F-150 – Engine Oil & Filter Change 🛢️

Nice truck. I’ll walk you through this like it’s your first time, step by step.

Quick Questions ❓

Before we start, tell me:

• ✅ Do you plan to use a floor jack and jack stands, or do you have ramps?
• ✅ Do you want Ford-spec oil info (type/amount) in U.S. quarts or liters?

I’ll assume you’re working at home on level ground and give you the full process below.

What You Need 🧰

• 🔧 Tools
  • Floor jack – to lift the front of your F-150.
  • Jack stands – sturdy stands that hold the truck safely once lifted.
  • Wheel chocks – blocks behind the rear tires so the truck can’t roll.
  • Socket set – you’ll need a 13 mm socket for the drain plug.
  • Ratchet – the handle that turns the socket.
  • Oil filter wrench – a tool that grips the oil filter so you can loosen it.
  • Drain pan – a low container to catch old oil (at least 10 qt / 9.5 L).
  • Funnel – helps pour new oil without spilling.
  • Shop towels / rags – for cleanup.
  • Safety glasses & gloves – protect eyes and hands from hot oil.
• 🧴 Fluids & Parts (2015 F-150 5.0L)
  • Engine oil type: SAE 5W-20, meeting Ford spec WSS‑M2C945‑A (or later equivalent).
  • Oil capacity with filter: about 8.8 quarts (8.3 liters).
  • Oil filter: Ford OEM (Motorcraft) FL‑500S or equivalent.
  • New drain plug washer if your plug uses a separate gasket (many are built-in, but check).
• 📏 Key Torque Specs
  • Drain plug: ~20–25 lb‑ft (27–34 N·m).
  • Oil filter: Hand-tight only – usually ¾ turn after gasket contacts.

Safety First ⚠️

• 🛑 Always support the truck with jack stands, never just the jack.
• 🛑 Let the engine cool a bit; warm oil drains better, but very hot oil can burn you.
• 🛑 Keep the area under the truck clear; no kids, no pets.

Step 1 – Warm Up & Park 🔥

• 🚗 Start your F-150 and let it idle for about 3–5 minutes so the oil is warm.
• 🅿️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and shift to PARK.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind both rear wheels.
• 🔌 Turn engine off and remove the key.

Step 2 – Raise and Support the Front (If Needed) 🏗️

• 🔧 Position the floor jack under the front crossmember (strong metal beam under the front).
• ⬆️ Lift until you have enough room to slide under safely.
• 🦾 Place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides and lower the truck onto them.
• 🧪 Give the truck a gentle push to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3 – Open the Hood & Oil Filler Cap 🚙

• 🔓 Pull the hood release inside the cab, then open the hood and secure the prop rod.
• 🧴 Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine (marked “SAE 5W-20”).
• 🔁 Loosen or remove the cap – this helps the oil drain faster.

Step 4 – Remove the Drain Plug & Drain Oil 🕳️

• 🛢️ Slide the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug (bottom of the engine, toward the front).
• 🔧 Use your 13 mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• ✋ Finish unscrewing the plug by hand and quickly move your hand away so oil flows into the pan.
• ⏱️ Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip – usually 5–10 minutes.
• 👀 Inspect the drain plug threads and gasket; replace the plug or washer if damaged.

Step 5 – Reinstall the Drain Plug 🔩

• 🧽 Wipe the area around the drain hole with a rag.
• 🔁 Install the drain plug by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• 🔧 Tighten with the ratchet, then torque to about 20–25 lb‑ft (27–34 N·m).
• Do not overtighten – you can strip the threads in the oil pan.

Step 6 – Remove the Oil Filter 🧴

• 📍 On the 5.0L, the oil filter is mounted on the side of the engine block, accessible from below (look up near the front of the engine).
• 🛢️ Move the drain pan under the filter – some oil will spill when you remove it.
• 🔧 Use the oil filter wrench to turn the filter counterclockwise until loose.
• ✋ Spin it off by hand and keep it upright to minimize spills.
• 👀 Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. If it’s stuck on the engine, peel it off. Never double-gasket.

Step 7 – Install the New Oil Filter 🆕

• 🧴 Put a little fresh engine oil on your finger and lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket. This helps it seal and come off easier next time.
• ✋ Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket just touches the mounting surface.
• 🔁 Then tighten by hand an additional ¾ turn. No wrench needed unless you can’t grip it well.

Step 8 – Add New Oil Under the Hood ⛽

• 🧴 Place the funnel in the oil filler opening.
• 📏 Pour in about 8 quarts (7.6 L) of 5W-20 to start (slightly under full capacity so we can top off accurately).
• 🔁 Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9 – Start Engine & Check for Leaks 👀

• ⬇️ Make sure tools are clear from under the truck.
• 🔑 Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• 🧭 Look under the truck at the drain plug and oil filter:
  • No drips = good.
  • If you see leaks, shut off engine and gently snug that part a bit more.
• ⏹️ Turn the engine off and wait a couple of minutes for oil to settle.

Step 10 – Check Oil Level on Dipstick 📏

• 📍 Find the engine oil dipstick (yellow handle) under the hood.
• 🧽 Pull it out, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then pull it out again.
• 👀 Oil should be between the MIN and MAX marks, ideally near the top mark.
• ➕ If low, add oil in small amounts (about 0.25 qt / 0.25 L), recheck until it’s right.

Step 11 – Lower the Truck & Final Check 🧱

• 🏗️ Jack the truck slightly, remove jack stands, and lower it to the ground.
• 👀 Do one more leak check around the drain plug and filter.

Step 12 – Reset the Oil Life Monitor (2015 F-150) 📱

This uses the steering wheel buttons and the instrument cluster menu.

• 🔑 Turn the ignition to ON (engine can be off or running).
• 📂 Use the left steering wheel arrow buttons to open the main menu.
• ➡️ Navigate: Settings → Vehicle → Oil Life Reset (some clusters show Settings → Advanced Settings → Vehicle → Oil Life Reset).
• ✅ Select Oil Life Reset, then press and hold OK until it shows 100%.

Step 13 – Clean Up & Dispose of Oil Properly 🌍

• 🛢️ Pour the used oil from the drain pan into a sealed container (old oil jug works well).
• 🚮 Put the old filter in a plastic bag.
• ♻️ Take used oil and filter to a local recycling center or parts store that accepts waste oil. Never dump oil on the ground or in drains.

Tips & Tricks 💡

• 🧼 Keep a cardboard sheet under the truck to catch any small drips.
• 📝 Write the date and mileage on the new filter with a marker.
• ⏰ For your 5.0L, a common interval is around 5,000–7,500 miles depending on driving conditions and oil type.

If you tell me whether you’re on ramps or jack stands, I can give you a quick extra safety checklist for your exact setup. And if you want, I can also recommend specific oil and filter brands that work well for your F-150.

HowToo makes it easy: below this answer you’ll see recommended oil, filters, drain pans, funnels, and tools. You can add them to your cart right from the parts section for fast shipping. 🚚