How to Change Engine Oil & Oil Filter on a 2018 Ford Expedition (5W-30)
Step-by-step DIY oil change with tools, parts list, drain plug torque spec, and oil life reset for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
How to Change Engine Oil & Oil Filter on a 2018 Ford Expedition (5W-30)
Step-by-step DIY oil change with tools, parts list, drain plug torque spec, and oil life reset for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
🔧 Expedition - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement
On your Expedition, an oil change means draining the old engine oil, replacing the spin-on oil filter, then refilling with the correct 5W-30 oil. Fresh oil protects the turbocharged 3.5L engine from wear and helps prevent sludge and timing system issues.
Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels.
- ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes; oil can burn you.
- ⚠️ Support the SUV with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
- ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and electrical connectors.
- ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.
🔧 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 (at least 10-quart)
- 13mm socket
- 3/8" drive ratchet
- 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
- Oil filter wrench (strap or cap-style)
- Funnel
- Shop rags
- Trim clip tool
- 8mm socket
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Engine oil (5W-30 full synthetic, Ford WSS-M2C946-A/WSS-M2C946-B1 equivalent) - Qty: 6 quarts
- Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
- Oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
- Chock the rear wheels.
- If your Expedition has a front splash shield/undertray, you may need to loosen/remove it for access.
- Warm the engine 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Raise and support the front
- Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
- Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front jacking point.
- Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the frame points and lower the SUV onto them.
Step 2: Remove/loosen the front splash shield (if equipped)
- Use an 8mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the small bolts.
- Use a trim clip tool to pop any plastic push-clips (a trim clip tool is a small pry tool made to remove plastic clips without breaking them).
- Move the shield aside to access the oil pan drain plug and oil filter.
Step 3: Drain the old engine oil
- Place the drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
- Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
- Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
- Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing surface with shop rags.
Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug
- Install a new oil drain plug gasket on the drain plug.
- Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
- Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench and 13mm socket to tighten: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
Step 5: Remove the old oil filter
- Move the drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the oil filter area; more oil will spill.
- Use an oil filter wrench (strap or cap-style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
- Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (if it sticks to the engine, remove it with shop rags).
Step 6: Install the new oil filter
- Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a finger (use nitrile gloves).
- Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine, then tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
- Wipe any spilled oil with shop rags.
Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)
- Reposition the shield.
- Use a trim clip tool to reinstall push-clips.
- Use an 8mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to reinstall bolts snugly.
Step 8: Refill with new oil
- Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
- Use a funnel and add 5.5 quarts of 5W-30 first.
- Reinstall the oil fill cap.
Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and set the final oil level
- Start the engine and let it idle 30–60 seconds.
- Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
- Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
- Check the dipstick, then add oil as needed to reach the full mark (typically ends up around 6.0 quarts total with filter).
Step 10: Reset the oil life monitor
- Key on (engine off).
- On the steering wheel controls, go to: Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset.
- Select reset and press/hold OK to confirm.
✅ After Repair
- Recheck under the SUV after a short drive for any seepage.
- Recheck the dipstick level after the drive and top off if needed.
- Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling facility or parts store.
💰 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 0.8-1.2 hours.
🎯 Ready to get started?
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