🔧 F-150 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

Changing the oil and filter keeps your A4—sorry, your F-150—engine lubricated, cooler, and protected from wear. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct amount of fresh oil and reset the oil life monitor.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat surface and let the engine cool 20–30 minutes to avoid burns from hot oil.
• ⚠️ Always support the truck with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts to prevent smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for an oil change.

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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, pair)
• Wheel chocks (pair)
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• 16mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Adjustable band-style oil filter wrench
• Funnel
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm oil drains faster: idle 2–3 minutes, then shut off and wait 20–30 minutes. Warm, not hot, is ideal.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front (if needed)

• If you need more room, use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the front crossmember.
• Set the truck down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair) placed at the frame rails.
• Give the truck a firm push to confirm it’s stable before you get underneath.

Step 2: Remove the oil fill cap and dipstick

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick up slightly (or remove it) to help the crankcase vent so the oil drains faster.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Position a drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 16mm 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 10–15 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug clean with shop towels and replace the oil drain plug gasket/washer if equipped.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range) to tighten the plug: Torque to 26 Nm (19 ft-lbs).
• Wipe any oil from the pan and surrounding area with shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an adjustable band-style oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (it can stick to the engine surface).
• A “double gasket” can cause a big leak.

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.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. (Do not use the wrench to tighten unless the filter instructions specifically require it.)

Step 7: Refill with fresh oil

• Place a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 7 quarts of SAE 5W-20.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand and fully seat the dipstick.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and set the 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 into the pan.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop towels, reinsert fully, then recheck the level.
• Top off as needed (add small amounts). Keep the oil level between the MIN and MAX marks.
• Look underneath for any leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.

Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor

• Method A (message center with steering wheel buttons): Key ON (engine OFF) > use steering wheel controls to go to Settings > Oil Life > press and hold OK to reset to 100%.
• Method B (if your cluster shows “Hold OK to Reset”): Navigate to the oil life screen, then press and hold OK until it resets.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick the next morning (cold engine) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (sealed container). Many auto parts stores accept used oil for recycling.
• If you see drips under the truck, recheck the filter gasket seating and drain plug torque.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$130 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.