The 2013 Ford Escape has an engine oil capacity of about 4.3 quarts, or 4.1 liters. If you take care of oil changes yourself at home, this is a measurement you’ll want to have on hand.

The 2013 Ford Escape can certainly make a reliable daily driver—especially if it’s already lasted you this long—but its long-term reliability will depend on how well you keep up with

routine maintenance

, like oil changes.

If you manage your own oil changes to save on ownership costs, here’s what you should know about your 2013 Escape’s oil capacity and required oil type—plus some more oil change tips.

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2013 Ford Escape 1.6L engine oil capacity

Even within a singular model year, certain vehicles can come with different engine options—and as such, those engines can have varying engine oil capacities. Your owner’s manual should outline the oil capacities for each engine option.

If your 2013 Ford Escape has a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, it has an engine oil capacity of about 4.3 quarts, or 4.1 liters.

Be careful not to mistake the “1.6 liters” here for your engine oil capacity—this actually refers to your engine’s displacement. These two figures aren’t related—and relying on this number would leave you seriously short on oil.

And although the amount of oil filling your engine doesn’t need to be exact, it does need to be close. Over or underfilling your engine can cause significant damage. When in doubt, check your oil level using your dipstick!

What kind of oil does a 2013 Ford Escape need?

Engine oil capacity isn’t the only spec you’ll need to know—it’s just as important, if not more so, to be aware of your 2013 Escape’s required oil type. Your engine type will determine the necessary specifications here, too.

Ford recommends using full synthetic 5W-20 engine oil in your 2013 Escape’s 1.6-liter engine.

If you’re wondering what this means, it’s referring to your engine oil’s viscosity grade, which tells you its thickness at different ends of the temperature spectrum. The lower the number, the thinner the oil is.

Here, the “5” next to the “W” (which is short for “winter”) tells you your oil’s viscosity at colder temperatures before you’ve started your engine. The “20” refers to its viscosity once your engine has reached normal operating temperatures—generally around 212°F or so.

Vehicles that take conventional oil can use synthetic oil, but the reverse isn’t true—so keep your attention fixed on full synthetic oil options when you’re at the auto shop.

Ford recommends Motorcraft engine oil as a first choice, but what’s most important is that the oil has the right viscosity grade and an API certification seal on the container to confirm that the necessary quality specifications have been met.

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How often to change the oil on a 2013 Ford Escape

Your 2013 Ford Escape owner’s general maintenance schedule states you can generally expect to

change your oil

approximately every 7,500 miles to 10,000 miles.

But under more extreme usage conditions—such as if you’re frequently towing heavy loads, driving in dusty environments, or exposed to extreme temperatures—you may need to change your Escape’s engine oil as often as every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

It’s a good idea to check your engine oil monthly to make sure it’s in good condition and at the right level.

If it’s time for your next oil change, here are some signs you might notice:

Engine oil has become

dark brown or black and gritty

You hear strange engine sounds

Declining fuel economy

Rough-running engine

Burning or oil odors coming from the engine

Your

check engine light

, oil change reminder, or other related indicator lights have turned on

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Is your Ford Escape ready for an oil change? Here are some supplies you might want to have on hand:

Socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

New washer for the drain bolt

New oil filter

New engine oil

Drain pan

Funnel

Gloves and protective eyewear

Once you have everything you need, you can get started by running your engine for a few minutes—just long enough for it to reach normal operating temperatures. This will heat up your engine oil, allowing it to drain more quickly.

Then, after shutting the engine off, here are the general steps that follow during an oil change:

Unscrew the oil filler cap

Underneath the engine, unscrew the drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to empty into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and install the new one, following its package instructions

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer to the specified tightening torque

Back at the hood of your Escape, add new engine oil to the proper level

Replace the oil filler cap

From here, most of the hard work should be done—now it’s just time for a quality assurance check.

Run your engine for a few minutes again to make sure all is in working order, and check around for any oil leaks. Make sure that no troublesome indicator lights are on your dashboard, either.

After your engine is shut off and cooled down again, use your dipstick to check the oil level one last time, adding more if necessary.

Lastly, remember to properly recycle your used oil in a sealed container at a designated location! It’s a hazardous substance, so you can’t just throw it out with the rest of your trash or dump it down your drain. Some auto shops and car dealerships will also accept used motor oil.

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