🔧 F-150 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil and oil filter keeps your A4’s engine lubricated and helps it last longer. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct oil and verify the level.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the truck on jack stands on solid, level ground; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; oil and debris can irritate skin/eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills right away.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• Oil filter wrench (specialty)
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands under the frame.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the hood and loosen the oil fill cap

• Twist the oil fill cap off by hand (top of the engine), then set it back on loosely.
• This lets air in so the oil drains smoothly.

Step 2: Position the drain pan

• Slide a drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Put shop rags nearby for spills.

Step 3: Remove the drain plug and drain the oil

• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish unscrewing by hand while pushing inward slightly, then pull it away quickly to avoid a splash.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Clean the drain plug and install a new drain plug gasket if used on your plug.
• Thread the plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (3/8" drive) with a 13mm socket and Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the oil filter area.
• Use an oil filter wrench (specialty) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter (it can stick to the engine). Double-gasket causes big leaks.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean with shop rags.
• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a fingertip).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in Engine oil (5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic) - start with about 6.5 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter area.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.

Step 9: Verify oil level on the dipstick

• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then pull again to read.
• Add oil in small amounts using the funnel until it’s at the full mark (don’t overfill).

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts oil.
• Wipe any spilled oil from skid plates/frames with shop rags.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $55-$85 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.

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🎯 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.