Checking the engine oil level

Check the engine oil level after every third stop at a gas station or after a long period of high-speed motorway driving. While driving or in the presence of an old engine with increased oil consumption, it is advisable to check the oil level at least every 1000 kilometers. Top up the oil supply before the oil level is approximately halfway between the two marks on the dipstick. Your Mondeo is only missing half a liter of oil.

Constant control

PROCEDURE

Check the oil level on a cold engine if possible, i.e. before starting. In this case, the car must be located on a horizontal surface. To check the oil level of a warm engine, give it a short break of at least five minutes to give the circulating oil enough time to collect in the oil sump. Pull out the dipstick. Be careful with a hot engine: the dipstick can be very hot. Wipe the dipstick with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel and reinsert it all the way into the oil sump. Wait a moment and pull out the dipstick again. If the level is in the upper quarter between the minimum and maximum, then everything is in order. If it falls in the middle between the minimum and maximum, then add oil to a maximum of half a liter. On the contrary, if the level is at the lower marking or even lower, then immediately add the missing volume - based on practical experience, your Mondeo is missing about a liter of oil. In general, add enough oil so that the level never rises above the upper mark. Too much oil is also harmful to any engine: it escapes through the sealing surfaces and the crankshaft O-rings (oiled clutch, belt pulleys), or is sometimes sucked in by the crankcase ventilation system and contaminates the air filter, including the intake tract. Our recommendation: keep the level constantly in the area of the upper quarter. When adding oil from large drums, use a clean funnel.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Waste oil - disposal for environmental protection Waste oil should be handed over to the place of its purchase. They are required to dispose of it. In addition, you can dispose of the used oil along with the oil filter and oil-stained rags at special collection points. Their addresses can be obtained from the community office or the car club. It doesn't always have to be "MAX": the oil level should fluctuate between the "MAX" and "MIN" marks. The maximum top-up volume between these marks is 0.5-1.0 liters for Duratec units. In DuraTorg-DI, 2 liters will fit between the "MAX" and "MIN" labels. Duratec-HE 16V-motor Duratec-VE 24V-motor DuraTorg-DI 16V motor

Oil change interval - a matter of conditions of use

For all Mondeo carburetor engines, an oil change interval is set at 20,000 kilometers (diesel engines after 15,000 km). If you mostly drive long distances with your Mondeo, you can safely add about 5000 kilometers to this figure. On the contrary, if you drive exclusively for short distances within the city, then the oil should be changed earlier: in winter after 6000 kilometers or every six months - a proven change cycle.

Oil change - when it pays off for the amateur

It is beneficial to change it yourself when using an inexpensive oil of the prescribed specification, purchased from auto supply stores, department stores or at a gas station. During a normal oil change (the oil is drained from the oil pan, the filter is replaced, the oil is disposed of at a collection point) you need to raise your Mondeo. This happens quickly and cleanly at a gas station that has a suction unit.

However, this method also has its drawbacks: the sludge remains in the oil sump and without the simultaneous replacement of the oil filter, the new engine oil acquires such «present». The most convenient place for replacement is a special workshop. Naturally, this work must be properly paid for by the master: as a rule, he uses only expensive grades of oil and also includes the disposal of used oil in the calculation. However, the conclusion of an appropriate contract may be more profitable. Do your own calculations first. It may often turn out that doing this work in workshops, even when changing the oil and oil filter, is more profitable than buying it all yourself.

How much oil does your Mondeo need at each oil change?

Engine	Engine oil with filter*
Duratec-HE	4.3 liters
Duratec-VE	5.5 liters
DuraTorg-DI	6.5 liters

*oil filter must match engine type (Duratec-HE, Duratec-VE, DuraTorg)

Use only genuine filters.