Ford · Vehicle Guide

Ford Focus Transmission Fluid

Which transmission fluid the Ford Focus uses by model year and transmission, and how to check the level.

Quick answer

Motorcraft MERCON LV (2011 automatic; 2018 conventional automatic); Motorcraft Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid (2018 PowerShift dual-clutch) — confirm which transmission your car has. Dipstick: Some years. The 2011 owner's manual gives a dipstick check; the 2018 manual says the automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick. Fill capacity and change interval depend on your exact year, engine and transmission, so they are not listed here — use your owner's manual.

Updated October 24, 2026

Confirm your exact version. The Ford Focus was sold across several model years and more than one transmission. What is shown here is general guidance and has not been verified for every individual configuration. Before buying fluid or servicing, confirm the fluid spec, capacity, and check procedure for your exact model year and transmission using the owner's manual or a dealer parts lookup for your VIN.

Fluid specifications

Fluid (confirm for your year): Motorcraft MERCON LV (2011 automatic; 2018 conventional automatic); Motorcraft Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid (2018 PowerShift dual-clutch) — confirm which transmission your car has
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (6F35) or 2012–2018 PowerShift dual-clutch (DPS6)
Capacity and interval: Not listed — varies by year, engine and transmission. See your owner's manual.
Dipstick: Some years
Applies to: 2000–2018 (US)

Official documents checked for this page

These cover only the model years named above, not every configuration.

This is general guidance for the Ford Focus. Always confirm the exact fluid spec and capacity for your model year in the owner's manual before servicing. Official source: Ford owner resources.

How to check it

Whether the Ford Focus has a dipstick depends on the model year and transmission — some are sealed and checked from a fill/level plug, others have a dipstick. Confirm which one applies to your exact version before checking. See our step-by-step guides:

Frequently asked questions

What type of transmission fluid does the Ford Focus use?+

For the Ford Focus: Motorcraft MERCON LV (2011 automatic; 2018 conventional automatic); Motorcraft Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid (2018 PowerShift dual-clutch) — confirm which transmission your car has. Always confirm the exact specification for your model year in the owner's manual before topping up or changing fluid — using the wrong fluid can damage the transmission.

Does the Ford Focus have a transmission dipstick?+

It depends on the year — some Ford Focus models have a dipstick and others are sealed. Check your specific model year.

How often should Ford Focus transmission fluid be changed?+

The interval depends on your model year, transmission and how the vehicle is used, so we do not publish a single number for the Ford Focus. Your owner's manual or maintenance schedule gives the interval, usually with a shorter one for severe service such as towing, extreme heat or stop-and-go driving.

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