Here’s the oil change write up i’d promised with pics. This is the way i change oil on all our cars. Your way may differ slightly.
I will not be held responsible for any loss of blood, life or virginity that may arise from you following these steps :P
If you’re uncomfortable doing an oil change, get a mechanic to do it for you.
Parts needed:
- Oil (I used Penrite HPR 5 5W-40)
- Oil filter (I used Ryco Z418)
- Oil filter wrench
- Oil drain pan
- 13mm spanner and socket/wrench
- Funnel
- Standard Focus jack
- Hydraulic trolley jack (optional)
- Jack stands
- Wheel chocks or bricks
- Rags
- Permanent marker (optional)
- Garage creeper (optional)
STEP 1
Make sure engine is warm, as warm oil drains quicker than cold oil
If engine is cold take it for a 10 min drive
After the 10 min drive turn off engine and let the car sit for 30 mins
This will ensure the engine is cool enough to work on and the oil drains back into the sump
STEP 2
Park car on a flat level surface
Chock the rear wheels
Jack the car up on jack stands
Make sure car is securely positioned on the jack stands
You don’t want the car falling on you when you’re under it!
This pic shows the sump drain plug (yellow arrow) and the oil filter (red arrow)
The drain plug faces the rear of the car while the filter faces the front of the car
STEP 3
Remove the engine cover (pull straight up)
Remove the oil filler cap
Get under the car on a garage creeper (optional)
Otherwise just get under the car on your back
STEP 4
Position oil drain pan under the oil sump
Oil will be hot and rush out quickly so be ready for this!
Undo oil sump drain plug anti-clockwise with a 13mm spanner and/or socket
Let oil drain out of sump (I let it drain for 15 mins)
STEP 5
Position oil drain pan under the oil filter
Remove oil filter anti-clockwise
As you loosen the filter, oil will pour out from the top of the filter
There will still be oil in the filter so be careful not to tip it sideways when you have spun it off completely and are removing it from the engine block
Let oil drain out of oil filter opening into the drain pan for a few mins
Make sure the rubber seal from the old filter is not attached to the engine block (remove if it still is)
Here's what you've just drained out of your engine, dirty old oil (just under 10,000km old in the case of this car)
STEP 6
Clean area around drain plug hole in the oil sump
Screw drain plug back into the sump and finger tighten
Do up drain plug with spanner or socket but not too tight so that it’s easy to remove next time
STEP 7
Mark the date of the oil change and the odometer reading on new oil filter with a permanent marker (optional)
Mark the direction of oil filter removal (anti-clockwise) with an arrow on new filter with a permanent marker (optional)
Pour some of the new oil into the new filter
Run a smear of oil around the rubber seal of the new filter with your finger
Screw the new filter onto the engine block clockwise
Make sure it’s only hand tight so it’s easy to remove next time
STEP 8
Take funnel and fill the engine with new oil (about 4L)
Lower car off the jack stands back onto the ground
Now that the car is on level ground check the sump oil level and top off until it reaches the full mark on the dip stick
I always put a couple of hundred milliliters extra as all engines consume some oil over time
Replace the oil filler cap
Run the engine for a minute, making sure the oil pressure light in the dash goes off as per normal
Turn off the engine after a minute and check the areas around the sump drain plug and oil filter for leaks
If leaks are present clean off and rectify as needed
STEP 9
Replace the engine cover
Clean up and put all your tools away
Put old oil into new oil container (later on dispose off in an appropriate manner without harming the environment)
STEP 10
Take car for a test drive
When back from test drive check again for leaks
After letting car sit for a while, check oil level once again for peace of mind, and top up if required
Congratulations you have just changed the oil and filter on your Focus
