🔧 Transit Connect - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your engine lubricated, reduces wear, and helps prevent sludge and timing-related wear from dirty oil.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-90 minutes

Assumption: Your Transit Connect uses a spin-on oil filter and 5W-20 oil; capacity listed below is best-fit for the 2.5L.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the van with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil and exhaust parts can be very hot; let the engine cool 15–30 minutes.
• ⚠️ Keep the transmission in Park and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Use wheel chocks so the van cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Do not get under the van with only a floor jack holding it.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–80 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or strap type)
• 7mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Shop rags

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, meeting Ford spec) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off (warm oil drains faster, but don’t work with scorching-hot oil).
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap by hand (this helps the oil drain more smoothly).
• If your Transit Connect has a lower splash shield, you may need to remove it to access the drain plug and filter.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the van

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the van at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the van onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair) at the approved support points.
• Give the van a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Position your drain pan (at least 8-quart) nearby.
• Use a 7mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the small screws/fasteners.
• If there are plastic push-clips, remove them with a trim clip removal tool (a forked pry tool that lifts clips without breaking them).
• Set the shield and fasteners aside where they won’t get lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Slide the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 10–15 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan sealing surface using shop rags.
• If your drain plug uses a washer, replace it now.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (this helps prevent cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench (10–80 Nm range) with a 15mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Stop at torque—don’t “give it extra.”

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil filter area (oil will spill when the filter comes off).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) to break the filter loose, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a big leak).
• Wipe the engine’s filter mounting surface with shop rags.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger (nitrile gloves).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten the filter by hand an additional 3/4 turn (do not use the wrench to tighten unless the filter instructions specifically require it).
• Tip: Hand-tight prevents crushed gaskets.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and start all fasteners by hand.
• Use a 7mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to snug the screws.
• Reinstall any push-clips using the trim clip removal tool to align them, then press them in.

Step 8: Lower the van and refill with oil

• Carefully raise the van slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum), remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair), then lower it to the ground.
• Place a funnel in the oil fill opening and add about 5.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Wait 2 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed (typical total is about 5.7 quarts with filter).

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and set final level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look underneath with safety glasses for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then re-check the dipstick and top off to the full mark using the funnel.

Step 10: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the steering wheel controls to navigate the instrument cluster menu: Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Press and hold OK to reset to 100%.

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck for drips after your first short drive.
• Confirm the dipstick level is at the full mark (not above it).
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling drop-off location (most parts stores accept it).
• If the oil light comes on, shut the engine off immediately and recheck oil level and leaks.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.