🔧 Flex - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, and refill with fresh oil. This keeps your Flex’s engine lubricated, reduces wear, and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Hot oil can burn you—let the engine cool 15-30 minutes before draining.
• 🛑 Support the vehicle on jack stands on a level surface—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• 🛑 Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts to avoid smoke/odor.
• 🛑 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
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• Oil drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or band type)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, full synthetic recommended, Ford spec WSS-M2C945-A / WSS-M2C946-A) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug gasket/washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1

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📋 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.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.
• Assumption: Your Flex uses the common 3.5L spin-on oil filter and ~6 quarts with filter; always verify the final level on the dipstick.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front of the vehicle

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Slide the oil drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5-10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug and sealing surface with shop rags.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Install a new drain plug gasket/washer if your plug uses one.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) with a 15mm socket: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Hand-starting the plug prevents expensive thread damage.

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or band type) 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).
• A stuck old gasket can cause a big leak.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean with shop rags.
• Put a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a gloved finger).
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten 3/4 turn by hand.
• Only use the oil filter wrench (cap or band type) for tightening if the filter manufacturer specifically allows it.
• Hand-tight is usually perfect for spin-on filters.

Step 6: Refill with fresh oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 5.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 first.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, then set the final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Check the dipstick, then top off as needed (usually ends up around ~6 quarts total).
• Use shop rags to wipe the dipstick clean between checks.

Step 8: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the steering-wheel controls to open: Menu > Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Select reset and hold OK until it confirms 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after a short 5-10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Look for fresh drips on the ground the next morning (filter/gasket issues usually show up quickly).
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling drop-off (many parts stores accept it).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$170 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $55-$100 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?

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