Lazy man’s oil change…

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

2020-MAX-Limited

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 21, 2020
Posts
114
Reaction score
55
Location
Colorado USA
The oil filter on my '15 EcoBoost is incredibly hard to access. I have the 4x4 with HD Towing, and the metal skid plate leaves no room to remove the filter in the gap even after the very difficult access just to loosen it. Next time, I'm going to attempt to remove the skid plate entirely before trying to remove the filter. The first (and only) time so far, I had to loosen the bolts on the skid plate just to be able to slip the filter out between the front of the skid plate and whatever suspension component (anti-sway bar?) is in front of it. It was the worst experience ever in my 50 years of DIY oil changes! Horrible design.
 

2020-MAX-Limited

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 21, 2020
Posts
114
Reaction score
55
Location
Colorado USA
I have an eco boost and believe I’m changing the oil ever 5k miles. I use good synthetic, and have an oil extractor. I’m thinking I could let the oil filter go 10k miles and swap the oil every 5k miles. Oil is easy to swap, the oil filter, not so much. Thoughts?
If you're changing oil every 5K miles, you don't need full synthetic oil. Just go with the Motorcraft Blend that Ford recommends.

Screen Shot 2021-06-03 at 6.29.07 AM.png
 

jeff kushner

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Posts
2,332
Reaction score
1,275
Location
North of Annapolis
The oil filter is by far your weakest link. Leaving it in is a grave mistake, especially on a Turbo or supercharged engine where blowby is larger part of the equation. These filters are 1/2 size of the old PH-2 filter used on the 5.4's. They have very little holding capacity for dirt and will go into bypass mode without you ever knowing it, leaving that swill to circulate in your expensive engine. A recipe for disaster!


I build very high performance engines as a hobby and I have seen what happens in a lot of oil related failures.............take your Mobile 1 & filter to the local Grease & Go and give them 35 bucks to change it for you like I do if you are whining......it's worth it and it won't cause you any stress!

Yes, I use Mobil 1 0-40 in my supercharged car and my Expy. The only reason I don't use it in my turbo-bike is that it makes the clutch plates slip! I don't use Mobile 1 because I have to, I do it because I want to.


Do what you want guys but overlook that filter at your own peril.....Taco has the right idea, make it easier to service so you WILL service it!

FWIW; 2017 bought new 11/16- 140,000 miles this week, no failures of any kind, runs perfectly and has never seen a dealer or thrown a code..........the only thing that has ever broke is the center console hinge spring!
 
OP
OP
T

tacoduck

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2022
Posts
91
Reaction score
20
Location
NC
I really miss my cartridge filters in my old BMW’s. I could change the oil in my Sunday clothes. Hate running a truck up on ramps, removing skid plates, spilling oil etc etc.
 

adamsdaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 13, 2017
Posts
178
Reaction score
79
Location
Orange County
Is the filter that hard to get to?
Yes. The felt skid plate has to be removed, front plastic cover has to be partially removed and then you have to reach up in between assorted bars. Even though I've been changing the oil and filter (every 5,000 or whenever the computer tells me) myself for the last 4 years, removing and reinstalling the filter sucks. The end cap filter removal tool from HF works perfect compared to the various straps and other useless tools I tried.
 

Bunky

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Posts
20
Reaction score
14
Location
roy utah
Using your own description, you're a lazy dude. Saving $10 on a filter and risking a $10K engine replacement. Lazy is the least offensive word to describe you. But you do have free will. Go for it.
 

Old Guy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Posts
60
Reaction score
18
Location
Central Florida
I am 75 yrs old, and a retired engineer. One thing I learned in life is: anytime you take a shortcut to save time or money is going to come back later and bite you in the ass. The engineers at Ford, and oil/filters company say to change stuff for preventative maintenance are for reasons that non-engineers do not understand. Is saving time and a $10 filter worth possibly screwing up a $10K engine?
On my Gen 2 expy, the filter is much more accessible if you remove 2 screws and the plastic "heat cover" in front of the filter. As said above, I am 75 and I do my own oil changes.
Want to find an easier way? Go to a "oil quick change" or Dealer and buy the oil change guy a hamburger or 2, and let him tell you how they do it. Remember they have to do this fast....
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
53,391
Posts
500,598
Members
46,798
Latest member
geovanni
Top