Oil change on a 2006 Ford Escape
Well I think last friday night I changed the oil for the first time on Jen's new car. Not that this is the most amazing impressive thing in the world, but you'd think I'd be able to find some information about this online...nope, no luck. Hell I couldn't even find a stupid Chilton's that was out yet.
Anyways, even the filter computer at Wal-Mart didn't have the 2006 models in it yet, so I had to call the local ford dealer and ask them if the 2005 model is the same. Thankfully it is, but damn...this stuff is so simple you think it'd be easier to just google. Although, now that I know, Motorcraft has a really impressive website with model numbers for Ford cars.
So what did I need to buy?
1 Motorcraft FL820S $3.28
6 quarts 5w-20 Motorcraft @ $2.07 (for some reason you can't buy them in bulk or 2 gallon jugs) That was it....had to borrow an oil filter wrench just in case (thank god I did). So everything else is kinda basic, put the car on ramps (lord, I need to get jacks....driving up ramps is just nerve racking) and then drained the oil pan by using a 15mm wrench to open the bolt:
One thing to watch out for is, this is a messy car. Oil get's everywhere, especially if you look where they put the oil filter:
Do you see that? Damn....oil get's all over that freaking pipe... That and whomever put that filter on must have been on steroids. I had to drill a damn hole in the plastic fairing so I could get a straight shot with the filter wrench to get it off. It was just literally crazy.
That's it....pretty simple. Six quarts is a lot of oil though, so make sure you have enough room to catch it all.
1 Motorcraft FL820S $3.286 quarts 5w-20 Motorcraft @ $2.07 (for some reason you can't buy them in bulk or 2 gallon jugs) That was it....had to borrow an oil filter wrench just in case (thank god I did). So everything else is kinda basic, put the car on ramps (lord, I need to get jacks....driving up ramps is just nerve racking) and then drained the oil pan by using a 15mm wrench to open the bolt:
One thing to watch out for is, this is a messy car. Oil get's everywhere, especially if you look where they put the oil filter:
Do you see that? Damn....oil get's all over that freaking pipe... That and whomever put that filter on must have been on steroids. I had to drill a damn hole in the plastic fairing so I could get a straight shot with the filter wrench to get it off. It was just literally crazy.
That's it....pretty simple. Six quarts is a lot of oil though, so make sure you have enough room to catch it all.
Comments
DATE:
Sadly, the filter for my Escape Hybrid is apparently *NOT* standard ... even the Ford dealership didn't have it in stock when I took mine in for it's 15k maintenance.
I had to wait an extra hour so they could get one in.
Posted by: david | May 18, 2006 11:50 AM
DATE:
Yeah, I read about that because it kept popping up. Apparently there are also two special gaskets you have to replace every time as well. kinda crazy if you ask me, but my insight's a royal pain as well with it's shields and crap.
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Posted by: Anonymous | May 18, 2006 11:50 AM
WOW! Last night I went to change the oil in my 06 Escape and was blown away by how poorly designed the engine was. I never did find the oil drain plug so I thank you mush for the picture shoeing me my error. And the oil dipstick almost ties itself into a pretzel upon insertion. First and last ford I will every buy.
Posted by: Pete | May 17, 2007 11:37 AM
I just read your oil change blog 1 hour ago. It may of helped m once I took the plug out and oil shot out like a rocket. LOL Did you have two special gaskets as the comment above suggested? I also assume you have the V6? I have the V4 and it only holds 4.5 qts of oil. Oil change in town 35-40$. Oil and filter cost $20.00 The pride of doing it myself plus costs and time to do is well worth it.
Posted by: Rob Kirby | July 28, 2007 08:35 AM