How to Check and Fill Fluids 2008-12 Ford Escape
Created on: 2019-02-04
How to check and fill the coolant, oil, washer, brake, and transmission fluids in a 2012 Ford Escapeon 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Ford Escape.
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step 1 :Checking the Coolant
- Pull the hood release lever
- Push the release lever on the hood and use the prop rod to keep the hood open
- Wait for the engine to cool
- Twist the coolant reservoir cap off counterclockwise
- Check the coolant level
- Add the appropriate coolant as necessary
- Replace the cap
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step 2 :Checking the Washer Fluid
- Pull off the washer fluid reservoir cap
- Check the reservoir has fluid above the MIN line
- Add the appropriate fluid as necessary
- Replace the cap
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step 3 :Checking the Oil
- Pull out the dipstick
- Use a rag to clean off the dipstick
- Insert the oil dipstick
- Pull out the oil dipstick
- Check that the oil level is between the low and full marks
- Insert the oil dipstick
- To add oil, twist the oil fill cap off counterclockwise
- Add the appropriate oil as necessary
- Twist the oil cap on clockwise
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step 4 :Checking the Brake Fluid
- Twist the brake fluid reservoir cap off counterclockwise
- Check the brake fluid level (it may help to give the reservoir a shake), using a flashlight if necessary
- Check that the brake fluid is between the minimum and maximum lines
- Add the appropriate fluid (the cap will most likely list the recommended fluid) as necessary
- Twist the brake fluid reservoir cap on clockwise
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step 5 :Checking the Transmission Fluid
- Ideally, drive the car for about 20 miles so that the engine is at the normal operating temperature
- With your foot on the brake, shift through all of the gears a few times before shifting back into park
- Leave the engine running
- Pull out the oil dipstick
- Clean off the oil dipstick
- Pull out the oil dipstick
- Check that the oil level is between the low and full marks
- Add the appropriate fluid as necessary to the dipstick tube
- Insert the oil dipstick
Tools needed
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Windshield Washer Fluid
Brake Fluid
Transmission Fluid
Cloth Rags
Anti-Freeze
Engine Oil
Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years.
What's up, guys? I'm Andy from 1A Auto. In this video, I'm going to show you how to check the fluids under the hood in this 2012 Ford Escape. If you need parts for your vehicle, click the link in the description and head over to 1aauto.com.
Alright. We're going to open the door. To open the hood, I'm just going to grab this lever, right here; pull that up. To lift the hood, if you look above this Ford symbol, to the right a little bit, there's a lever, right here; slide that towards the passenger's side. Lift up on the hood. And then there's a prop rod, right here; just going to grab the prop rod. I'm going to stick that right there. It's going to hold the hood up.
To check the coolant, you're going to look in the reservoir, right here. You want the coolant between these two lines. So, this is the lower line and this is the upper line. So, you want check this when the vehicle is cold. Right now, the coolant's actually on the lower side. So, you can pop this cap off. Again, make sure the vehicle is cold when you do this. And you can top your coolant off. Make sure you use the appropriate coolant.
To check your washer fluid, the cap is right here. Open the cap. You can take the appropriate washer fluid—there're many different types of washer fluid. There's some winter washer fluid; there's some for bugs; some for ice. So—and then we'll just fill it up. And once you get plenty of washer fluid in there, we can put the cap on. I don't like to go all the way to the top. You can fill it to a couple inches below the top and then you'll be good.
To check the engine oil, you're going to come over here. There's a dipstick right here. Grab the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out. We're going to take a rag and just wipe the dipstick down. Reinsert the dipstick. You're going to push the dipstick all the way in. This one's a little bit sticky. And grab the dipstick again. Pull it out. And we're going to check. You want the fluid level to be in between these two little dots— somewhere in those hash marks. Which, our level’s right in the middle, which is good. We could add a little bit. But you don't want to have it too close to the top. So this actually is pretty good, right here. And we'll reinstall the dipstick. Slide it in. Then when you add the oil, the fill cap is over here. Just take the fill cap off. Generally, it says what type of oil to use. So, you can use that type of oil. Use a funnel and top off your oil. We can reinstall the cap. Just line it up. Lock it in place.
To check the brake fluid, the brake fluid reservoir is right here. And the cap—you want take a rag; you just want to make sure you wipe off the cap. Now you can see through it. It is clear. And there's a max. line on the side, here, and min. line. So, to check it, you can just shake it a little bit, and normally see or hold the light right up to it. If you have to add to it, take the cap off; add the brake fluid. Generally, on the top of the cap, it'll say what type of brake fluid. This vehicle requires DOT 3 brake fluid. Top it off; reinstall the cap, and you're good to go.
To check the transmission fluid, you're going to want to drive the vehicle for about 20 miles. You want the engine at normal operating temperature. And then when you get back, you're going to take—in park, then with your foot on the brake, grab the shifter. You're going to shift through all the gears. Reverse, neutral, drive and low. And go back. Do it a couple times. Go back to park. Leave the engine running, and then we're going to go check the fluid.
You want to make sure you're on a level surface when you're checking this with the engine running. You grab the dipstick, here. We're going to wipe the dipstick off with a rag. Take the dipstick and reinstall it. Make sure the dipstick gets fully seated, all the way down. Pull the dipstick back out. Then you're going to check the fluid. And the fluid level should be between these two lines, right here, when the vehicle's hot. And if it's below here, you're going to want to add the appropriate fluid. If it's too high, you're going to have to drain some out. And then when you add the fluid, you're going to add it right to the dipstick tube. And it says right on the dipstick tube what type of fluid it is. You can also check your owner's manual. Then you're good to go.
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