PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal

vezpa · Oct 1, 2021

Updated with photos of skid plates that need removal for an oil change - posted by @thunaman (link to post)

Ok Gents, I have taken delivery of my FX4 Maverick today, I can confirm you will need to remove a panel that runs the full width of the truck, and about 6-8” “deep” from the bumper to the main skid plate. The rest of the skid plate is a single piece that covers the rest of the engine bay -- see photos below.

As you can see there is a large panel on the front you need to remove to get to the filter. and a small plastic air scoop (transmission cooling?) in the middle you need to remove to get to the drain plug

All in it took me about 10 min to remove, take pix and replace.

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal 1ed0ec44-601f-4cc4-8d24-69bcdeb720bc-jpe

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal b12e2e1e-e4b7-410c-a633-a4af4f0985c0-jpe

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal b3fed727-7005-4d61-9796-e40030ba74ff-jpe

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal 986ef501-37bd-4d25-83f1-94acabaf8d5b-jpe

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal 2882d61a-ca87-4d82-be43-d14dba2a5cb2-jpe

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal 082a1781-cb7d-4833-b1e0-b40e5408839d-jpe

Original post:

I like to do my own oil changes when I can. Now that I see the FX4 skid plate under the front/engine, how much of a PITA is it going to be to get at the drain plug and filter? Surely FORD would think to add an access panel, but I don't see one in the pics I've viewed. I even cut a hole in the plastic skid plate on my Mazda for quick oil filter access. I only see one skid-plate with the FX4.

Thoughts?

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal fx4

Jasperw229 · Oct 1, 2021

Some vehicles require the plate to be fully removed I've heard, and with this being a cheap vehicle that's kinda my expectation :/.
I'm just hoping that they did something to make it easier on their technicians and us.

slashy42 · Oct 1, 2021

As someone who likes to do their own vehicle maintenance I'd like to know this as well. The pictures and videos we've seen of the underside aren't very promising.

Portcqb · Oct 1, 2021

You would likely drop the shield every time just did 21 Escape 1.5l last weekend had to remove 15 7mm bolts to drop the shield. The 15 Escape 2.0l also had shield to unbolt and remove. I know Rangers you have to remove a cross piece or dump oil on it and remove inner fender to get filter off.

Lone Star Proud · Oct 1, 2021

Portcqb said:
You would likely drop the shield every time just did 21 Escape 1.5l last weekend had to remove 15 7mm bolts to drop the shield. The 15 Escape 2.0l also had shield to unbolt and remove. I know Rangers you have to remove a cross piece or dump oil on it and remove inner fender to get filter off.

How do the oil change places react to that?

Portcqb · Oct 1, 2021

Lone Star Proud said:
How do the oil change places react to that?

I assume most of the bolts don't make it back considering even my dealer didn't put them all back in my 15 escape back when they did them free. It's not terrible with battery ratchet or driver to zip them out and back in but a door would have been nice.

Whitenight · Oct 1, 2021

Lone Star Proud said:
How do the oil change places react to that?

Valvoline Instant Oil Change charges $5.00 extra to remove and then replace the skid plate.

JASmith · Oct 1, 2021

Even on the base model you have to remove a ton of bolts to remove the plastic wind deflector. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the oil filter were accessible from under the hood, but its not. Perhaps someone will make an oil filter relocation kit. Then you can use a simple $50 oil vacuum pump to extract the oil and never have to use a lift or mess with all those bolts.

Subaru makes oil changes a snap as seen below, shame Ford completely overlooks this, or perhaps does it on purpose like BMW does to ensure people bring it to a shop to do it:

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal 2013-Subaru-XV-Crosstrek-Limited-engine-02

vezpa · Oct 2, 2021

JASmith said:
Even on the base model you have to remove a ton of bolts to remove the plastic wind deflector. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the oil filter were accessible from under the hood, but its not. Perhaps someone will make an oil filter relocation kit. Then you can use a simple $50 oil vacuum pump to extract the oil and never have to use a lift or mess with all those bolts.

Subaru makes oil changes a snap as seen below, shame Ford completely overlooks this, or perhaps does it on purpose like BMW does to ensure people bring it to a shop to do it:

If there really is a plastic shield under my Maverick XL I will use a dremel to cut access to filter or drainplug just like I did with my Mazda.

MaximilianPaul · Oct 5, 2021

I'm quite unfamiliar with the underside of a vehicle, but does this not show an access panel? Screenshot at 8:10 of

Ford Maverick PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal Screenshot_20211005-202849_Samsung Internet

Jasperw229 · Oct 5, 2021

That's exactly what it looks like to me as well in that photo, but like you, I have very little experience underneath vehicles

clippedwings · Oct 5, 2021

I have asked new owners about filter access. Got no responses. My Transit Connect has a huge lower shield and you can’t get to the filter without being on a lift or purchasing ramps. I used to change my own oil. This vehicle stopped me cold. It’s no fun spending 3 hours at a dealership just to get an oil change - not to mention the cost. With the GDI engines I consider frequent oil changes to be necessary to minimize carbon buildup. If my Lariat puts me in the same situation I think I’m going to have to cut an access panel, much as it pains me to do so.

Lyle · Oct 5, 2021

clippedwings said:
I have asked new owners about filter access. Got no responses. My Transit Connect has a huge lower shield and you can’t get to the filter without being on a lift or purchasing ramps. I used to change my own oil. This vehicle stopped me cold. It’s no fun spending 3 hours at a dealership just to get an oil change - not to mention the cost. With the GDI engines I consider frequent oil changes to be necessary to minimize carbon buildup. If my Lariat puts me in the same situation I think I’m going to have to cut an access panel, much as it pains me to do so.

Lyle · Oct 5, 2021

For me because I plan on not going “off road” and getting the package for the wheels and the larger screen I will have the skid plate removed if it provides no access and causes a problem.

Fx4hOok · Oct 5, 2021

JASmith said:
Even on the base model you have to remove a ton of bolts to remove the plastic wind deflector. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the oil filter were accessible from under the hood, but its not. Perhaps someone will make an oil filter relocation kit. Then you can use a simple $50 oil vacuum pump to extract the oil and never have to use a lift or mess with all those bolts.

Subaru makes oil changes a snap as seen below, shame Ford completely overlooks this, or perhaps does it on purpose like BMW does to ensure people bring it to a shop to do it:

Oil filter up there is probably why subarus get blown headgasket all the time. lol

PSA: oil change on FX4 Maverick requires skid plate panels removal

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