Engine oil change interval
Since 1996, all Fiesta engines have required an oil change every 15,000 km. If you ride long distances, you don't need to stick to this interval exactly to the kilometer. If the vehicle is driven exclusively in the city or for short distances, an oil change once every 6 months is recommended. The replacement period is spring and autumn, since fuel condensate formed in winter must be removed from the engine before the onset of the warm season.
Do-it-yourself oil change
Changing the oil on your own makes sense if you can purchase quality oil at a low price. In any case, make sure that the oil meets the required specifications. During a normal oil change (drain the oil from the oil pan, replace the filter and dispose of the oil) you have to lift the car. Compared to self-changing oil at a service station, the oil is pumped out by a special unit and thus the problem of disposal of used oil is removed. However, this method has its drawbacks as deposits remain in the oil pan.
Based on experience, changing engine oil at a service station is expensive, as only expensive grades of oils are usually available there. Some service stations additionally include the replacement of the oil filter in the oil change work.
The volume of oil required for replacement in a Fiesta car engine is given in table. 5.1.
15,000 km, 12 months
SEQUENCE OF WORK
1. Warm up the engine so that the dirt particles are in suspension.
2. Secure the car on supports or install it on a flyover.
3. Place a suitable container under the oil sump.
Pic. 5.4. Using a box wrench to loosen the engine oil drain plug located at the lowest point of the oil pan
4. Use a ring wrench to unscrew the plug and drain the oil (pic. 5.4). Be careful as the oil is hot. Use the drain plug only with a new gasket.
Pic. 5.5. Using a band wrench to unscrew the oil filter
5. Place a collecting container under the oil filter. Loosen the oil filter with a wrench (pic. 5.5). If the filter does not unscrew, use a screwdriver to pierce the filter housing and, using the screwdriver as a lever, unscrew the filter. Pour the oil from the filter into a receiving container and dispose of it as special waste.
6. Lubricate the O-ring of the new oil filter with a thin layer of fresh engine oil. Screw in the filter by hand.
7. Fill the engine with fresh oil. Start the engine briefly. The emergency oil pressure drop indicator lamp will only go out when the new oil filter is filled with oil.
8. Check the oil filter and engine oil drain for leaks. Lower the car.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Disposal of Used Engine Oil
In order to protect the environment, it is necessary to eliminate the consequences of the absorption of used oil into the soil. If an oil change is carried out at a service station, then in the future it is handed over for recycling.
Old waste oil is collected by specialized companies and transported for further processing. Therefore, it is not recommended to mix old oil with other fluids.
Engine oil leaks
If oil stains are visible under the hood of your Fiesta, then this is not a cause for concern. With extreme temperature fluctuations, the engine oil can find its way out through the pores of the engine gaskets. But, if you notice large oil smudges in the engine compartment or oil stains in the parking lot, then you need to immediately find the cause of this «oil source» and eliminate it as soon as possible. It's best to test drive after washing and check your engine for oil leaks.
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