🔧 Expedition - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Expedition with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 3.5L EcoBoost turbocharged engine, especially because turbochargers rely on good oil flow and clean lubrication.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands if lifting the vehicle. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from used oil.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and underbody panels. Wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store that accepts used oil.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 15mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench cap, 74mm 14-flute
• Drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil, SAE 5W-30 full synthetic - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket or sealing washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Expedition on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels if lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains better, but it should not be hot.
• 📖 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to a measured amount so they are not too loose or too tight.
• 🔧 An oil filter wrench cap fits over the oil filter like a socket so you can loosen and tighten it evenly.
• 📱 No infotainment menu setup is required before starting this repair.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum, at the front frame crossmember or approved front jacking point.
• Place jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum, under the approved front support points.
• Lower your Expedition gently onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Shield

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic push clips from the lower engine shield.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver if a clip center needs to be lifted before removal.
• Set the shield and clips aside in the order removed.
• A cardboard tray keeps clips from rolling away.

Step 3: Open the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood.
• Use your hand to loosen and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Set the cap in a clean place where dirt cannot stick to it.
• This helps the oil drain smoothly from the oil pan.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Place the drain pan, 8-quart minimum, under the oil drain plug.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Remove the plug by hand once loose, keeping pressure inward until the last thread releases.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the drain plug threads. Replace the oil drain plug gasket or sealing washer.
• Reinstall the drain plug by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Hand-start bolts to avoid thread damage.

Step 5: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan, 8-quart minimum, under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench cap, 74mm 14-flute with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand once loose.
• Keep the open end of the filter facing upward as much as possible to reduce spilling.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter.
• If the old gasket stuck to the engine, remove it by hand and wipe the mounting surface with shop towels.
• Two gaskets can cause a major leak.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a clean finger with a little new SAE 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil to lightly coat the new oil filter gasket.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the filter mount by hand.
• Tighten the filter by hand until the gasket contacts the base, then turn it another 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using the oil filter wrench cap, 74mm 14-flute, tighten gently only to snug. Do not crush the filter.
• Torque to 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs) if your replacement filter lists a torque spec and the filter design supports torquing.

Step 7: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.5 quarts of SAE 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Wait 2 minutes, then use the dipstick to check the oil level.
• Add oil in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total capacity with filter is approximately 6.0 quarts, but always final-check with the dipstick.
• Small top-offs prevent overfilling.

Step 8: Start and Leak Check

• Use your hand to confirm the oil fill cap is installed.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off.
• Use safety glasses and inspect under the engine with a light if available.
• Check around the drain plug and oil filter for leaks.
• If a leak is present, do not drive until corrected.

Step 9: Recheck Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes after shutting off the engine.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean with shop towels, fully reinsert it, then pull it again.
• Add more SAE 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil through the funnel if the level is below full.
• Do not fill above the full mark.

Step 10: Reinstall the Lower Engine Shield

• Raise the lower engine shield into position by hand.
• Use the trim clip removal tool or your fingers to reinstall the plastic push clips.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver only if needed to guide clip centers into place.
• Confirm the shield is secure and not hanging loose.

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum, to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Expedition slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 12: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Using the steering wheel controls, open the instrument cluster menu.
• Select Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
• Press and hold OK until the display confirms the oil life is reset to 100%.
• If your display layout differs, use Settings > Advanced Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Expedition for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and check for leaks again.
• ✅ Recheck the dipstick level after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Confirm the oil life monitor reads 100%.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and filter properly. Do not pour used oil into drains, soil, or trash.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $55-$95 (parts only)

You Save: $65-$125 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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