The 2013 Ford Escape offers top-notch reliability and fuel economy, making it one of the most popular vehicles in Ford’s catalog. If you want to keep your compact SUV operating at optimal performance, you’ll need to understand its engine oil capacity.

Although you may not have broken the bank to acquire your Escape, the expenses that come with owning a car certainly don’t stop once you leave the lot. If you’re looking to cut back and eliminate a recurring maintenance bill, we’ve got you covered.

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broker here to provide you with all there is to know about changing the oil on your 2013 Ford Escape 2.0. We’ll go over its engine oil capacity, the best oil types, and even how to find lower

Ford Escape car insurance costs

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2013 Ford Escape 2.0 engine oil capacity

Before you crawl under your truck, let’s review exactly how much oil your Escape needs.

The 2013 Ford Escape’s 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine has an oil capacity of 5.7 quarts. The 2.0-liter part denotes the engine’s displacement and cannot be confused with the engine’s oil capacity.

Displacement is the volume of fuel and air swept into each of the engine’s cylinders during one cycle, while the oil capacity is the amount of oil needed to lubricate the engine parts and keep them operating smoothly.

Understanding this distinction will prevent you from under-filling up your engine.

What kind of oil does a 2013 Ford Escape need?

Now that we’ve covered your Escape’s oil capacity (5.7 quarts), let’s discuss the oil type most compatible with the engine.

As you scan the shelves and come face to face with all the different oils for purchase, keep your eyes peeled for Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. This is Ford’s authentic oil, making it the top choice to help extend the life of your Escape’s engine.

Let’s break down this oil further so you have a better understanding of what you’re putting into your truck. The “5W” denotes that the oil is thin enough in cold conditions (“winter”), while the “20” indicates a relatively low viscosity (thickness) when the engine is at its normal operating temperatures.

In the simplest terms, the best oil is one that remains thin enough to flow well during cold-weather start-ups and thick enough to cool the engine down while it is running.

If you’d like to weigh out some options, here are a few to check out:

The genuine article: If you want to stick with authentic Ford materials,

Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

is for you.

The runner up: Offering excellent protection that exceeds industry standards,

Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil

is a quality alternative.

For extra protection:

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil

is the best bet for those that push their Escape to the limit.

MORE:

Can you add oil to a hot engine?

How often to change oil on a 2013 Ford Escape 2.0

Ford recommends changing the oil on a 2013 Escape every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Regularly checking your oil’s level and keeping track of past oil changes will ensure you’re never going too long without refilling your engine with fresh oil.

If you keep your car’s mileage to a minimum, you still need to change the oil every six months because oil decays over time which can cause engine failure.

You should also be aware of these telltale signs that your Escape needs an oil change:

The oil has turned a dark brown or black color

The oil texture is coarse or gritty

You smell a burning odor or smoke under the hood

You hear

unfamiliar sounds

coming from the engine

There are noticeable changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

Does insurance cover engine failures?

How to change your oil and oil filter

And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for—let’s change that oil! Before you start, ensure you have all the necessary materials: a socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench, replacement filter, and rag. Last but not least, don’t forget your bottle of 5W-20 engine oil.

Begin by starting your engine to warm up the oil, so it flows easier. After a couple of minutes, kill the engine, pop the hood, and follow these instructions:

Go under the engine and set your drain pan underneath the oil drain plug.

Use your socket wrench to remove the oil drain plug, allowing the oil to drain out.

Locate the

oil filter

and unscrew it with your filter wrench, allowing any excess oil to drain out.

Wipe the filter mount, and install your replacement filter with your filter wrench.

Replace the oil drain plug.

Refill the top of the engine with the required amount of oil.

After the new oil settles, check its level on your dipstick and then confirm that the oil pressure dashboard light is off. As a final measure of assurance, start the engine and take a look for any leaks.

Lastly, the cleanup. Dumping the contaminated oil onto the ground or your trash is never a good idea. Instead, pour it into an unwanted, sealable container, and bring it to your local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Performing your own oil changes on time can keep your vehicle on the road for many years to come. But, unfortunately, a lot can happen in that time, which is why you’ll want to find the best protection with

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