Ford Focus Owners' Guide
- Car ownership
- Ford
FixMyCar provides key information about the Ford Focus.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Thursday May 01 2025
10 min read
The Ford Focus, launched in 1998, was one of the UK’s most popular cars for many years. It proved that you could have it all: practicality, fun, and affordability rolled into one neat family car.
This owners’ guide compiles key information about your Focus in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly.
Ford Focus generations
Ford Focus Mk1 1998-2004
The first-generation Focus boasted New Edge styling, class-leading handling, and a spacious interior – in short, it ticked all the boxes required for an instant hit. Trim levels included Ghia, Zetec, LX and CL.
Body styles:
Three-door hatchback
Five-door hatchback
Four-door saloon
Five-door estate
Key engine options:
1.4-litre 75bhp Zetec-SE petrol
1.6-litre 100bhp Zetec-SE petrol
2.0-litre 215bhp Duratec RS turbo petrol
1.8-litre 75bhp Endura-Di turbo diesel
1.8-litre 100/115bhp TDCi turbo diesel
Ford Focus Mk2 2004-2011
The Mk2 version sacrificed the edginess of its predecessor for a much safer design, though there were improvements to the interior build quality. New technology was also introduced, including Bluetooth and phone connectivity.
Body styles:
Three-door hatchback
Five-door hatchback
Four-door saloon
Five-door estate
Two-door coupe
Key engine options:
1.4-litre 80bhp Duratec petrol
1.6-litre 100/115bhp Duratec petrol
2.0-litre 145bhp Duratec petrol
1.6-litre 90/109bhp TDCi diesel
2.0-litre 136bhp TDCi diesel
Ford Focus Mk3 2011-2018
The Mk3 Focus had a more limited lineup in the UK, consisting of hatchback and estate versions. It saw the introduction of EcoBoost petrol engines along with performance and efficiency variants.
A facelift in 2014 refreshed the interior and introduced a new touchscreen, bringing the previously dated interior up to standard.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Five-door estate
Key engine options:
1.0-litre 100/125/140bhp EcoBoost petrol
1.5-litre 150/182bhp EcoBoost petrol
1.6-litre 85/105bhp Ti-VCT Duratec petrol
2.0-litre 250bhp EcoBoost ST petrol
2.3-litre 350bhp EcoBoost RS petrol
1.5-litre 95/105/120bhp TDCi diesel
2.0-litre 150/163/185bhp TDCi diesel
Ford Focus Mk4 2018-2025
The fourth-generation Focus is lighter and more spacious than its predecessors. It’s packed with the latest tech, and there is an Active model with a raised ride height and plastic body cladding, designed with the popularity of crossover vehicles in mind.
The fuel economy has improved by around 10% thanks to advanced engine technology, and a 2022 facelift introduced smarter, upmarket materials to the interior.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Five-door estate
Active crossover variant
Key engine options:
1.0-litre 100/125/155bhp EcoBoost petrol
1.5-litre 150/182bhp petrol
2.3-litre 280bhp EcoBoost petrol
1.5-litre 95/120bhp EcoBlue diesel
2.0-litre 150/190bhp EcoBlue diesel
Service intervals
As a rule of thumb, you should book a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, and a major service every 24 months or 24,000 miles. The major service should be carried out in place of your annual service for that year.
However, cars vary in their maintenance requirements, so it’s essential to check your owner’s manual for the correct information for your vehicle.
Haynes recommends the following maintenance intervals for the Mk3 Focus.
| Every 250 miles |
|---|
| Check engine oil level |
| Check coolant level |
| Check screenwash level |
| Check brake/clutch fluid level |
| Check tyres and tyre pressures |
| Check power steering fluid level (if applicable) |
| Check battery condition |
| Check wiper blades |
| Every 12,500 miles or 12 months |
|---|
| Change oil and filter |
| Check condition of auxiliary drivebelt |
| Check operation of lights and horn |
| Check coolant system and hoses |
| Check engine compartment wiring |
| Check condition of brakes |
| Check exhaust system |
| Check steering and suspension components |
| Check condition of driveshaft joints and gaiters |
| Check underbody of fuel/brake lines |
| Lubricate hinges and locks |
| Check wheel nut tightness |
| Check seat belt conditions |
| Check coolant strength |
| Every 37,500 miles or 3 years |
|---|
| Renew air filter |
| Renew spark plugs |
| Every 80,000 miles |
|---|
| Renew timing belt (1.6 engines) |
| Every 100,000 miles or 8 years |
|---|
| Renew auxiliary belt |
| Every 2 years |
|---|
| Renew brake fluid |
| Renew pollen filter |
| Renew remote control battery |
| Renew coolant |
Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides:
Tyre pressure
What are the tyre pressures for a Ford Focus?
The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the Focus on TyrePressures.com.
However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. You can find the correct pressure for your Focus:
In the vehicle handbook/owner’s manual.
Printed on the sill of the driver’s door.
On the inside of the fuel tank cap.
Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information.
| Focus model year | Front tyre size | Front tyre pressure | Rear tyre size | Rear tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025, 2024 | 235/40/R18 91 V | 31 PSI/2.1 BAR | 235/40/R18 91 V | 31 PSI/2.1 BAR |
| 2023, 2022, 2021 | 215/50/R17 91 V | 33 PSI/2.3 BAR | 215/50/R17 91 V | 33 PSI/2.3 BAR |
| 2020, 2019 | 215/50/R17 95 W | 30 PSI/2.1 BAR | 215/50/R17 95 W | 30 PSI/2.1 BAR |
| 2018 | 235/40/R18 95 Y | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 235/40/R18 95 Y | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR |
How to reset a Ford Focus tyre pressure warning light
Mk3 instructions
Switch the ignition on. The engine doesn’t have to be running.
When you see a warning message saying ‘tyre sensors not detected – check handbook’, press 'OK' using the steering wheel controls.
From your usual dashboard display, press the left arrow.
Scroll down using the steering wheel controls until you reach ‘settings’.
Press ‘OK’ to enter the settings menu.
Select ‘driver assist’ from the menu options.
Use the down arrow to navigate to ‘tyre monitoring’.
Hold ‘OK’ to store your current tyre pressure.
Mk4 instructions
Switch the ignition on. The engine doesn’t have to be running.
Using the steering wheel control buttons, scroll through the dashboard menu options and select ‘settings’ by pressing the menu button.
Next, go to ‘information’, then ‘tyre pressure’.
Select ‘store’ and hold ‘OK’.
You will see a message confirming that the tyre pressure has been stored.
Engine oil
It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil for your car – find out why in this guide.
5W-30 and 5W-20 oil is commonly used in Ford models, but the recommended oil grade can vary between different Focus configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the correct oil for your vehicle.
Some examples are shown in the table below.
| Model version | Oil grade |
|---|---|
| Mk3 1.0 petrol | 5W-20 |
| Mk3 1.6 petrol | 5W-20 |
| Mk3 1.5 diesel | 0W-30 |
| Mk2 1.4 petrol | 5W-30 |
Ford recommends using Castrol engine oil.
What is the oil capacity of a Ford Focus?
Oil capacity can vary depending on the size of your engine. Most models will have a capacity of between three and six litres.
Before changing your oil, check this information in your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t overfill the system.
Need help checking and topping up your engine oil? Read this guide.
How to reset a Ford Focus oil change light
Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
Press and hold the accelerator and brake pedals simultaneously.
You will see a message on the dashboard saying that a reset is in progress.
Continue holding the pedals until you see another message informing you that the reset is complete.
Battery
What battery do I need for my Ford Focus?
The type and size of the battery will depend on the model’s configurations. You can find this information in your owner’s manual.
⚠️ If your car has start-stop technology that automatically switches the engine off when stationary, it requires an AGM or EFB battery.
Things to consider when buying a battery for your Ford Focus
Start-Stop Systems: Models equipped with start-stop technology require Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) or Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) due to their enhanced charge cycles and durability.
Battery Dimensions: It's crucial to match the battery dimensions and hold-down type to ensure proper fitment.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): Higher CCA values are beneficial for cold starts, especially in diesel engines.
Battery Brands: Reputable brands like Bosch, Varta, Exide, and Halfords offer batteries compatible with Ford Focus models.
Warning lights
What do the warning lights mean on a Ford Focus?
Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test.
Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic.
Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage.
Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide.
Ford Focus warning lights you might not know
Ford engine air filter warning light
The air filter warning light looks like a line of yellow dots in the middle, with small lines on one side and curved arrows on the other, showing air moving through a filter.
The air filter prevents dust and debris from reaching the engine. When this warning light appears on the dashboard, it indicates that the filter is clogged and needs replacing.
Ford water in fuel light
The water in fuel warning light looks like a fuel pump with some water droplets beside it. Diesel fuel filters are designed to filter out the small amounts of water found in diesel before it reaches the engine and causes damage.
When you see the water in fuel light in your Focus, the fuel filter is full and needs emptying. This is a manual process in some vehicles and automatic in others. If your car’s fuel filter automatically empties and the warning light still appears, it might mean the system isn’t working.
Spotted a warning light but don’t know what’s causing it? Don’t guess – book a diagnostic test!
Common problems
Whether you’re already a proud Focus owner or you’re in the market for one, it’s helpful to know what kind of common problems the model experiences.
Our Ford Focus common problems guide explores this topic in detail, so we’ll just cover two top issues here.
1. Leaks
Various fluid leaks have affected the Focus over the years:
Mk4 – A small amount of coolant can leak from the thermostat housing.
Mk3 – Petrol cars with 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines can experience oil leaks from the transmission.
2. Wet belt failure
Wet belts are housed in the engine and lubricated with oil. They have proved problematic due to their fast rate of wear, which can lead to debris from the rubber belt circulating in the engine and causing damage.
Not all Focus models have a wet belt – check your owner’s manual to find out.
Find out how much a Ford wet belt replacement costs.
Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice:
Top Ford Focus questions and topics
How to open a Ford Focus bonnet
The bonnet opening method varies depending on when your Ford Focus was made. Check out this guide for step-by-step instructions across different generations.
How long is a Ford Focus?
The length of a Ford Focus ranges between 4,382mm and 4,397mm. You can find the exact dimensions of your vehicle in your owner’s manual.
Where are Ford Focus cars made?
Every Focus generation has been manufactured at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany – the same factory where other iconic models like the Escort were made.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.