F-150 - Engine Oil & Filter Change 🛢️

Nice job taking this on yourself. I’ll walk you through it step by step, exactly for your 2016 F-150 5.0L.

What You’ll Need 🧰

• 🧰 Engine oil:
  • Viscosity (Ford spec): 5W-20 meeting Ford spec WSS-M2C945-A or later equivalent.
  • Capacity with filter: about 8.8 quarts (8.3 L).
• 🧰 Oil filter (Ford style):
  • Typical OEM: Motorcraft FL-500S (or equivalent that fits the 5.0L).
• 🧰 Socket set:
  • Drain plug: 15 mm socket (hex head drain plug on the oil pan).
  • 3/8" drive ratchet (the common small/medium size wrench for sockets).
• 🧰 Oil filter wrench:
  • Strap, cap, or band type that fits the FL-500S size filter. Oil filter wrench = tool that grips the filter so you can loosen it.
• 🧰 Drain pan (at least 10–12 qt capacity).
• 🧰 Funnel (medium size, clean).
• 🧰 Shop rags / paper towels.
• 🧰 Gloves (nitrile or mechanic gloves) and safety glasses.
• 🧰 Floor jack and jack stands (if you need more clearance):
  • Jack stands = solid supports that hold the truck safely once lifted.
• 🧰 New drain plug washer (if your plug uses a crush washer; many are reusable but it’s good practice to replace).

Key Torque Specs 🔧

• 🧰 Engine oil drain plug: 20–27 lb-ft (27–37 N·m) Snug plus a bit, not “gorilla tight”.
• 🧰 Oil filter: Hand-tight only: turn until gasket contacts, then about 3/4 turn more.

Safety First ⚠️

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface, parking brake on, transmission in PARK.
• ⚠️ If you lift the truck, always use jack stands under the frame, never rely on the jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot. Let the engine cool 10–20 minutes after driving so it’s warm but not burning hot.

Step 1 – Warm Up and Prepare 🔥

• 🛠️ Start the engine and let it idle for about 5 minutes, or drive a short distance. Warm oil drains faster and carries more contaminants out.
• 🛠️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, shift to PARK, and shut off the engine.
• 🛠️ Pop the hood and remove the oil fill cap on top of the engine (this helps oil drain easier).

Step 2 – Raise the Truck (If Needed) 🧱

• 🛠️ Your F-150 sits fairly high; many people can reach the drain plug and filter without lifting. If you need more room:
  • Place the floor jack under a solid front frame point.
  • Lift and then place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides.
  • Lower the truck gently onto the stands and give it a shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3 – Drain the Old Oil 🕳️

• 🛠️ Slide under the front of the truck. The oil pan is at the bottom of the engine, with a single drain plug at the rear of the pan.
• 🛠️ Position the drain pan under the drain plug, slightly toward the rear (oil will shoot out a bit at first).
• 🛠️ Use the 15 mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain plug. Finish removing it by hand, keeping pressure inward until the last threads so it doesn’t drop into the pan.
• 🛠️ Let the oil drain completely. This can take 5–10 minutes. Tip: Slightly tilt the drain pan as needed to avoid spills.
• 🛠️ Inspect the drain plug:
  • Check threads for damage.
  • Replace the washer if it’s crushed, cracked, or missing.

Step 4 – Remove the Old Oil Filter 🧴

• 🛠️ Locate the oil filter: on the 5.0L it’s mounted on the side of the engine block, accessible from underneath (toward the front passenger side area).
• 🛠️ Move the drain pan under the filter area; some oil will spill when you remove it.
• 🛠️ Use your oil filter wrench to loosen the filter by turning it counterclockwise.
• 🛠️ Once loose, spin it off by hand and keep it upright as much as possible to reduce spills. Dump the oil from the old filter into the drain pan.
• 🛠️ Wipe the filter mounting surface on the engine with a clean rag. Important: Make sure the old rubber gasket is not stuck to the engine. You should see bare metal and no old gasket.

Step 5 – Install the New Oil Filter 🆕

• 🛠️ Take the new filter out of the box.
• 🛠️ Put a little fresh engine oil on your finger and lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new filter. This helps it seal and makes removal easier next time.
• 🛠️ If the filter is mounted vertically, you can pour a small amount of fresh oil into it (not required, but reduces dry start). Don’t overfill or spill.
• 🛠️ Screw the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket just touches the mounting surface.
• 🛠️ Once the gasket contacts, tighten the filter by hand an additional 3/4 turn. Do not use the wrench to tighten it unless the manual specifically calls for it; hand-tight is correct.

Step 6 – Reinstall the Drain Plug 🔩

• 🛠️ Once the oil has slowed to a drip, clean around the drain hole with a rag.
• 🛠️ Install the drain plug with its washer by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• 🛠️ Tighten with the 15 mm socket and torque to about 20–27 lb-ft (27–37 N·m). If you don’t have a torque wrench: snug it firmly, then a small extra nudge. Do not over-tighten.

Step 7 – Add New Oil From the Top ⛽

• 🛠️ Up top, place the funnel in the oil fill opening.
• 🛠️ Pour in about 8 quarts of fresh 5W-20 oil to start (slightly under full capacity so we can top off accurately).
• 🛠️ Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 8 – Start the Engine & Check for Leaks 👀

• 🛠️ Start the engine and let it idle for about 30–60 seconds.
• 🛠️ While it’s running, look underneath:
  • Check around the drain plug for drips.
  • Check around the oil filter for leaks.
• 🛠️ If you see any leaks, shut off the engine and gently tighten the leaking part a bit more.
• 🛠️ Shut the engine off and wait about 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan.

Step 9 – Check the Oil Level (Dipstick) 📏

• 🛠️ Locate the engine oil dipstick (yellow handle) under the hood.
• 🛠️ Pull it out, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then pull it out again to read.
• 🛠️ The oil level should be between the MIN and MAX marks, ideally near the top mark.
• 🛠️ If it’s low, add oil in small amounts (about 1/4 quart at a time), recheck until it’s right at or just below MAX. Don’t overfill; too much oil is bad for the engine.

Step 10 – Reset the Oil Life Monitor (Instrument Cluster) 📱

Your 2016 F-150 uses the cluster menu to reset oil life. The exact wording can vary slightly, but this is the standard path:

• 🛠️ Turn the ignition to ON (engine can be off or running).
• 🛠️ Use the left steering wheel arrow buttons to navigate:
  • Go to Settings (gear icon).
  • Select Vehicle or Advanced Settings (depending on your cluster).
  • Select Oil Life Reset or Oil Life.
  • Press and hold OK until the oil life resets to 100%.

Step 11 – Clean Up & Dispose of Oil Properly 🌍

• 🛠️ Pour the used oil from the drain pan into a sealed container (old oil jugs work well).
• 🛠️ Place the old filter in a plastic bag to catch drips.
• 🛠️ Take used oil and filter to a local recycling center, auto parts store, or service station that accepts waste oil. Never dump oil on the ground or in drains.

Tips & Tricks 💡

• 💡 Keep a record of the mileage and date of the oil change; Ford typically recommends 5,000–7,500 miles depending on use and oil type.
• 💡 Wipe any spilled oil off the frame or skid plates so you don’t mistake it for a leak later.
• 💡 After your next drive, recheck under the truck and the dipstick once more.

If you tell me whether you have a torque wrench and jack stands, I can give you a couple of extra safety tips tailored to what you have. And below this answer, you’ll see recommended oil, filters, and tools you can add to your cart from HowToo for next time. 🛠️

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need!