A quick note on oil change of 2.5L Hybrid

[Poultrygeist]

I do not trust dealer's or shops to change the life blood of my engine so I do it myself. Too many bad experiences with loose drain plugs and filters that I barely caught in time. I had one shop that over tightened the drain plug stripping the threads and then added their own over sized plug. I didn't catch it until later and the shop denied they did it. Dealer's don't waste their best mechanic's time on oil change duties. Oil changes are left to the flunkies.

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[sprubs]

I do not trust dealer's or shops to change the life blood of my engine so I do it myself. Too many bad experiences with loose drain plugs and filters that I barely caught in time. I had one shop that over tightened the drain plug stripping the threads and then added their own over sized plug. I didn't catch it until later and the shop denied they did it. Dealer's don't waste their best mechanic's time on oil change duties. Oil changes are left to the flunkies.

agreed. this is definitely a concern. a good shop (dealer or independent) would be nice to have. I haven't found a great one yet.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I do not trust dealer's or shops to change the life blood of my engine so I do it myself. Too many bad experiences with loose drain plugs and filters that I barely caught in time. I had one shop that over tightened the drain plug stripping the threads and then added their own over sized plug. I didn't catch it until later and the shop denied they did it. Dealer's don't waste their best mechanic's time on oil change duties. Oil changes are left to the flunkies.

Thought you might like this.

 

[CD_SM]

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.

Basic synth oil change >$100 and full service $180 at my dealer. And they upsell /trick you into the full service *hard*

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Basic synth oil change >$100 and full service $180 at my dealer. And they upsell /trick you into the full service *hard*

Or do the repair under the covered warranty plan you have purchased.

 

[Grabber Rick]

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.

My dealership charged $130 for the works with full synthetic. I wish I could get that kind of deal.

 

[Cherokee]

King Ford
Motorcraft blend, Including a full service and tire rotation, brake inspection included for $39.95
Same thing with Full Synthetic,
$79.00
That’s what I do.
I’ve been letting Ford dealers here and Brandon Ford in Florida handle all my service needs since 2010 and never a problem.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

My dealership charged $130 for the works with full synthetic. I wish I could get that kind of deal.

My dealer had a buy 4 get one free oil change punch card plus has coupons from time to time $66.95 for works with blend oil or $99.95 for works with synthetic.. my punch card is punched out and when I get it back from body shop about 2/4/25 I will schedule oil change.

 

[Cherokee]

I agree on the oil filter never in my life have I had such trouble getting an oil filter off

Once long ago, eons past,
Had a filter that was stuck, bad.
The strap wrench, no go, the end socket, no go, I reamed it silly.

I punched a big screwdriver all the way through. Spun that mutha right off.

Then I really screwed the pooch.
I didn’t look to notice the old oil filters seal was still in place.

I finished the oil change. Started the engine, and like my daddy taught me I looked under the car to see oil coming out.
What a mess that was.

We live and we learn.

 

[riparian]

Once long ago, eons past,
Had a filter that was stuck, bad.
The strap wrench, no go, the end socket, no go, I reamed it silly.

I punched a big screwdriver all the way through. Spun that mutha right off.

Then I really screwed the pooch.
I didn’t look to notice the old oil filters seal was still in place.

I finished the oil change. Started the engine, and like my daddy taught me I looked under the car to see oil coming out.
What a mess that was.

We live and we learn.

I'd like to say I've never done that, but that would not be a true statement. Only did it once, of course, when I was young and just starting my journey of learning everything the hard way.

 

[Poultrygeist]

I spend little on my DIY oil changes. $7 at Amazon for the same Ford filter that dealers use plus $32 for 10 quarts of Kirklands synthetic at Costco on sale.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Once long ago, eons past,
Had a filter that was stuck, bad.
The strap wrench, no go, the end socket, no go, I reamed it silly.

I punched a big screwdriver all the way through. Spun that mutha right off.

Then I really screwed the pooch.
I didn’t look to notice the old oil filters seal was still in place.

I finished the oil change. Started the engine, and like my daddy taught me I looked under the car to see oil coming out.
What a mess that was.

We live and we learn.

So... Did Daddy get to hear about this oil change?

 

[Jbuys]

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.

When I worked at a Toyota Dealership years ago, I did some oil changes and the factory oil filters were on very tight, basically had to almost tear them off. We always joked that they must have Samson or the Hulk working at the factory putting the filters on.

 

[Timothyd]

Once long ago, eons past,
Had a filter that was stuck, bad.
The strap wrench, no go, the end socket, no go, I reamed it silly.

I punched a big screwdriver all the way through. Spun that mutha right off.

Then I really screwed the pooch.
I didn’t look to notice the old oil filters seal was still in place.

I finished the oil change. Started the engine, and like my daddy taught me I looked under the car to see oil coming out.
What a mess that was.

We live and we learn.

Yeah, I've used the screwdriver trick. For a hack, it works well in a pinch. Accidently put on a double seal too. The oil filter on my bike is recessed and didn't notice the quad ring was left behind. pulled over to check, found the leak and rode home. Too bad it didn't leak on the chain.

 

[skyshark]

When I worked at a Toyota Dealership years ago, I did some oil changes and the factory oil filters were on very tight, basically had to almost tear them off. We always joked that they must have Samson or the Hulk working at the factory putting the filters on.

I guess in the case of these trucks, it must be retired guys from 'Lucha Libre'.

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