MK3 2012 Focus - Oil Change 101

[2012sel]

Just did my first oil change on the 2012 Focus. Thought I'd help those who haven't done it yet.

What you'll need: 15mm wrench, T30 torx, 1.25 gallons of 5W-20 Oil, Oil Filter ( FL-910S )




Raise the car. I used a floor jack at the front driver jack point (see manual), then braced with a jack stand to prevent getting killed. I think ramps would be easier.


Remove the felt panel by removing the 8 torx bolts. If you remove the bolt shown at the red arrow last (front center of car), the panel will stay up nicely. Supported by the notches shown with the yellow arrows.
Don't bother considering cutting a hole in the felt panel to get access to the oil filter. You'll need to remove the panel to get to the drain plug anyway. It comes off easy enough.




Change the oil filter and drain the oil. I didn't need an oil filter wrench because the oil filter is VERY accessible and could grab it with two hands. When replacing the filter, wet the rubber gasket on the new filter with oil, wipe away any dirt on the gasket surface of the engine and screw the new filter in until it touches the gasket surface. THEN screw by hand 3/4 of a turn more. Don't forget to put the drain plug back in (20 ft/lbs per Ford shop manual - Oil pan drain plug/Part# 6730/ Torque 27 Nm (20 lb-ft)).




Put 4 quarts of oil in, start the engine and check for leaks. Do this before lowering the car. 4 quarts will fill it enough to measure halfway between the two holes on the dipstick. If you want to avoid some of the start-up clatter, crank the engine for a few seconds with the accelerator floored. Gas is shut off when you do this but the oil pump should fill the filter. After making sure you have no leaks, replace the felt panel, lower the car and top off the oil. Mine took exactly 4.5 quarts to reach the top of the hash marks on the dipstick.



Resetting the oil life monitoring system
1. Turn the ignition key to the on position. Do not start the engine.
For vehicles with push-button start, press and hold the START/STOP
button for two seconds without pressing the brake pedal. Do not attempt
to start the engine.
2. Press both the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time.
3. Keep both pedals fully pressed.
4. After three seconds, the Service: Oil reset in prog. message will be
displayed.
5. After 25 seconds, the Service: Oil reset complete message will be
displayed.
6. Release both the accelerator and brake pedals.
7. The Service: Oil reset complete message will no longer be
displayed.
8. Rotate the key to the off position.
For vehicles with push-button start, press the START/STOP button to
turn the vehicle off completely.

As of 2/20/2012...
5qts. Motorcraft 5w-20 Synthetic Blend - 21.99
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...T|GRP2046_____
18.33 at Walmart
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Motorcraft...0-5qt/16940217

5qts. Mobil1 5W-20 Synthetic - 36.99
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...T|GRP2046_____

FL-910S oil filter - 3.97 at Walmart

[Sponsor]

[Dondi]

Thanks. From the pics it looks like the oil filter is near the front of the car. Also, that's the same filter no. I used on my Mazda Tribute.

[voipguy]

What store did you find the motorcraft 5w20 synth at ?

[2012sel]

Originally Posted by voipguy

What store did you find the motorcraft 5w20 synth at ?

O'Reilly Auto Parts
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/fi/storelocator.oap

Oil was 23.99 and filter was 5.99

Looks like it's 18.33 at wally world...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Motorcraft...0-5qt/16940217

[voipguy]

Thanks! Wally World it is!

[Hypnotoad]

Excellent tutorial. thanks.

[YoteMobile]

Great tutorial :) Now I know what tools to get out before I tackle the job.

Has anyone ever used Mobil 1 in their 2012 Focus just yet? If so, will it work fine with the engine? I'm still debating what kind of oil I should use when it's due for another change.

[mikebontoft]

quality write up... I will see if we can get this put somewhere more permanente :)

[Houten]

Sorry question here from the mechanically challenged: Drain first then swap filter?
Also when checking for leaks should i rev the engine a bit or just let it idle? And how long to test for leakage?

Also do you recommend preloading the filter since its sitting with hole up?
Is there any reason that they can void the warranty for self oil change? (besides making stupid mistake like forgetting the drain plug), I plan to buy filter from dealer.

[2012sel]

Originally Posted by Houten

Sorry question here from the mechanically challenged: Drain first then swap filter?
Also when checking for leaks should i rev the engine a bit or just let it idle? And how long to test for leakage?

Also do you recommend preloading the filter since its sitting with hole up?
Is there any reason that they can void the warranty for self oil change? (besides making stupid mistake like forgetting the drain plug), I plan to buy filter from dealer.

I always drain first, just in case a full oil pan would make a bunch of oil come out of the filter hole. Probably just a habit.

I don't think it's necessary to rev, but shouldn't hurt as long as you allow enough time for the oil to get up to pressure before you do. As for how long to check for a leak, at least 1 minute.

I think I'll preload next time and see if the initial engine noise is not so loud. This time I didn't preload and was a little uncomfortable at how much noise the engine made before the oil filled the engine. Try it both ways and do what you like.
EDIT: Next time I'm going to crank the engine for a few seconds with the accelerator floored. Gas is shut off when you do this but the oil pump should fill the filter.

Keep your receipts and record each oil change in a log. You should be fine.

Anybody else have an opinion on the questions? Please share and explain why. Thanks.