How much engine oil should be added to a 1.8L Focus?
2 Answers
The Focus requires approximately 3.7-3.8 liters of engine oil during an oil change, not exceeding 4.5L. It's essential to check the oil dipstick during the refill process. Below are some key points about engine oil changes: 1. Select engine oil based on your engine's requirements: Avoid using excessively high-grade oil for engines with lower requirements, and never use low-grade oil for high-performance engines. 2. Prioritize multi-grade oils when possible: Multi-grade oils offer advantages such as economy, extended service life, and superior engine protection. Due to their characteristics, they may appear darker prematurely or show slightly lower oil pressure compared to conventional oils - both are normal phenomena. 3. Many domestic brand oils offer excellent quality: These products often cost significantly less than imported equivalents while delivering reliable performance. 4. For engines in good condition during colder seasons: Opt for lower viscosity oils to ensure smooth oil circulation. In high-temperature conditions or with severely worn engines, higher viscosity oils help maintain proper oil film formation and reduce engine wear.
As a veteran driver who has been driving a Focus for over a decade, here's how I always change the oil for my classic 1.8L Focus: First, pop the hood and remember to unscrew the oil filler cap. Then use a 17mm socket to remove the drain plug and let all the old oil drain out completely. While the oil is draining, take the opportunity to replace the new oil filter. Here's the key point: this older 1.8L engine requires a total of 4.3 liters of oil, but the standard oil containers we usually buy come in 4-liter quantities. My method is to first pour in the entire 4-liter container, start the engine and let it run for two minutes to circulate the oil, then wait five minutes before checking the dipstick. If the level is in the lower-middle range, slowly add the remaining 0.3 liters from the small bottle until it reaches about two-thirds on the dipstick - that's the perfect level. Never overfill it, as excessive oil pressure can damage the oil seals.
