Owning a car is a big responsibility. If you don’t put the effort in to look after it things will start to go wrong very quickly, and some of the problems that are caused may not be repairable – not without paying a small fortune for new parts, at least. One of the most important tasks of all regarding vehicle maintenance is choosing the correct oil and ensuring the car or van in question constantly has an adequate supply. So, how do you know which oil is right for your Ford, and once you’ve picked out the correct type, how do you top up your vehicle’s supply? Let us explain.
If you’ve forgotten a few oil top-ups and your Ford (or any other make) is now suffering the consequences, then Scrap Car Comparison can find you the best offers from local scrap and salvage buyers in just 30 seconds. Thanks to our nationwide network of scrap and salvage specialists, we’re able to track down the highest price for your old, unwanted or even broken car. Better still, this nationwide network of buyers means we can even offer the free collection of your vehicle as standard! Give us a call on 0333 344 9950 or use our scrap car price calculator to get a quote for your Ford now!
Do Fords Need Specific Engine Oil?
The type of oil required for each engine differs from vehicle to vehicle, so yes, your Ford will need a specific type of oil to operate properly. Discovering which type of oil this is might have once been a difficult task, but nowadays it’s been simplified massively through certain retailers providing a matching service.
Don’t assume, however, that every Ford uses one, universal kind of oil. There are a number of different oils that you can use, depending on the model and your driving style. For example, Ford’s most popular model, the Fiesta, can take fully synthetic 5W20, 5W30 or 0W40 oil.
Do Ford Transits Use The Same Oil As Other Ford Vehicles?
One of Ford’s biggest sellers worldwide is the Ford Transit, a workhorse of a vehicle and probably one of the only vans that an Average Joe could identify by name when they see it on the road. But does this widespread use mean that Ford have built the Transit to drink the same type of engine oil as their other vehicles?
Yes, Ford Transits can take the same oil as Ford cars, but like with their smaller counterparts, it’s important to check that you’re matching up your exact engine type to the correct specific type of oil, as the recommendation is always to use the accurate type. For example, you don’t want to use 0W30 oil if you really should be using 5W30, for the sake of performance and the longevity of your van.
How Do You Know Which Oil To Use For Your Ford?
As we mentioned above, car parts and accessory retailers should have their own system that can match your vehicle to the oil it needs using its registration. The registration, in this case, is simply used to obtain the details of the vehicle, like its engine size, transmission type and fuel.
If you’d prefer to go directly to the source of the information rather than trust an external third-party, then consult your owner’s manual which will explain which oil you should add to your Ford. This could be especially useful if you own a classic model, as modern computer systems might not contain information about cars over a certain age.
What Happens If You Put The Wrong Oil In A Ford?
Using the wrong oil in any vehicle can lead to serious consequences, and Fords are no exception. However, these problems may not always arise immediately after you add the fluid to your car.
The wrong oil could cause damage to your car’s engine, meaning it will be more likely to overheat or not lubricate properly which will then lead to metal rubbing and wearing unusually and at an excessive rate.
The oil itself could also become a problem, clogging your car’s system up with a sludgy, thick mess that will bring the whole process to a halt.
Can I Replace My Engine Oil Myself?
Yes, and it’s quite simple to do so, even without the need for any special tools or even in-depth mechanical knowledge. Let’s explain how to do so…
How To Replace Your Car’s Oil
Most drivers will go through their lives without changing the oil in their car, but will instead simply top-up the level, ensuring it never runs empty.
But, if your oil has become contaminated or has been sitting in the car for too long and you want to freshen things up, it’s possible to totally empty your car of oil and fill it with brand new lubricant. This only adds a handful of extra steps onto the simple top-up method, so we’ve covered it in this post. It’s possible that you might need to jack your car up off the ground, especially if it’s quite a low-riding vehicle, so bear that in mind before opting to tackle this task yourself.
- Jack It Up – As above, it’s not always going to be necessary to do so, but you need to be able to easily access the underside of the car.
- Access Oil Pan – If your car has the oil pan hidden away behind a protective screen, remove this.
- Unplug & Drain – Remove the plug in your car’s oil reservoir once you’ve positioned a receptacle underneath the opening to catch the draining oil. Watch out for a filter that may need removing, too.
- Plug It – Put the filter and plug back into place and replace the protective screen.
With the old oil drained, you can return to the front end of the car.
- Pop The Bonnet – If you need to know where the lever is on your car, consult the owner’s manual. They’re usually around the passenger footwell, under the glovebox or even hidden near the door.
- Locate & Remove Oil Cap – Your oil cap should look like a large, usually black, plastic lid that can be twisted. It will have an icon of an oil can on it.
- Fill It Up – Now that you’ve opened the cap, pour in the oil using a funnel, ensuring that you don’t underfill or overfill.
- Check The Level – Use the dipstick to check the oil level.
Once the level is suitable, the cap is tightly replaced and the car has been lowered, you’re good to go again!
How Often Do I Need To Top Up My Ford Oil?
It’s a good idea to regularly check your oil levels, with once a month being suitable for those who are eager to keep their car in tip-top condition. Generally speaking though, once or twice a year should do the trick.
Of course, this is dependent on how much you use the car. 20,000 miles is a good marker to remind yourself to check the oil.
If a lack of oil is the least of your car’s worries and it feels like it might struggle to get to the end of your driveway without going up in flames, don’t risk it dying on you during a road trip or important commute. Sell it now with Scrap Car Comparison and we’ll find you the best price possible for it, offered by local scrap and salvage specialists who are experts at recycling and reusing cars and their parts. So, give our sales team a call on 0333 344 9950 or use our scrap car price calculator to find out what your old Ford (or any other make) is worth today!
