🔧 F-150 - Engine Oil and Filter Change

This is a very manageable first DIY service. Drain the warm oil, replace the filter, refill with 6.0 qt (5.7 L) of SAE 5W-30, then verify the dipstick level and reset the oil-life monitor. Ford specifies oil meeting WSS-M2C946-B1 for this model year. media.ford.com)

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground. Never crawl under a truck supported only by a jack.
• 🧤 Let the engine cool for about 15 minutes. Warm oil drains well, but hot oil burns.
• 🛑 Shift into Park, apply the parking brake, and chock both rear wheels.
• 🔑 Keep the key away from the truck so nobody accidentally starts it.
• 🔋 Battery disconnection is not required.
• ♻️ Collect every drop and take the used oil and filter to an approved recycling facility.

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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
• 8mm socket
• 1/4-inch-drive ratchet
• Oil-filter strap wrench sized 3 to 4 inches
• Drain pan rated 10-quart minimum
• 6-quart graduated oil jug
• Long-neck oil funnel
• Trim-clip removal tool
• LED work light
• Nitrile mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 5W-30 full-synthetic engine oil meeting Ford WSS-M2C946-B1 - Qty: 6 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter matched to the 3.5L EcoBoost - Qty: 1
• Plastic oil-pan drain plug with sealing O-ring - Qty: 1 recommended

The correct oil-change aisle is open in the parts sidebar. Ignore the catch cans and oil coolers shown there. Those aren't routine oil-change parts. Nobody needs a race-car oil tank for a Saturday service.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚙 Park your F-150 on level pavement and run the engine for three to five minutes.
• 🛑 Switch the engine off, apply the parking brake, and chock both rear wheels.
• 📖 Open the hood and loosen the oil-filler cap. Leave it sitting over the opening to keep debris out.
• ⬆️ If you need more room, lift the front at a designated frame lifting point and place both front frame rails securely on jack stands.
• 🛡️ Push the truck firmly from the side before going underneath. Any movement means you must reposition the stands.
• 📌 This procedure assumes the original composite oil pan and quarter-turn plastic drain plug remain installed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the service access area

• Put on the safety glasses and nitrile mechanic gloves.
• Use the LED work light to locate the lower access panel beneath the engine.
• Use the 8mm socket and 1/4-inch-drive ratchet to remove any screws blocking access to the drain plug or oil filter.
• Use the trim-clip removal tool for any push-pin retainers. Lift the center pin first, then remove the complete clip.

Step 2: Position the drain pan

• Slide the 10-quart drain pan below the oil-pan drain plug.
• Place the pan slightly rearward of the plug because the oil initially exits with some force.
• Keep shop towels nearby. The wide Ford oil stream has a talent for finding clean concrete.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Turn the factory plastic drain plug counterclockwise by hand about one-quarter turn.
• Pull the plug straight out while keeping your hand above the oil stream.
• Allow the oil to drain for at least 10 minutes, until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the plug and O-ring. Replace the plug if either is cut, flattened, swollen, or damaged.
• Do not use pliers on the plastic plug.

Step 4: Replace the drain plug

• Wipe the drain opening with a shop towel. Do not push dirt into the oil pan.
• Insert the plastic drain plug by hand and turn it clockwise until it reaches its locked stop.
• Do not apply a conventional bolt torque to the factory quarter-turn plastic plug.
• Gently tug the installed plug to confirm it is fully seated and locked.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Reposition the 10-quart drain pan beneath the oil filter.
• Turn the filter counterclockwise by hand. If it is stuck, loosen it with the 3-to-4-inch oil-filter strap wrench.
• Once loose, remove the filter by hand and keep its open end upright.
• Check the engine sealing surface and confirm the old rubber filter gasket came off with the filter.
• Two filter gaskets cause a major leak.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Pour a small amount of fresh SAE 5W-30 engine oil onto a clean fingertip.
• Coat the new filter's rubber sealing gasket with a thin film of oil.
• Thread the filter clockwise by hand until its gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten it approximately three-quarters of a turn beyond gasket contact, or follow the turn specification printed on the filter.
• Do not tighten the new filter with the strap wrench.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower panel

• Wipe spilled oil from the oil pan, filter area, chassis, and lower panel with shop towels.
• Reinstall the panel and push clips using the trim-clip removal tool by hand.
• Install its screws with the 8mm socket and 1/4-inch-drive ratchet.
• Tighten the small panel screws only until snug. Do not crush the panel or strip its retainers.

Step 8: Lower the truck

• Remove all tools and the drain pan from beneath your F-150.
• Use the 3-ton floor jack to lift the frame slightly.
• Remove both 3-ton jack stands, then lower the truck slowly and completely.

Step 9: Add fresh engine oil

• Remove the oil-filler cap and install the long-neck oil funnel.
• Measure and add approximately 5.5 qt (5.2 L) of SAE 5W-30 using the graduated oil jug.
• Wait two minutes, then remove, wipe, reinsert, and remove the dipstick.
• Add oil gradually until the level approaches the upper mark. The total refill with filter is 6.0 qt (5.7 L). media.ford.com)
• Do not automatically pour extra oil after all six quarts are added.
• Remove the funnel and turn the filler cap clockwise until firmly seated.

Step 10: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and confirm the oil-pressure warning light switches off within a few seconds.
• Switch the engine off immediately if the warning light remains illuminated.
• Let the engine idle for about 30 seconds while inspecting underneath with the LED work light.
• Check the filter and drain plug areas for active dripping.
• Switch the engine off and wait 10 to 15 minutes on level ground.

Step 11: Set the final oil level

• Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, and remove it again.
• The oil should sit within the marked operating range, preferably close to the upper mark without exceeding it.
• Add small amounts through the long-neck oil funnel only if needed.
• Reinstall the dipstick and oil-filler cap fully.

Step 12: Reset the oil-life monitor

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel arrow and OK controls to select Settings > Convenience > Oil Life Reset.
• Select Hold OK to Reset and hold OK until Reset Successful appears.
• Confirm that the oil-life display reads 100%. fordservicecontent.com

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive for five to ten minutes, then park on level ground and inspect underneath again.
• 🔍 Recheck the dipstick after waiting about 15 minutes.
• 🧽 Clean any residue so a future leak is easy to identify.
• ♻️ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter.
• 📝 Record the date and odometer reading for your maintenance history.
• ⚠️ If oil drips from the filter, shut the engine off and check for a doubled gasket or loose filter.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$180 equivalent, depending on local oil and labor pricing

DIY Cost: $45-$85 equivalent for quality oil, filter, and drain plug

You Save: $45-$95 by doing it yourself!

Labor rates vary widely by region. This service normally takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hour.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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