Changing your own oil - 2.5L hybrid

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Just did my first oil change at 3000 miles. Autozone charged me just under $50 for 6 quarts of Valvoline full synthetic 0W-20, including a free extended life oil filter and my military discount. What's the going rate at the dealer these days?

I will say that the plastic panel under the engine seems stupidly designed. There is an access hole for the drain plug, but it's not lined up right to allow the oil to drain straight down without making a mess. There is no access to the filter at all without removing the entire panel under the engine, about a dozen screws. Not a big deal, but more work than it should be and I see a high potential for losing or stripping these screws out in the future. Am I missing something here? Was this panel designed with only the ecoboost in mind or something?

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[Mav_RICK]

It’s under the hybrid engine as well. Many here seem to think it’s useful for protection but I’m thinking it might be more trouble than it’s worth.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

It’s under the hybrid engine as well. Many here seem to think it’s useful for protection but I’m thinking it might be more trouble than it’s worth.

I'm talking about the hybrid. I assume it helps with aerodynamics and improves fuel economy a little bit and maybe protects the engine and eCVT somewhat.

My issue is not that it's there, but why make the filter impossible to change without removing the whole damn thing?

 

[Mav_RICK]

I'm talking about the hybrid. I assume it helps with aerodynamics and improves fuel economy a little bit and maybe protects the engine and eCVT somewhat.

My issue is not that it's there, but why make the filter impossible to change without removing the whole damn thing?

Why ask why? Jk I don’t know why Ford does a lot of things but everyone has to drop the plate to change oil as far as I know.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Why ask why? Jk I don’t know why Ford does a lot of things but everyone has to drop the plate to change oil as far as I know.

Because I'm an engineer and it's my job to question things that don't make sense. Especially since the rest of the vehicle seems very well designed.

I also have a maintenance background and really hate it when engineers design things that aren't maintenance friendly.

 

[icegradner]

The cover is just there for airo benefits, and Ford doesn't want people doing oil changes themselves, so they don't go out of their way to design it in a way to make it easy.

 

[OrCoaster]

...really hate it when engineers design things that aren't maintenance-friendly.

You sir are an anomaly, engineers make tons of money so they don't have to do it themselves. They just take it to the Mini lube and let some low-tech tear up the truck.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

You sir are an anomaly, engineers make tons of money so they don't have to do it themselves. They just take it to the Mini lube and let some low-tech tear up the truck.

"engineers make tons of money" hahaha, thanks for the laugh!

Most engineers I know are cheap as can be and refuse to pay anyone to do something they could do themselves out of principle. For me it's more a matter of time than money though. Any time I've taken a vehicle to the dealer it takes them a minimum of an hour and a half to do a simple oil change and their "free 100 point inspection" so they can upcharge you for things like cabin air filters. Add to that another hour driving to the dealership and back. The last time I went to one of those 5 min oil change places the line was out into the street and the two times before that they didn't have the filter I needed - for a Camry, most common car on the road!

Nope, I'd rather spend 15 minutes doing it myself and making sure it's done right. Well, 30 minutes because of the stupid panel!

 

[KSC Grey Ghost]

I change my own oil also have done it 3 time like you said a pain in the . With removing the shield If you want to save about 12 dollars go to Walmart and get your oil and filter Valvoline, Castrol, Mobil full Syn all about the same price and 8 to 10 dollars for a 15000 to 20000 mile filter . First time cost me a little more as I bought 10 quarts and take one quart out of it along with the 5 I buy to make 6 quarts .
Next time I change my oil I'm going to cut a hole in the bottom pan. so I can change the oil and filter with out taking it off . Going to put hinges and a small latch to secure the piece back in . Hey Ford are you listening I'm sure you could do this also and look alot better then mine will look but you won't hell my pan is so butchered from the dealership and falling apart and you won't replace it . I love my Maverick But Fixed Or Repaired Daily with all these recall repairs are crazy Also Ford wears your second recall repair for the fire problem you said it would be out in October of 23 well if you're not looking at your calendar it's October of 23 late October of 23 just thought I'd let you know Ford

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Yah I know I should just butcher the panel and cut holes in it myself, but I just can't bring myself to do that to a brand new truck. Maybe once it hits 100k miles. Not like it doesn't have plenty of holes in it already!

 

[Ranch]

How much time out of your life does it take to remove the cover?

If you're going to do your own oil change to ensure it's done correctly then a few extra minutes shouldn't matter much.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

How much time out of your life does it take to remove the cover?

If you're going to do your own oil change to ensure it's done correctly then a few extra minutes shouldn't matter much.

You're missing the point. Ford puts a bunch of holes in the panel already, but not where they are needed to do the most common and basic maintenance needed. Why?

And for those who go to the dealership or Jiffy Lube for oil changes, tell me the high school dropout changing your oil is going to take the time to replace those panel screws when he drops a few of them down into the pit - yeah right! Over time you're going to have a nice air dam underneath.

 

[TheGoodEgg]

https://knowhow.napaonline.com/plastic-undercarriage-cover-why-does-my-vehicle-have-one/#:~:text=These trays are installed on,brakes and transmissions, for example.

FWIW, I think the undercarriage cover (aka skid pad) is useful despite the fact that you will spend 5-8 extra minutes each time to unscrew and screw the pad on and off during an oil change. The production cost of such plastic cover is probably about $50-$100. For a truck in the low $20k range, the profit margin is going to be much thinner than a full-size truck like an F150. So logically speaking, you can imagine Ford would be more than happy to not install this cover unless there is a good reason. The fact they removed the engine cover under the hood is an indication that they are trying to cut unnecessary costs.

Maybe you can design a solution to make the cover easier to remove or bypass.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

https://knowhow.napaonline.com/plastic-undercarriage-cover-why-does-my-vehicle-have-one/#:~:text=These trays are installed on,brakes and transmissions, for example.

FWIW, I think the undercarriage cover (aka skid pad) is useful despite the fact that you will spend 5-8 extra minutes each time to unscrew and screw the pad on and off during an oil change. The production cost of such plastic cover is probably about $50-$100. For a truck in the low $20k range, the profit margin is going to be much thinner than a full-size truck like an F150. So logically speaking, you can imagine Ford would be more than happy to not install this cover unless there is a good reason. The fact they removed the engine cover under the hood is an indication that they are trying to cut unnecessary costs.

Maybe you can design a solution to make the cover easier to remove or bypass.

Sigh, again I realize WHY the cover is there. No need to debate that or try to educate me with links. My solution would be to notch out the already existing, yet misplaced, hole for the drain plug and use a 4" hole saw for oil filter access. Some day I'll probably lose or strip out a couple of screws and get irritated enough to do just that, but I'm not there yet.

Funny how you all are fixated on the second part of my original post, yet no one has bothered to answer the first question. How much does paying for an oil change on the hybrid typically cost? I don't think I'm saving much money doing it myself, but my time is money also.

 

[GPSMan]

Sigh, again I realize WHY the cover is there. No need to debate that or try to educate me with links. My solution would be to notch out the already existing, yet misplaced, hole for the drain plug and use a 4" hole saw for oil filter access. Some day I'll probably lose or strip out a couple of screws and get irritated enough to do just that, but I'm not there yet.

Funny how you all are fixated on the second part of my original post, yet no one has bothered to answer the first question. How much does paying for an oil change on the hybrid typically cost? I don't think I'm saving much money doing it myself, but my time is money also.

Full synthetic oil plus filter at the dealer:
$55.47

Labor: $59.95

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