An all-around solid vehicle, the 2017 Ford Escape is a great option for those looking for a jack of all trades. If you want to keep this versatile engine running for years, you need to know its oil capacity.

If you’ve ever looked at your monthly expenses and thought, wow, that’s a ton of money, then you know that being a car owner isn’t cheap.

Looking to cut your costs down? Changing your Ford’s oil at home is a great way to save on car maintenance, but make sure you check with your owner’s manual first.

Jerry

, the licensed broker app that helps you save money on

car insurance

, is here to lend a helping hand. We’ll go over your Ford’s engine oil capacity, the ideal type of motor oil to use, how often you should be changing your oil, signs of dirty oil, the steps of an oil change, and how you can save on your 2017

Ford Escape insurance costs

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2017 Ford Escape 2.0 engine oil capacity

Before you can

change the oil and filter

in your Escape, you need to find out how much oil your 2017 Ford Escape 2.0 is going to need.

The 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L has an oil capacity of 5.7 quarts.

You might be thinking—what does the 2.0L number mean, then? That number tells you your Ford’s engine displacement, or how much volume its cylinders take up. Oil capacity is different and refers to the amount of oil your engine needs to operate.

What kind of oil does a 2017 Ford Escape 2.0 need?

Next, you need to figure out what kind of oil you should be buying for your Ford Escape. Picking up a random bottle at your local hardware store won’t cut it—you’ll need motor oil optimized for your engine if you want your Ford to last as long as possible.

Ford recommends drivers use 5W-30 motor oil.

Understanding what 5W-30 motor oil does is crucial to ensuring the best for your car. The numbers indicate how thin or thick the oil is, and the W stands for winter. The 5 tells us that the oil has a lower viscosity (thickness) at 0°F, and 30 indicates that the oil remains thin at the normal operating temperature of 212°F.

Essentially, 5W-30 motor oil is easy on your Ford’s engine and works well in lower temperatures.

The owner's manual specifically recommends using Motorcraft® SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil as it is a Ford-owned brand. If you are unable to find Motorcraft oil, any other brand will do—whether its synthetic or conventional oil—as long as it meets the same quality standards.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2017 Ford Escape 2.0

The last step before changing your Ford’s oil is to figure out if your vehicle even needs an oil change.

Ford recommends an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles as part of your Escape's

basic car maintenance schedule

. But since this range is so vast and can depend on your driving habits, it might be a better practice to check on your engine after every other refuel.

Here are some signs that your Ford needs an oil change:

Your motor oil is looking and feeling dirtier. Clean oil is light in color, and if your oil is dark and gritty, that’s a sign you need to replace it

You notice noises coming from the engine

Strange smells, like oil, smoke, or burning

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

The most common Ford problems

How to change your oil and oil filter

Finally, you’re ready to change your 2017 Ford Escape’s oil! Make sure you have the following tools ready: a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a replacement filter, 5W-30 engine oil, a container for the old oil, and towels for cleaning up.

The first step is to get the engine ready for an oil change by running it for a couple minutes. This shouldn't take longer than five minutes in normal temperatures and the actual

oil change shouldn't take long

, either. Once it’s ready, turn the engine off, open your Ford’s hood, and follow these instructions:

Take off the oil fill cap

Find the oil drain bolt and washer, which should be under the engine, and remove them. Have your drain pan ready to catch the old oil

Replace the old oil filter with the new one, and let the engine finish draining oil

Screw the oil drain bolt and washer back on and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap

Your dipstick can be a helpful indicator of when you’ve added enough oil to the engine. After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Turn the engine on once you’re finished, and keep an eye out for leaks. Your

oil pressure light

should turn off if you’ve successfully changed your Ford’s oil.

Last but not least, make sure you clean up the mess. If you’ve spilled any oil on the ground, collect it and store it in a container to recycle it at your local recycling center. Never dump out old oil on the ground or in the trash.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

And that’s it! Now you’re all set to save money on oil changes in the future.

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