The 2012 Ford Escape 2.5 combines many attractive qualities into one solid SUV. And the car's array of high-tech features, combined with its pleasant driving experience, make the Escape a great choice for road trips or daily driving. But to keep your 2012 Ford Escape in prime form, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity—5.3 quarts.

It's not cheap to be a car owner in the modern world. Between

car insurance

premiums, the ever-lofty price of fuel, and even

routine vehicle maintenance

, it might seem like automotive expenses never end. You can reduce those costs by performing your own Ford Escape oil changes—but don't forget to check your

owner's manual

for the oil capacity first.

If you don't have access to your manual or simply want some extra info about how to change your oil, you have come to the right place. This article will focus on your 2012 Ford Escape engine oil capacity, and we'll cover everything you need to know to get the job done properly.

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2012 Ford Escape 2.5 engine oil capacity

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in your 2012 Ford Escape holds 5.3 quarts or 5.0 liters of motor oil.

Before moving forward, we need to take a second to note the difference between oil capacity and engine displacement. Your Escape's

engine displacement

represents the 2.5-liter volume of space occupied by the motor's cylinders. Oil capacity, on the other hand, defines how much oil the engine is capable of storing for use as a lubricant.

Engine oil capacity and displacement are completely different concepts, and you should not use these phrases interchangeably.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Ford Escape 2.5 take?

Now that you know how much oil your 2012 Escape holds, it's time to discuss its oil type. Yep, there's a lot of variation in automotive motor oils, and you'll need to fill your 2012 Ford with the proper kind.

When you're shopping for new oil, look for SAE 5W-20. That's the oil that Ford recommends putting in your 2012 Escape, and you can't go wrong when you stick with the manufacturer's recommendation.

So, what does that code mean? It's actually fairly simple—let's take a look.

The "SAE" refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers. That's the group of automotive industry experts responsible for creating these engine oil codes. And the numbers describe the oil's thickness or viscosity at different temperatures.

The code's first number—" 5"—explains how thick the oil is when your car's engine is cold. That one is relatively easy to remember because it's next to the "W," which means winter. The final number—" 20"—tells us how viscous the oil is once your motor is heated up and running.

The smaller the numbers in the code, the thinner the oil is—and we use these thin oils in automotive engines because they move through the motor with efficiency.

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How frequently should you replace the oil on a 2012 Ford Escape 2.5?

Ford says you should change the oil in your 2012 Escape 2.5 every 7,500 miles or at least once every six months. But there's more to maintaining your car's oil than just replacing it every few months—you'll also need to monitor its level and condition in between changes.

When you open the hood to inspect your oil, look out for these indicators that it's time for a replacement:

The oil is dark brown or black (clean oil looks like dark, amber-colored honey and is semitransparent)

Chunky, muddy, or sludgy oil

The oil is gritty or grainy

Your Escape's engine is emitting nasty odors, like oil, smoke, or burning

Your Ford's engine performance suddenly decreases

Your Escape's motor is making strange or new noises, like knocking

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How to change your 2012 Ford Escape 2.5 oil and oil filter

After learning your Escape's oil type and capacity, you're ready to get started changing it. You'll need these supplies and tools:

A 15-millimeter socket and a ratchet wrench

Clean 5W-20 replacement oil

Something to lift your Escape off the ground, like a jack and jack stands or ramps

A torque wrench

A funnel

An oil filter wrench

A new oil filter

A towel or rag to clean the mess

A drain pan

After you've gathered your tools, start your Ford and allow it to idle for roughly five minutes. This step isn't mandatory, but it will warm up the engine enough to cause the oil to drain much more rapidly. When the car is warm, shut it down, open the hood, and start working on the steps below.

Take off the oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick (this step gets rid of the vacuum, which allows the oil to drain more rapidly).

Go beneath your Ford and remove its oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to contain the old oil that spills out.

While the oil is draining, uninstall the used oil filter.

Lubricate the new filter by spreading a thin layer of oil to its gasket before screwing it into its housing. Don't over-tighten the filter—turn it only until it feels secure, and then stop.

Replace the oil drain bolt, and use a torque wrench to tighten it to 19 lb-ft.

Fill your 2012 Ford Escape with fresh 5W-20 motor oil.

After you complete these steps, start your Escape and run it for 30 seconds. Then,

check the oil level using your dipstick

to ensure it's within the appropriate range.

Finally, you'll need to recycle the old oil. You can do this by pouring it into the new oil container and taking it back to the auto parts store or transporting it to your local recycling center.

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