MK3 2012 Focus - Oil Change 101

[scada]

Thanks 2012SEL for posting this. Just changed the oil in my 2013 S at 650 miles. I like to change it early to get any kerf (casting flashing), casting sand, gasket, or whatever unwanted material may be in there.

[Just Tom]

Changed the oil in my car today. This is such a great thread it deserves to be a sticky.

[Sonic_HedgeHog]

Stickied

[Woggy64]

Originally Posted by Slo86GT

Good ole FL-1A. Used em for yeeeeeeears on many a 5.0L. Never had any type of oil issue til I went to an el cheapo oil change place. Never again!

Same for me - went to a place back in '92 that changed the oil in my F-150 in a "jiffy". Friend drove it to the mall to pick up a couch and called saying it was making weird noises - she drove it back to my house.

The weird noises was a rod that spun a bearing, most likely due to no oil in engine. Turns out the filter was not tighten - and with only gauges and no idiot lights for oil pressure, she never looked at the gauges.

They offered me $200 towards the repair - "Prorated" as the truck was a '78 with 150K on it. Never a problem with it until THAT oil change.

[RAF_S197]

Is there an oil life percentage on the 2012/13 Focus that should be reset?

[scada]

Originally Posted by RAF_S197

Is there an oil life percentage on the 2012/13 Focus that should be reset?

Yes; turn the key on but not engine. Close all doors so no warning box on instrument dash. Press both brake and gas pedal for a really long time. Even if you think something is wrong keep holding the pedals. Eventually it will say it is reset. Forget the exact dialogue, but do remember it taking a long time to reset.

[RAF_S197]

Originally Posted by scada

Yes; turn the key on but not engine. Close all doors so no warning box on instrument dash. Press both brake and gas pedal for a really long time. Even if you think something is wrong keep holding the pedals. Eventually it will say it is reset. Forget the exact dialogue, but do remember it taking a long time to reset.

Got it. Thanks!

[2012sel]

Originally Posted by RAF_S197

Is there an oil life percentage on the 2012/13 Focus that should be reset?

Instructions copied from the Owners Manual are at the end of the original post.

[RAF_S197]

Originally Posted by 2012sel

Instructions copied from the Owners Manual are at the end of the original post.

Thanks. Also in the post above

[MetalMuffins]

Hey guys,

I have been changing my oil on every car I have ever owned, as well as many friends cars... but apparently tonight is not my night.

I changed the oil in my focus for the first time tonight and the original instructions really helped. I got everything put back together and the car back on the ground. I put about 4 Qt into the car and ran it for a few minutes. I checked the dipstick and the oil was just at the bottom of the stick.

This is where i get confused. I added some more oil to top it up (probably half a Qt) and, after letting it sit for a minute, checked the dipstick. The oil was about half way up the length of the dipstick...

After walking around for a few minutes walking around in frustration, I jacked the car back up, took off the shield, drained about half a Qt of oil, and put it back together again. checked the oil when it was back on the ground, and it was back to what it was the first time, just at the bottom of the stick, not even into the hash marks.

I had learned my lesson the first time, and added almost no oil, and checked the stick... it was back up almost halfway on the stick (almost a foot over the max fill...

So, I ran the car for a few minutes, and am going to let it sit for some time to see if it goes down.

TL;DR
Is it VERY easy to overfill the oil in the focus, or am I missing something?
Thanks in advance guys, its been a long day.