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How many quarts of oil does your Focus take?

93K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  G1-Focus 
#1 ·
Why do I ask?

Well, today I visited my Friendly Ford dealer and, among others, I was told that the Focus takes almost 6 quarts of oil.

Now let's see. I have a late 2001 and it holds, with a filter, 4.25 quarts.

So, has Ford changed the size of the oil-pan for 2002 and newer models?
 
#5 ·
I'll check again, but pretty sure the manual says 4.5 quarts. That puts it right smack in the middle when checking oil level too.

You have to ensure you completely drain all oil from the car though... easier said than done on a Focus. I have to jack mine up on one side. Then jack it up on the other side, only to followup with leaving it sitting flat for a while. Otherwise I notice it won't take as much oil. Bah!
 
#6 ·
BTW, Noresull, Tell me if I'm wrong w/ regards to the 2.0 Zetec, but on my 1.9l HO Escort engine, OVERfilling would result in the crank "Whipping" the oil into a Foam, causing inferior lubrication.
When the oil is "Foam" the engine feels like it has nearly NO oil.
The oil is Useless, and failures can occur quickly.
On the HO1.9, I broke two of the aluminum "Piston-skirts", resulting in a cracked block, due to overfilling thanks to an inaccurate/sketchy dipstick. It never gave the same reading twice, so I guessed, and screwed up, adding oil when it was fine. (EDIT: I had a gasket-Leak. It wasn't on a Change, I was adding oil to compensate for the leak.)
I was Young and stupid. Don't do the Same Thing to your Focus.


[ 11-10-2002, 02:24 AM: Message edited by: MichaelXi ]
 
#7 ·
Last oil change yealded 4.8Liters of Castrol Syn 0w40 Race. This was measured via the dipstick.
 
#8 ·
According to the 2003 Focus Owner's Guide oil capacity (including filter change) the 2.0 L Zetec-E:4.25L (4.5 quarts) and 2.0 L SPI:3.78 L (4.0 quarts)."Almost 6 quarts of oil" is your dealer trying to make up for undercharging oil to another customer? Personally I would confront the Service Manager and if he gives you the same response call a different Ford Dealer and ask them how much oil they use for an oil change. Most dealers use bulk oil dispensers so maybe the calibration is off on their equipment.If that is the case I am sure they will want to get that corrected to avoid charging customers for more oil then required.-Jim
 
#9 ·
One thing I noticed is that the filter will absorb some oil, so you'll fill it to full on the dipstick, run it a while, and end up being shy of full later. Fill it the full 4.5 quarts at the change and it ends up on full after you run it.

Because I can't pre-fill the filter, I let it idle for a few minutes after I first refill the crankcase - I don't rev it. I don't want it revving high when the most potential for wear exists.
 
#10 ·
Nobody tried to sell me an oil change and I do not let anyone except myself to change the oil (actually I went there to buy a pair of SVT mirrors) and at the same time my eyeballs almost popped out of my head when I heard this.

With a new filter my Zetec, to the top line, takes 4.25 US quarts and no, you can't pre-fill the filter because of the angle it sits on the block - I don't like this, but we have no choice.

[ 11-13-2002, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: G1-Focus ]
 
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