There’s no getting around the annual or bi-annual oil change—every car needs it. But knowing which type of oil to use, how much you need, and when to change it can get confusing—not to mention professional oil changes can get expensive. In this article, we take a closer look at the information you need to change your 2011 Ford Fusion 2.5 engine oil and how you can save money by doing it right in your own driveway.

MORE:

How to save on Ford car insurance costs

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

2011 Ford Fusion 2.5 engine oil capacity

Exactly how much engine oil does a 2001 Ford Fusion 2.5 need? The answer is 5.3 quarts, or 5.0 liters.

But be careful—don’t confuse the engine’s displacement with its engine oil capacity. The 2.5 liters of space that your Fusion’s four-cylinder takes up underneath the hood isn’t the same thing as the capacity of its engine oil tank, and those numbers aren’t interchangeable!

What kind of oil does a 2011 Ford Fusion 2.5 need?

Before you run out and buy the first five-quart bottle of oil you see, let’s talk about oil type. Believe it or not, not all engine oils are made the same—and the type you use can make a big difference in your engine’s performance!

For your 2011 Fusion’s 2.5-liter engine, Ford recommends using

Motorcraft® SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

, and it’s typically a good idea to stick with what the manufacturer suggests.

The numbers and letters that make up the oil grade are important, although it’s not necessary to know exactly what they mean. The numbers in the oil grade simply refer to an oil’s viscosity (i.e. how thick or thin it is), while the “W” stands for winter. The number 5 that comes right before the “W” indicates this particular motor oil has a low viscosity at 0°F, while the 20 that follows means it also remains thin at hotter, engine operating temperatures.

Basically, all that information tells us this type of oil performs well in cold weather conditions, and its low viscosity also results in less wear and tear on your engine. The letters “SAE” that precede the oil grade simply stand for “Society of Automotive Engineers,” the association that codes oil grades.

Motorcraft is what your manual recommends—-but several quality aftermarket engine oils out there will work just as well. Alternative recommendations for the 2011 Ford Fusion 2.5 include

Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 premium synthetic blend

and

AMSOIL OE Synthetic Motor Oil

MORE:

Ford lug pattern guide

How often to change oil on a 2011 Ford Fusion 2.5

We’ve covered how much oil to use and the type you should use—but how often should you change the engine oil?

The general rule is that you should change your car’s engine oil every 5,000 miles or so, although the exact change interval can vary based on your driving habits. Synthetic motor oil tends to last longer than its non-synthetic counterparts and therefore requires changing less often—every 7,000 to 10,000 miles.

Your Fusion has an oil change indicator light that should illuminate on your dashboard when you’re due for an oil change, but it’s helpful to know the signs of engine oil going bad ahead of time:

Dark brown or black oil. (Clean oil is light brown/amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil is dark, like a cup of soda.)

Motor oil that looks or feels coarse or gritty.

Unusual noises coming from the engine.

Unusual odors, especially oil, smoke, or burning smells

Changes to your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

How long do Fords last?

Are you overpaying for your car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Compare Rates Now

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

4.717k Ratings

5M+Drivers Joined

7M+Cars Garaged

How to change your oil and oil filter

When it’s time to change your oil, you can bring your vehicle to just about any service center or auto shop to have them do the job. The average cost of a Ford

oil change

is between $90 and $100, although where you live could affect the price you pay.

The good news is, you can save money and time by performing a simple oil change right at home! Changing your engine oil is a beginner-level maintenance skill that’s great for every car owner to have. You’ll need a few tools, including a socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench, and a new oil filter.

Don’t forget your 5.3 quarts of 5W-20! Once you’ve gathered your materials, you should start things off by running your engine for five to ten minutes or so—until it reaches its normal running temperature. Then shut the engine back off, pop the hood, and follow these next steps:

Twist off and remove the oil fill cap

Underneath the engine, use your socket wrench to remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Let the old engine oil drain into your drain pan

While the old oil is draining, you can remove the old filter (using your filter wrench) and install the new one

Once the oil has finished draining, replace the oil drain bolt (don’t forget to use a new washer!)

Refill the engine with your fresh bottle of oil

Replace the fill cap

And you’re done! All that’s left to do is let your car warm back up for no more than a minute, watch for leaks underneath the vehicle, and double-check the oil levels using your dipstick. If you’ve done everything right, your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should turn off.

Last but not least: clean-up. You should never dump dirty engine oil on the ground or throw it in the garbage can. Instead, pour it into a sealed container and take it to your

local recycling center

for proper disposal.

“I had a great experience using
Jerry
for the first time. Once my boyfriend buys his new car, we’ll use Jerry together to make sure he doesn’t end up overpaying on new insurance!” —Stephanie S.

Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™

Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.

Try GarageGuard™