The 2014-2018 Ford Focus is the facelifted Mk3 model and comes with 1.0 litre Ecoboost as well as 1.6-litre petrol engines. Diesel options initially included a new 1.5-litre diesel engine and 1.6 diesel unit, which was carried over from the pre-facelifted car. As well as the 1.5 diesel, the facelift gave the Focus a cleaner look at the front and rear.
Every iteration of the Focus, since 1998, has been one of the best driving hatchbacks you can buy, and this version is no exception. The suspension is on the firm side, which means the car handles twisty B-roads with ease, and yet also somehow manages to absorb the worst road surfaces, ensuring a comfortable ride for occupants.
All of the engines are highly rated, but the star of the show is the turbocharged 1.0-litre Ecoboost unit, which is available with different power ratings. Bear in mind though, that there have been reports of Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost problems though, so check frequently to make sure coolant and hoses are in good order.
Check out these Focus Mk3 (2011 - 2014) problems
Wondering when to change the oil or what type to use in a 2014-2018 Ford Focus? Perhaps you're trying to find out how often to change the fluids, what the service intervals are or check the brakes and perform other common jobs? Haynes has all the routine maintenance answers.
Modern cars like the Ford Focus need much less maintenance than the vehicles of 25 years ago, but they still have needs. You no longer have to do a service every 6 months or change the oil every 3 months, but regular fluid changes are still essential to your Ford Focus’s longevity.
What follows is our quick reference guide to many of the recommended routine maintenance tasks for the 2014-2018 Ford Focus, most of which you can do yourself at home. If you need more guidance or step-by-step instructions, check out the video tutorials in our online manual, or get our traditional printed manual.
Ford Focus Mk3 engine oil change
ENGINE OIL TYPE
1.0 litre petrol engines Multigrade engine oil, viscosity SAE 5W/20 to Ford specification WSS-M2C948-B
1.6 petrol engines Multigrade engine oil, viscosity SAE 5W/20 to Ford specification WSS-M2C948-B or alternatively 5W/30 to Ford specification WSS-M2C913-D
1.5 diesel engines Multigrade engine oil, viscosity 0W/30 engine oil to Ford specification WSS-M2C950-A or alternatively 5W/30 engine oil to Ford specification WSS-M2C913-C/D
1.6 diesel engines Multigrade engine oil, viscosity 5W/30 engine oil to Ford specification WSS-M2C913-C/D
HOW MUCH ENGINE OIL?
1.0 litre petrol engines 4.6 litres
1.6 petrol engines 4.6 litres
Diesel engines 3.9 litres
OIL DRAIN PLUG TORQUE
1.0 litre petrol engines 25 Nm
1.6 petrol engines 28 Nm
Diesel engines 34 Nm
OIL FILTER HOUSING CAP TORQUE
Diesel engines only 24 Nm
Ford Focus Mk3 gearbox oil change
Gearbox oil specification
SAE 75WFE gear oil to Ford specification WSD-M2C200-D2
How much gearbox oil?
2.3 litres (B5/IB5 5-speed transmissions)
1.7 litres (B 6-speed transmissions)
Gearbox oil filler/level plug torque
35 Nm
Ford Focus Mk3 coolant replacement
Coolant type
50/50 mix of water and Motorcraft SuperPlus antifreeze to Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D
How much coolant?
Petrol engines 6.0 litres
Diesel engines 7.3 litres
Ford Focus Mk3 Fluids
Brake/clutch fluid
DOT 4 brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Hydraulic fluid to Ford specification WSS-M2C204-A2
Ford Focus Mk3 Torque Specs
Wheel nuts
135 Nm
Front brake caliper guide pins
28 Nm
Front brake caliper mounting bracket bolts
175 Nm
Rear brake caliper guide pins
35 Nm
Rear brake caliper mounting bracket bolts
70 Nm
Spark plugs
13 Nm (1.0 litre engines)
15 Nm (1.6 litre engines)
ABS wheel speed sensor bolts
5 Nm
Ford Focus Mk3 maintenance schedule
The Ford Focus Mk3 maintenance intervals shown below are provided with the assumption that you, not the dealer, will be carrying out the work. These are the minimum intervals recommended by us for vehicles driven daily. If you wish to keep your vehicle in peak condition at all times, you may wish to perform some of these procedures more often. We encourage frequent maintenance, since it enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is driven in dusty areas, used to tow a trailer, or driven frequently at slow speeds (idling in traffic) or on short journeys, more frequent maintenance intervals are recommended.
