2026 DARK HORSE 1ST OIL CHANGE QUESTION

[AHESQ]

THIS IS MY 1ST OIL CHANGE.

I AM TOLD THAT I NEED TO CHANGE THE CRUSH WASHER ON THE OIL DRAIN PLUG.

HOWEVER, WHEN I SEARCH FOR IT ONLINE, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A REGULAR WASHER MAY BE NEEDED, NOT A "CRUSH" WASHER"

OTHERS HAVE SAID THERE IS NO WASHER AT ALL- ONLY AN IMBEDDED RUBBER O RING ON THE NUT WHICH CAN BE RE-USED.

WHICH IS CORRECT? THIS IS FOR 2026 V8 ONLY.

MANY THANKS

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[Upacurb]

No free first oil change at the dealer?

 

[Skye]

Long story short...

As the o-ring is imbedded inside the drain plug, buy a spare and set it aside. Pick an interval where you replace the plug, let's say every five oil changes or something like that. If you notice a nick, something doesn't seem right, or it actually begins leaking, replace sooner.

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From Forum threads, photos and videos, there is no crush washer. There is no gasket seating the bolt flange to the pan. There IS an embedded o-ring at the head end of the drain plug.

Most manufacturers recommend replacing drain plug gaskets or the drain plugs themselves at every oil change. The ask is there more to cover all bases, every instance of why something could fail.

In this example, the o-ring in the drain plug is not going to see a lot of physical wear. It's taken off maybe one or two times a year. It's lubricated from the dripping oil. The material itself is similar to other gaskets which encounter engine heat and oil and last the life of the vehicle.

Inspect the plug at each oil change and replace as necessary.

It's no different that a traditional plug using a paper gasket. While some replaced their's at each change, most of us would use it several times, flip the gasket, use it several more times and then replaced it when we thought it'd had enough. Replacing these plug at every change, that's a lot of drain plugs, considering there are millions on the road.

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/how-many-times-can-oil-drain-plug-be-reused.175194/

 

[SILVER ARROW]

Ive had mine changed twice at a Ford dealership once at 3000 miles. Second change when they installed the Ford performance supercharger. I looked over the paperwork and there was no charge for a new drain plug. This is at a Ford dealer.

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