A quick note on oil change of 2.5L Hybrid

[skyshark]

My truck told me it was time to change the oil. I don't drive much. I've got ~3500 miles on it and it'll be a year old pretty soon. Anyway, it was actually earlier than I was expecting the truck to want new oil but OK by me as the break-in should be pretty much done. I ran through a couple of videos on the oil change. Nothing was too surprising.

-It did suck to have to take off that big fiber thing under the engine but I generally understand why it's there. It didn't exactly kill me. It added 15 minutes in removal and replacement.

-I replaced the drain plug with this Votex system I got from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092KPTZCD). I used the other kind in the past with the little open/close handle but it sticks out a long ways (risk of getting knocked off) and there was mention about some kind of extension, too much trouble for me.

-Then I got to the fun part. The filter that got installed at factory was put on with a dry seal and tightened to within a millimeter of its life. I started with my little rubber strap wrench. It laughed at me. I got out a fram puller I had and it managed to tear a hole in the side of the filter but not turn the threads. I took a trip to Walmart and got one of these little Hyper Tough Adjustable Filter Wrenches of the appropriate size. Game over, I took the filter off.

-For a replacement, I went with the FL400S. I was able to replace all six quarts of oil and it brought me right to the full mark peak, happy happy.

-The rest went fine. I filled it with six quarts of full synthetic, started it it for a bit, checked for leaks, and put everything back together. I did most of my cleanup before I got hungry and quit, plus it was time for my dogs to walk.

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[Bil13h]

I would imagine this was mainly based on duration since previous.

The manual states that no matter the mileage, do not exceed 12 months between changes.

 

[Meeka]

My truck told me it was time to change the oil. I don't drive much. I've got ~3500 miles on it and it'll be a year old pretty soon. Anyway, it was actually earlier than I was expecting the truck to want new oil but OK by me as the break-in should be pretty much done. I ran through a couple of videos on the oil change. Nothing was too surprising.

-It did suck to have to take off that big fiber thing under the engine but I generally understand why it's there. It didn't exactly kill me. It added 15 minutes in removal and replacement.

-I replaced the drain plug with this Votex system I got from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092KPTZCD). I used the other kind in the past with the little open/close handle but it sticks out a long ways (risk of getting knocked off) and there was mention about some kind of extension, too much trouble for me.

-Then I got to the fun part. The filter that got installed at factory was put on with a dry seal and tightened to within a millimeter of its life. I started with my little rubber strap wrench. It laughed at me. I got out a fram puller I had and it managed to tear a hole in the side of the filter but not turn the threads. I took a trip to Walmart and got one of these little Hyper Tough Adjustable Filter Wrenches of the appropriate size. Game over, I took the filter off.

-For a replacement, I went with the FL400S. I was able to replace all six quarts of oil and it brought me right to the full mark peak, happy happy.

-The rest went fine. I filled it with six quarts of full synthetic, started it it for a bit, checked for leaks, and put everything back together. I did most of my cleanup before I got hungry and quit, plus it was time for my dogs to walk.

Can you come and do mine? 🥹

 

[Waterick]

I also found the factory installed oil filter very tight. I was lucky the strap wrench was the third one I tried and it worked; a matter of leverage and grip.

 

[skyshark]

Can you come and do mine? 🥹

I'm gonna' have to pass on the 3000 mile trip to Canada in February. I live in South Florida brother. It was 76 and sunny here today. On the upside, by the time I went and came back, I could probably change my oil again. Whee...

 

[SP1966]

Changed my oil today and I wasn't sure I would ever get the filter off. The body of the filter deformed in the process. Ridiculous!

 

[skyshark]

I also found the factory installed oil filter very tight. I was lucky the strap wrench was the third one I tried and it worked; a matter of leverage and grip.

Good on you. I absolutely couldn't get it until I upgraded to that little Hyper Tough puller. It cranked right down on spun it. I'll take a bit of the blame as the truck was not warmed before the attempt. Sometimes heat is your friend in these cases.

 

[Meeka]

I'm gonna' have to pass on the 3000 mile trip to Canada in February. I live in South Florida brother. It was 76 and sunny here today. On the upside, by the time I went and came back, I could probably change my oil again. Whee...

Can’t blame a guy for trying. 76’, I’m envious! -10 C here.

 

[mktmgrjrm]

I think the change interval is based on time rather than mileage, at least for the first one. My 2023 Mav told me it was due for an oil change one year to the day, and my 2024 Escape just did the same thing. Neither vehicle was at 7500 miles when the notification happened. And I avoided the oil filter removal problem by having the dealer do the change! Besides which I'm 75+ years old and well off enough to let someone else crawl under there!

 

[Dechion]

Hearing about the factory filter being a pain to get off makes me kinda glad I used my Ford points for my first 2 oil changes.

I'll be buying one of the hyper tough filter wrenches before the next one, thanks for the heads up on that one working well.

 

[sprubs]

I suspect the change oil indicator is based on miles and time. Time is actually not an important factor on it's own but it is likely if you don't hit a lot of miles in a year that you did a lot of short cycling of the engine which is harder on the oil. In other words, it's probably a good idea to do it once a year unless you have done very specific driving conditions that are easy on the oil.

 

[Cherokee]

A full service with Motorcraft Full Synthetic oil is $79 at my Ford dealer.
It will most likely happen two or three times a year. My fifth service is free.
So, that works out to $63 each time.
It takes less than an hour. I walk around the lot and look at window stickers. It drives the salespeople crazy.
Or I’ll get a cup of free coffee.
No mess,
Hands stay clean,
No oil to dispose of.
They rotate the tires and check all kinds of things and fluids.

I used to change my oil but not anymore. I consider it a convenience fee.
Worth every penny.
Just sayin.

Oh I should say this,
After you go out and buy the five or six quarts of full syn, or a jug, and a filter.
Your saving what,,, $15 or $20
So you can crawl under your car and all that. Then taking the used oil to a mechanic’s shop to dump it. That can be a PIA
No thanks, my time is worth far more than the $20
And the time and fuel to go get the stuff,
And the time and the fuel to get rid of the old oil.

Come to think of it you save exactly nothing.

 

[d7602002]

A full service with Motorcraft Full Synthetic oil is $79 at my Ford dealer.
It will most likely happen two or three times a year. My fifth service is free.
So, that works out to $63 each time.
It takes less than an hour. I walk around the lot and look at window stickers. It drives the salespeople crazy.
Or I’ll get a cup of free coffee.
No mess,
Hands stay clean,
No oil to dispose of.
They rotate the tires and check all kinds of things and fluids.

I used to change my oil but not anymore. I consider it a convenience fee.
Worth every penny.
Just sayin.

I feel the same way. Oil change, tire rotation, they inspect the tread of the tires, inspect the brakes, do a 27 point inspection like cabin filter and junk line that. They fill all the fluids if any are low even the washer fluid. They used to wash the car and vacuum it but they don't do that any longer. I just figure it's easier to bring it in and let someone else do it. Plus I figure if they do it and screw something up then they can pay for it to fix it. I do and screw it up I'm screwed.

 

[OT18]

I have a lift, so oil changes are easy. I also added a drain valve, just had to enlarge the opening near the drain a little for access. I used a 4" hole saw to cut an opening for filter access. I start removing the filter with a filter wrench then use a red solo cup to grab onto the filter. the cup catches any oil so no mess. Never have to remove the panel again.

 

[bobbyd454]

Can you come and do mine? 🥹

Just a day drive at best.

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