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Ford Escape 2.5L I4 Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the motor oil and replace the oil filter on the Duratec 25 2.5L I4 engine in a 2008 to 2012 Ford Escape.

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2011 Escape 2.5L I4 Engine
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SAE 5W-20 Oil Cap
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Twist Off Oil Filler Cap
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012) Ford Escape SUV equipped with the Duratec 25 2.5 liter inline four cylinder engine in changing the motor oil and replacing the oil filter.

Owners of other Ford or Mercury vehicles with the Duratec 25 engine such as the Fusion, Milan, and Transit Connect may also find these DIY oil change instructions to be helpful.

The items needed to complete this procedure include a floor jack (optional), jack stands (optional), a used oil catch container, a 15mm socket with ratcheting wrench, 5 quarts of new SAE 5W-20 oil, a new oil filter, and an automotive funnel.

A few replacement oil filters include the following with their part numbers: Mobil1 M1-102, Purolator PL10241, Fram PH3614, K&N HP-1002, Bosch 3330 or 72161, Motorcraft FL-910S, ACDelco PF53, Pennzoil PZ-21, Royal Purple 10-2835, Wix 51348, Driveworks # DW-241 and Pennzoil HPZ-21.



 
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Pull Up Yellow Dipstick
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Raise Vehicle With Jack
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Oil Pan & Oil Filter
The first steps are to warm up the engine for a few minutes, shut it off, and then park the vehicle on a level surface.

Warming up the engine helps suspend any contaminants within the old oil and allows it to drain out more quickly.

Engage the emergency parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Open the hood to access the engine bay.

Twist off the oil filler cap in the counter clockwise direction and lift the yellow handled oil dipstick a few inches.

Removing the filler cap and raising the dipstick will prevent a vacuum from forming and allow the old oil to flow out more quickly.

You may be able to slide under the vehicle to access the oil drain bolt and oil filter without raising the vehicle.

I chose to raise the front passenger side of the SUV with a floor jack and securely support it with two jack stands to allow myself more room to work.

You may also choose to use automotive ramps instead.

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Oil Drain Bolt
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15mm Socket & Wrench
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Remove Oil Drain Bolt
Gather the used oil catch container, 15mm socket, ratcheting wrench, and new oil filter before sliding under the front passenger area of the engine bay.

Locate the silver oil drain bolt at the rear of the silver metal oil pan facing towards the back of the vehicle.

The old oil filter is located at the opposite side of the oil pan closer to the front of the vehicle.

Slide the used oil catch basin to just below the oil drain bolt.

You may want to spread some newspapers underneath it to keep your garage floor clean.

Remove the oil drain bolt by turning it counter clockwise.

Be careful since the old oil may be hot enough to burn your skin depending on how long you warmed up the engine in the first step.



 

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Used Oil Catch Container
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Tighten Oil Drain Bolt
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Twist Off Old Oil Filter
Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes or until it slows down to an occasional drip.

Thread in the oil drain bolt by hand a few turns to prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten it with the 15mm socket and ratcheting wrench to just past hand tight or about 20-25 ft lbs of torque.

Do not over tighten the drain bolt to avoid damaging the aluminum oil pan or stripping the bolt threads.

Move the used oil catch basin to just below the oil filter. Twist off the old oil filter in the counter clockwise direction and allow the old oil to drain out for a minute or two.

If the old filter is on too tight, you may need to use an oil filter wrench such as the Lisle 63600.

(In a pinch, you can drive a screwdriver through the filter and use the extra leverage to loosen it.)

Make sure that the rubber o-ring from the old filter is not still attached to the oil filter receptacle's threads.

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Move Oil Basin Forward
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Dip Pinky Finger In Oil
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Lubricate Rubber O-Ring
I recommend buying the Mobil1 M1-102 oil filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

Dip your pinky finger in to some new 5W-20 oil and lubricate the rubber o-ring on the new oil filter.

Lubricating the new oil filter's rubber o-ring will allow it to form a better seal and make it easier to remove at the next oil change.

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Spin On New Oil Filter
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Lower Vehicle
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Insert Automotive Funnel
Spin on the new oil filter in the clockwise direction and tighten it about 1/4 to 1/2 turn past hand tight.

Do not over tighten or use an oil filter wrench to tighten the new filter. Over tightening the filter may damage the filter or the rubber o-ring and cause a leak to develop.

If you had the vehicle up on ramps or jack stands, lower the vehicle back down to rest on the level surface.

Insert an automotive funnel in to the oil filler hole at the left (passenger) side of the engine.

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Pour In New 5W-20 Oil
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Replace Oil Fill Cap
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Check Dipstick Oil Level
Pour about 4.5 quarts of the engine's 5 quart (4.7L) total capacity for an oil change with new filter in to the funnel.

Replace the oil filler cap and the dipstick. Run the engine for a few minutes, shut if off, and allow it to rest for a few minutes while the oil drains back down to the pan.

Pull out the yellow handled dipstick and check the engine oil level. If necessary, slowly pour in some of the remaining half quart of oil and repeatedly check the dipstick until the level reaches just at or below the upper hole.

You may not need to use the entire 5 quarts of new SAE 5W-20 oil depending on how long you allowed the old oil to drain out.

Be sure to check the oil level on the dipstick at several times over the next week and watch your driveway for oil spots that may indicate a leak from the oil drain bolt or oil filter housing. Record the mileage and oil change details in your service record book.

To reset the oil life system, with the ignition key in the "On" position, press the "Setup" button several times until the display shows "Oil Life". Press and hold the "Reset" button until the oil life changes to 100%.

For more, please check out my other Ford Escape Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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