2007 Ford Focus Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 191

Maintenance and Specifications Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the windshield, refer to Windows and wiper blades in the Cleaning chapter. To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the wiper rubber element. ENGINE OIL Checking the engine oil Refer to the scheduled maintenance information for the appropriate intervals for checking the engine oil. 1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground. 2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan. 3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P (automatic transaxle) or 1st (manual transaxle). 4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat. 5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick). 6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it again. • If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL. • If the oil level is below the MIN mark, add enough engine oil to raise the level within the MIN and MAX range. Refer to Adding engine oil in this chapter. • Oil levels above MAX mark may cause engine damage. If the engine is overfilled, some oil must be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer. 7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated. 191 2007 Focus (foc) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA (fus)