🔧 Explorer - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil and filter keeps your A4’s engine lubricated, clean, and protected from wear. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct oil and reset the oil life monitor.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

Assumption: 3.5L NA uses 5W-20 and FL-500S-style filter.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧯 Work on a level surface and use jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🔥 Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 15-30 minutes.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses; used oil is a skin irritant.
• 🛞 Chock the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
• 🔋 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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Ratchet
• 8mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or strap type)
• Trim clip remover (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, full synthetic or synthetic blend; Ford spec WSS-M2C945-A/WSS-M2C946-A) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter (Motorcraft FL-500S equivalent) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket or replacement drain plug - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Let it cool 15-30 minutes so the oil drains well but won’t burn you.
• Gather your tools and set a drain pan under the front of your Explorer.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Explorer at the approved front jacking point.
• Set it down securely on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Shake the vehicle gently to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Position the drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Use an 8mm socket and ratchet to remove shield bolts (if present).
• Use a trim clip remover (specialty) or flathead screwdriver to pop out any plastic push-clips.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Locate the oil drain plug on the oil pan.
• Use a 15mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish unthreading by hand.
• Let the oil drain into the drain pan until it slows to a drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan sealing area using shop rags.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• If your plug uses a gasket/washer, replace it with the new one from your parts list.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) and 15mm socket to tighten: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove and replace the oil filter

• Move the drain pan
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a bad leak).
• Lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket with fresh oil (use a dab of new oil on a gloved finger).
• Install the new filter by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten 3/4 turn more by hand.
• Hand-tight is correct—don’t use the wrench to tighten.

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reposition the shield.
• Install fasteners using the 8mm socket, ratchet, and the clips with the trim clip remover (specialty) as needed.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
• Use a funnel and add about 5.5 quarts first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, then set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-45 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil in small amounts using the funnel until it reaches the full mark (total is typically around 5.7 quarts with filter).
• Wipe any spills with shop rags.

Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor

• Key on, engine off (press Start without brake, or turn key to ON).
• Use the steering wheel controls to navigate the instrument cluster menu: Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Select reset and press/hold OK until it confirms 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Take a short 5-10 minute drive, then re-check for leaks underneath.
• Re-check the dipstick level after the drive and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store that accepts used oil.
• Confirm the oil life reads 100% (or reset completed) on the cluster.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 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.