Change the engine oil and oil filter Ford F150
1. Frequent oil changes are the most important preventive maintenance procedures that can be done by the home mechanic. As engine oil ages, it becomes diluted and contaminated, which leads to premature engine wear.
1 Drain pan — It should be fairly shallow in depth, but wide to prevent spills
2 Rubber gloves — When removing the drain plug and filter, you will get oil on your hands (the gloves will prevent burns)
3 Breaker bar — Sometimes the oil drain plug is tight, and a long breaker bar is needed to loosen it
4 Socket — To be used with the breaker bar or a ratchet (must be the correct size to fit the drain plug — six-point preferred)
5 Filter wrench — This is a metal band-type wrench, which requires clearance around the filter to be effective
6 Filter wrench — This type fits on the bottom of the filter and can be turned with a ratchet or breaker bar (different-size wrenches are available for different types of filters)
2. Make sure that you have all the necessary tools before you begin this procedure (see illustration). You should also have plenty of rags or newspapers handy for mopping up oil spills.
3. Access to the oil drain plug and filter will be improved if the vehicle can be lifted on a hoist, driven onto ramps or supported by jackstands.
Warning: Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack — always use jackstands!
4. If you haven’t changed the oil on this vehicle before, get under it and locate the oil drain plug and the oil filter (on some models, the filter is located in the engine compartment). The exhaust components will be warm as you work, so note how they are routed to avoid touching them when you are under the vehicle.
5. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature — oil and sludge will flow out more easily when warm. If new oil, a filter or tools are needed, use the vehicle to go get them and warm up the engine/ oil at the same time. Park on a level surface and shut off the engine when it’s warmed up. Remove the oil filler cap from the valve cover.
Engine rear splash shield mounting bolt locations
6. Raise the vehicle and support it on jackstands. Make sure it is safely supported! Remove the engine rear splash shield.
Caution: Be careful not to touch the hot exhaust components.
2.7L turbo models
Unscrew the housing to access the oil filter element (2.7L V6 models)
7. Locate the canister-type oil filter housing at the front of the engine compartment. Rotate the filter housing counter-clockwise with a wrench, then remove the housing and filter element from the engine. This will also allow any oil that remains in the housing to drain into the bottom of the engine oil pan.
Rotate the drain plug 120 degrees (counter-clockwise) by hand, then pull out the plug and allow the oil to drain into the pan
8. Position a drain pan under the plug in the bottom of the engine, then rotate the drain plug counterclockwise 120-degrees by hand and remove the plug. It’s a good idea to wear a rubber glove while unscrewing the plug the final few turns to avoid being scalded by hot oil. It may be necessary to move the drain pan slightly as oil flow slows to a trickle. Inspect the old oil for the presence of metal particles.
9. Once all the oil has drained, wipe off the drain plug and opening on the engine oil pan. Confirming that the 0-ring on the drain plug is in suitable condition, install the plug and turn it clockwise by hand until it is fully seated.
Remove the old filter element, replace and lubricate the 0-rings, then install a new filter element into the housing
1 Filter housing
2 Filter element
3 0-rings
10. Separate the old filter element from the housing, clean the housing and replace all the 0-rings (and lubricate them with a film of clean engine oil), then install a new filter element into the housing.
11. Clean the engine mating surface of the oil filter from all old oil and sealing material. Install the filter and housing, screwing it into place, then tighten it to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
12. Remove all tools and materials from under the vehicle, being careful not to spill the oil in the drain pan, then lower the vehicle if it was raised.
5.0L, 3.3L Duratec, 3.5L turbo and 3.5L non-turbo engines
On 3.5L non-turbocharged and 5.0L models, use a proper size box-end wrench or socket to remove the oil drain plug and avoid rounding it off
13. Position a drain pan under the plug in the bottom of the engine, turn the drain plug counter-clockwise with a wrench, then unscrew and remove the plug the rest of the way by hand. It’s a good idea to wear a rubber glove while unscrewing the plug the final few turns to avoid being scalded by hot oil.
Note: For removing the drain plug on 3.5L turbo engines, see Step 8.
14. It may be necessary to move the drain pan slightly as oil flow slows to a trickle. Inspect the old oil for the presence of metal particles.
15. After all the oil has drained, wipe off the drain plug with a clean rag. Any small metal particles clinging to the plug would immediately contaminate the new oil. Also clean the area around the drain plug opening.
16. Reinstall the plug and tighten it to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
17. Move the drain pan into position under the oil filter.
The oil filter is usually on very tight and in most cases, will require a special oil filter wrench to remove it — DO NOT use the wrench to tighten the new filter
18. Loosen the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise with a filter wrench (see illustration).
19. Once the filter is loose, use your hands to unscrew it from the block. Empty the old oil inside the filter into the drain pan.
20. Using a clean rag, wipe off the mounting surface on the block. Also, make sure that none of the old gasket remains stuck to the mounting surface. It can be removed with a scraper if necessary.
21. Compare the old filter with the new one to make sure they are the same type. Smear some engine oil on the rubber gasket of the new filter and screw it into place (see illustration). Overtightening the filter will damage the gasket, so don’t use a filter wrench. Most filter manufacturers recommend tightening the filter by hand only. Normally they should be tightened 3/4-turn after the gasket contacts the block, but be sure to follow the directions on the filter or container.
22. Remove all tools and materials from under the vehicle, being careful not to spill the oil in the drain pan, then lower the vehicle if it was raised.
All models
23. Add the specified type of new oil to the engine through the oil filler cap. Use a funnel to prevent oil from spilling onto the top of the engine. Add the specified amount of oil, minus one quart. Wait about 15 minutes to allow the oil to drain into the pan, then check the level on the dipstick (see Section 4 if necessary). If the oil level is in the OK range, install the filler cap.
24. Start the engine and run it for about a minute. While the engine is running, look under the vehicle and check for leaks at the oil pan drain plug and around the oil filter. If either one is leaking, stop the engine and tighten the plug or filter slightly.
25. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes, then recheck the level on the dipstick. Add oil as necessary to bring the level near the MAX mark. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
26. Fully insert the dipstick and install the filler cap hand-tight.
27. During the first few trips after an oil change, make it a point to check frequently for leaks and proper oil level.
28. The old oil drained from the engine cannot be reused in its present state and should be disposed of. Check with your local auto parts store, disposal facility or environmental agency to see if they will accept the oil for recycling. After the oil has cooled it can be drained into a container (capped plastic jugs, topped bottles, milk cartons, etc.) for transport to one of these disposal sites. Don’t dispose of the oil by pouring it on the ground or down a drain!
Oil change/oil life indicator reset
2016 and earlier models
29. On the left-hand side of the steering wheel, press the right arrow button, then from the settings menu scroll to the «convenience» message. Press the right arrow button again, scrolling from the «convenience» menu until the «oil life reset» message is displayed.
30. Press and hold the OK button until the instrument cluster displays «Reset Successful». When the oil life indicator is reset the instrument cluster will display 100%.
31. If the instrument cluster displays «Not Reset or Reset Cancelled» repeat Steps 29 and 30.
2017 and later models
32. Use the steering wheel controls (left side) to find the main menu.
33. Use the right arrow button to move to «Settings.»
34. Use the right arrow to select «Vehicle.»
35. Use the right arrow to select «Oil Life.»
36. Hold OK to reset.