Escape is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. By doing routine DIY oil changes and learning your 2018 Ford Escape's engine oil capacity, you may be able to add yourself to the 150,000-mile-plus club!

If you haven't changed your own oil before, look at your owner's manual for the correct oil type before you start.

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2018 Ford Escape engine oil capacity

The engine oil capacity is important because it will let you know how much oil to buy for your oil change and how much oil your 2018 Escape can hold. In this case, you need 5.7 quarts or 5.4 liters.

Your Escape has a 2.5-liter V4 engine. All these numbers can be confusing, so remember that the 2.5L number is the engine displacement. The displacement is the volume that the cylinders take up. So you only need to be concerned with the engine oil capacity for the oil change.

What kind of oil does a 2018 Ford Escape need?

Next up is the engine oil type. Every car requires something different, so this isn't the time to get the cheapest oil on the shelf—quality matters! Per the manufacturer, your 2018 Ford Escape should use

Motorcraft® SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

The oil viscosity, or thickness, impacts how your 2018 Escape performs and how much stress the engine is under to make your car go. The “W” in the oil grade means winter, so 5W is the viscosity your vehicle needs in cold weather and at start-up. The “20” is the oil grade for when the engine reaches normal operating temperature, 212℉ and above.

Picking the right oil type will make your car last longer and go further!

Ford also requires that the engine oil be full synthetic or a synthetic blend. Some drivers choose to change oil types depending on how they use the vehicle or the weather they live in. However, veering away from the manufactures recommendation can void your warranty.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2018 Ford Escape

The recommendation from Ford is to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but this won't apply to every driver. If you're using a high-quality full synthetic oil or don't drive very often, you can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Using a synthetic blend or having a long weekly commute will be closer to the 3,000-mile mark.

How do you know for sure if you need to change your oil? Start by checking your oil level regularly, like when you stop for gas. Here are some signs that your oil is due for a change:

Dark brown or black oil (clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea)

Dirty oil feels coarse or gritty

Strange noises coming from the engine

New smells, especially anything that smells like oil, smoke, or burning

Vehicle performance changes

MORE:

Ford lug pattern guide

How to change your oil and oil filter

You checked your oil and learned that it needs changing—now what? We will let you know! First, grab hold of these items:

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench

Replacement filter

New washer

5W-20 full synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil

You’ll want warm oil for an oil change, so let your engine run for about five minutes. Once your Escape is at normal operating temperature, park it on level ground, turn off the engine, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Take off the oil fill cap

Crawl underneath the car and place the drain pan under the engine

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer, letting the oil drain into the pan

Remove the old oil filter

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap

That was the hard part, believe it not! Now, use your dipstick to check the oil level and take your car for a quick spin. This ensures your

oil pressure light

has time to turn off and gives you a chance to check under your Escape for leaks.

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.

At this point, you are probably noticing the greasy mess you have on your hands. Don't dump the dirty oil on the ground or down the sewer drains. Pour it into the empty oil containers and bring it to a local recycling center or to a local auto parts store that does oil recycling.

Don't forget regular insurance policy maintenance

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