Ford Focus Mk3 service intervals
Petrol engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the power steering fluid level*
- Check the condition of the battery
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
*Some early models, were equipped with traditional hydraulic power steering.
Every 12,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first
- Renew the engine oil and oil filter
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the operation of the lights and the horn
- Check under the bonnet for fluid leaks and hose condition
- Check the condition of the engine compartment wiring
- Check the condition of the brake pads, shoes and discs
- Check the exhaust system
- Check the steering and suspension components for condition and security
- Check the condition of the driveshaft joints and gaiters
- Check the underbody and all fuel/brake lines
- Lubricate all hinges and locks
- Roadwheel nuts tightness check
- Carry out a road test
- Check and if necessary adjust the handbrake
- Check the condition of the seat belts
- Check the antifreeze/inhibitor strength
Every 37,500 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first
In addition to the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Renew the air filter*
- Renew the spark plugs
*If the vehicle is used in dusty conditions, the air filter should be renewed more frequently.
Every 80,000 miles
- Renew the timing belt and tensioners – 1.6 engines*
*The Ford interval for belt renewal is actually at a much higher mileage than this (100 000 miles or 8 years on Ti-VCT engines and 125 000 on miles or 10 years on EcoBoost engines). It is strongly recommended, however, that the interval is reduced to 80 000 miles, particularly on vehicles which are subjected to intensive use, ie, mainly short journeys or a lot of stop-start driving. The actual belt renewal interval is therefore very much up to the individual owner, but bear in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks
Every 100,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first
- Renew the auxiliary belt
- Renew the timing belt and tensioners – 1.0 litre engines*
*The Ford interval for belt renewal is actually at a much higher mileage than this (150 000 miles or 10 years). It is strongly recommended, however, that the interval is reduced to 100 000 miles, particularly on vehicles which are subjected to intensive use, ie, mainly short journeys or a lot of stop-start driving. The actual belt renewal interval is therefore very much up to the individual owner, but bear in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks.
Every 2 years, regardless of mileage
- Renew the brake fluid
- Renew the pollen filter
- Renew remote control battery
- Renew the coolant*
*If Ford ‘Superplus’ antifreeze is used, the coolant can then be left for a maximum of ten years, providing the strength of the mixture is checked every year. If any antifreeze other than Ford’s is to be used, the coolant must be renewed at regular intervals to provide an equivalent degree of protection; the conventional recommendation is to renew the coolant every two years.
Diesel engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the power steering fluid level*
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
*Some early models, were equipped with traditional hydraulic power steering.
Every 12,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first
In addition to the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Renew the engine oil and filter
- Drain the fuel filter
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the operation of the lights and the horn
- Check under the bonnet for fluid leaks and hose condition
- Check the condition of the engine compartment wiring
- Check the condition of the seat belts
- Check the condition of the brake pads, shoes and discs
- Check the exhaust system
- Check the steering and suspension components for condition and security
- Check the condition of the driveshaft joints and gaiters
- Check the underbody and all fuel/brake lines
- Lubricate all hinges and locks
- Check roadwheel nut tightness
- Carry out a road test
- Check and if necessary adjust the handbrake
- Check the antifreeze/inhibitor strength
Every 37,500 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first
In addition to the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Renew the fuel filter
- Renew the air filter*
- Renew the pollen filter*
*If the vehicle is used in dusty conditions, the air filter and pollen filter should be renewed more frequently.
Every 100,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first
- Renew the auxiliary belt
- Renew the timing belt and tensioner*
*The Ford interval for belt renewal (timing and auxiliary drive) is actually at a much higher mileage than this (125 000 miles or 10 years). It is strongly recommended, however, that the interval is reduced to 100 000 miles or 8 years, particularly on vehicles which are subjected to intensive use, ie, mainly short journeys or a lot of stop-start driving. The actual belt renewal interval is therefore very much up to the individual owner, but bear in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks.
Every 2 years, regardless of mileage
- Renew the brake fluid
- Renew the remote control battery
- Renew the coolant*
*If Ford ‘Superplus’ antifreeze is used, the coolant can then be left for a maximum of 10 years, providing the strength of the mixture is checked every year. If any antifreeze other than Ford’s is to be used, the coolant must be renewed at regular intervals to provide an equivalent degree of protection; the conventional recommendation is to renew the coolant every two years.