The 2014 Ford Focus SE was part of the last US generation of this popular and economical compact car. If you have a 2014 Ford Focus, keeping it in good working order involves regular

oil and filter changes

—for which you’ll need 4.5 quarts of premium 5W-20 engine oil.

The 2014 Ford Focus SE has an engine oil capacity of 4.5 quarts.
Always use premium grade 5W-20 engine oil.
Changing your oil at home is easier than you might think, and can save you money on your
car repair
and maintenance costs.

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How to save on your Ford Focus SE insurance costs

2014 Ford Focus SE engine oil capacity

Let’s start with the basics! The 2014 Ford Focus SE has an engine oil capacity of 4.5 quarts.

Every 2014 Ford Focus SE came with a 2.0-liter, inline-four engine—but that “2.0-liter” is the

engine displacement

, or the amount of volume that those four cylinders take up. An engine’s displacement is not the same thing as its oil capacity, so take care not to get those two numbers mixed up.

What kind of oil does a 2014 Ford Focus SE need?

Moving on to oil type! Not all engine oils are the same, and using the wrong type of oil has the potential to be disastrous for an engine.

According to the owner’s manual, your 2014 Ford Focus needs a premium grade, 5W-20 oil that has the API Certification Seal on the bottle. Ford recommends that you use

Motorcraft brand oil

—but if you can’t find that, then any premium brand with the same specifications is just fine.

The “5W-20” signifies that this is a multi-grade oil, meaning that it maintains the proper viscosity (thickness) in a wide variety of ambient temperatures. The “W” stands for winter, and the “5” means that this oil has a low viscosity when it’s really cold out. The “20” means that this oil also flows properly when things are hot outside.

Keeping the motor oil moving through your engine at a variety of temperatures is essential for smooth operation and keeping wear and tear to a minimum.

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change the oil on a 2014 Ford Focus SE

Now that you know how much oil you need and what kind, you need to know how often to change your oil!

The 2014 Ford Focus SE came with Ford’s Intelligent Oil Life Monitor, which helpfully lets you know when your Focus is due for an oil change. Rather than being based solely on mileage, the monitor calculates when an oil change is due based on your car’s usage and operating conditions.

So when your car asks for an oil change, that’s when it’s due—but here are the general mileage guidelines you can expect according to a

basic car maintenance schedule

Normal use: every 7,500 to 10,000 miles

Severe use (heavy loads, frequent idling): every 5,000 to 7,500 miles

Extreme use (extreme temperatures, maximum towing or loads): every 3,000 to 5,000 miles

Keep in mind that every car is different, and there may come a day when the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor is no longer at the head of the class. To that end, here are a few signs that your oil is in need of a change:

Color change: fresh oil is light amber, while spent oil is dark brown or black

Texture change: oil that is gritty or coarse needs to be changed

Poor performance: if your Focus isn’t driving like it used to, it could be an indication that you need an oil change

New sounds and smells: any unfamiliar engine noises or odors that smell like oil, smoke, or burning could mean that you’re due for an oil change

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Power steering for a 2014 Ford Focus

How to change your Ford’s oil and oil filter

Ready to change your own oil? Let’s get down to business! You’ll need a drain pan, a funnel, a socket wrench, and a wrench that’s designed for your oil filter. You’ll also need 4.5 quarts of premium 5W-20 engine oil and a fresh oil filter. It’s also a good idea to get some shop rags and/or gloves—this is a messy business!

First, run your engine until your Focus is up to normal operating temperature. Unless it’s really cold out, this should only take about five minutes or so. Once things are warmed up, get your car safely up on a lift or jack stands, pop the hood, and focus on the task at hand:

Remove the oil fill cap.

Get underneath the car and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to drain out into the drain pan.

Remove the old oil filter, and continue to let the oil drain out until it stops.

Install the new filter according to the package instructions.

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it appropriately.

Refill the engine with fresh oil and replace the oil fill cap.

Start your car, let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off again. This allows the fresh oil to circulate and soak into the new filter. Check the oil level with your dipstick, and carefully add more oil if needed.

Once you’ve added enough oil, run your Focus for a few minutes and watch closely for any leaks. Don’t forget to

reset your oil change light

! Last but not least, make sure you dispose of your old oil properly by placing it in a sealed container and taking it to your nearest recycling center. Stick the landing and smile to the judges—you just changed your own oil!

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How long do Fords last?

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