2012 Ford Focus Engine Oil Capacity
A 2012 Ford Focus can hold up to 4.5 quarts of engine oil—read this for all the info, tips, and tricks on maintaining your Ford’s engine oil.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A
2012 Ford Focus
can hold up to 4.5 quarts of engine oil. Need tips and tricks on changing your oil and keeping your car healthy? We’ve got you covered.Changing your engine oil is a regular part of your car's necessary maintenance—but did you know it's also easy to do at home? Cut maintenance costs by performing simple oil changes on your Ford in your garage—and here to help you is
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. In this article, we’ll also help you learn how to save time and money on changing your engine oil—read on for everything you need to know about your 2012 Ford Focus.
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2012 Ford Focus engine oil capacity
Just how big is your 2012 Ford Focus’s engine oil capacity? Its 2-liter, four-cylinder engine can hold up to 4.5 quarts of engine oil (that’s 4.3 liters for metric-system users).
You can check just how high (or low) the engine oil levels are in your Ford by inspecting your dipstick. The dipstick is a removable rod in your car's engine that helps you measure the volume of liquid in your oil tank. If you find your oil level is at or below the crosshatches on your dipstick, it's time to add more.
What kind of oil does a 2012 Ford Focus need?
So you've popped the hood, checked the oil levels, and confirmed it's time to add more engine oil. What's next? Believe it or not, not all engine oils are the same—and not all engine oils are recommended for every engine.
Your car's owner's manual will include the manufacturer-recommended oil for your vehicle. In a 2012 Ford Focus, that's
Motorcraft® SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
. Knowing your car manufacturer's recommendations is essential—and we recommend using manufacturer-approved products as much as possible.
No matter the brand you choose, make sure you’re using exclusively synthetic oil in your Ford Focus for the best possible performance and engine protection. Also, please note that using oil that the manufacturer doesn't recommend can void your manufacturer warranty if it is still in effect.
How often to change the oil on a 2012 Ford Focus
We’ve covered how much oil your engine needs and what type to give it: now it’s finally time to change your oil!
With
Fords
(as with most vehicles), it's recommended that you change your engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. A helpful timeframe to keep in mind is once every six months, although some experts will recommend three months, and others will recommend twelve. Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
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Synthetic oils (like the ones recommended for a Ford Focus) are made to last even longer—somewhere between 7,500 and 10,000 miles—so the safest way to stay on top of your car’s engine health is simply to check your oil levels often. Doing so can also help ensure your oil is clean and your engine is properly lubricated.
If you forget to check up on your engine oil periodically, your car will remind you with its oil warning light on your dashboard. You may also be able to tell it's time for an oil change if you start noticing problems like these:
- Loud or unfamiliar noises coming from the engine
- Unusual scents in your car, such as exhaust, smoke, or burning smells
- Changes in your car’s performance
- Dark engine oil, instead of the standard light brown or amber color
- Gritty oil
MORE:
Ford lug pattern guide
How to change your oil and oil filter
Now comes the fun part! Gather your materials, including your 5W-20 synthetic motor oil, an oil drain pan and funnel, a new oil filter, a 15mm wrench, and some elbow grease, and let’s get started!
The best time to change your oil is within five minutes of driving your car—while the engine is still warm. If you don't have anywhere to be, you can simply run your car in the driveway until the engine warms up to its normal operating temperature.
From there:
- Shut your engine off and pop the hood
- Locate and remove your car’s oil fill cap
- Slide on under your car to locate your oil drainage bolt.
- Place your drain pan underneath the drainage bolt and use your 15mm wrench to loosen and remove the drainage bolt
- Allow the old oil to drain out (this step may take a few minutes)
- Remove your old oil filter once all the oil has drained
- Install your new oil filter using your wrench (spreading a thin layer of oil around the edges of your new filter will improve the seal)
- Reattach the drainage bolt
- Use a funnel to add new oil (about four quarts) to your oil tank
- Check your engine oil level—and make sure it’s not above the MAX mark on your engine oil level dipstick.
- Securely reattach the engine oil cap by turning it clockwise until it's tight and snug
Congratulations! You’ve successfully changed the engine oil in your 2012 Ford Focus. Once you’ve wrapped up, run your car for a couple of minutes and watch for any oil leaks. Make sure you're properly disposing of your old, dirty engine oil (don't just dump it out on your lawn) by finding the appropriate recycling center.
After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.
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