clean, gloved fingertip to coat the new filter’s rubber gasket with fresh SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
• Thread the filter clockwise by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten it approximately three-quarters of a turn after gasket contact, unless the filter’s printed instructions specify otherwise.
• Don’t tighten the new filter with the wrench. Hand-tight is correct.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower shield

• Position the shield and start every fastener by hand.
• Use the 7mm socket, Torx T30 bit socket, and plastic trim-clip removal tool to secure it.
• Tighten the small shield fasteners only until snug. They thread into light-duty retainers.

Step 8: Lower the vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly off the stands.
• Remove both jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Escape slowly until all four tires are on level ground.

Step 9: Add the new oil

• Remove the loosened oil filler cap.
• Insert the automotive funnel into the filler opening.
• Pour in approximately 4.5 qt (4.25 L) of SAE 5W-20.
• Wait two minutes, then remove and wipe the dipstick with a lint-free shop towel.
• Fully reinstall the dipstick, remove it again, and check the level.
• Add oil gradually until the level approaches the maximum mark. The final capacity is approximately 5.0 qt (4.75 L). fordservicecontent.com
• Reinstall the filler cap and fully seat the dipstick.

Step 10: Run the engine and inspect for leaks

• Start the engine and confirm the oil-pressure warning light turns off within a few seconds.
• If the warning light remains illuminated, switch the engine off immediately.
• Run the engine for approximately one minute while checking beneath it for leakage.
• Switch the engine off and inspect around the drain plug and filter using the safety glasses and a flashlight if needed.

Step 11: Perform the final level check

• Keep the vehicle level and wait 15 minutes after shutting the engine off for an accurate reading. Ford specifies this waiting period. fordservicecontent.com
• Use a lint-free shop towel to wipe the dipstick, reinstall it fully, and check again.
• Add small amounts only if needed. Keep the oil between the minimum and maximum marks.
• Don’t fill above the maximum mark.

Step 12: Reset the oil-life monitor

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel information-display buttons.
• Follow Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life.
• Press and hold OK until Reset Successful appears and the remaining life displays 100%. fordservicecontent.com

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Recheck the drain plug and filter area after the first short drive.
• ✅ Check the dipstick again the following morning while parked level.
• ✅ Record the date, mileage, oil grade, and filter used.
• ✅ Pour the old oil into a sealed container and take it to an approved recycling facility.
• ✅ Never pour used oil onto the ground, into household waste, or down a drain.
• ✅ Follow the oil-life monitor and never exceed one year or 10,000 miles between changes. Hot, dusty, heavily congested driving can require shorter intervals. fordservicecontent.com

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $75-$130 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$55 (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 0.3-0.5 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.