How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a Ford Focus

The Ford Focus has been a best-selling compact car since its introduction in 2000. The manufacturer recommends 5W20 viscosity engine oil, unlike the majority of passenger cars which use 5W30. These steps apply to all model years of the Ford Focus.

Instructions

1

Top off your brake fluid reservoir as necessary with a high performance DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid. Ford recommends Super DOT 4 for manual transmissions. This is another departure from the typical passenger vehicle, most of which use only DOT 3 brake fluid.

2

Change your Ford Focus motor oil regularly, using Motorcraft 5W20 Super Premium Motor Oil.

3

Mix one part distilled water with one part of either Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant, which is green in color, or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant, which is yellow.

4

Refill your power steering fluid reservoir as necessary with MERCON automatic transmission fluid. A generic power steering fluid should also be sufficient if MERCON isn't available.

5

Maintain your automatic transmission fluid levels with MERCON V automatic transmission fluid. For the IB5 manual transaxle, use Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid; for the MTX 75 manual transaxle, use MERCON automatic transmission fluid.