How to Check and Add Engine Oil

Motor oil is your engine’s lifeblood. It lubricates the internal parts, so the engine can run smoothly and efficiently.

Because your engine needs a certain amount of oil to run right, you should check your vehicle’s oil level every time you fill up the fuel tank.

Follow these steps to check and add motor oil. For additional information about motor oil, check your Owner’s Manual.

Before you Start

There are a few things you should do before starting:

• Get a metal or plastic oil-fill funnel, an oil rag and one or two litres of the vehicle's correct grade of oil. You can find the grade in your owner's manual.
• Park the vehicle on level ground—if the vehicle isn’t level, the oil level can be incorrect when you check it.
• Turn your engine off, and wait 10 minutes so all of the engine’s oil drains into the oil pan.
• Roll up or remove loose clothing, and keep your arms away from the cooling fan(s) when checking the oil—fans can turn on automatically, even when the engine is off.

Checking and Adding Engine Oil

• Open the bonnet and find the oil dipstick. It’s near the engine and usually has a bright yellow colored handle.
• Pull the dipstick out, wipe the metal section clean with a rag, then fully insert it and remove it.
• Your oil level is the highest point on the dipstick that is coated with oil.
• If the oil level is between “MIN” and “MAX,” you don’t need to add oil, and can replace the dipstick and close the bonnet.
• However, if the oil level is near / or below “MIN,” you’ll need to add oil now.
• Find the oil fill location, it may have an oil can icon on it. You will find the location of the oil filler cap in your owner's manual. Remove the fill cap and place the small end of the funnel into the fill hole.
• Add oil by pouring in roughly a quarter of the container at a time, waiting a minute for the oil to drain to the pan, then repeating steps 2 and 3 each time. Stop adding oil when the dipstick shows oil at or just below the “MAX” mark. It's important to add oil in small amounts, and never add oil past the dipstick’s “MAX” level. Too much oil in your engine can be just as bad as too little.
• Remove the funnel and replace the dipstick and oil fill cap. Make sure both are fully secured in place then close the bonnet.

Quick Tip

Your motor oil may need to be changed before your next service, every Ford ICE vehicle has an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor that helps you keep track of when an oil change is needed. Stop/start driving, fully laden, towing and arduous conditions require earlier oil changes. This is explained further in the Service Portfolio.

Regular Oil Change Schedule

Refer to your Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Schedule for specific information on when to schedule your next oil change.  Your local dealership can provide trained technicians and the right parts to ensure the correct services are done on your vehicle.