Questions about oil change

[dtillsstang]

Hey everyone, I’m at 1300 miles and been waiting for my race ramps to be sent out to me. Just needed some advice. I haven’t done an oil change in a very long time, and I’ve always done it with my dad. I was going to do my own oil changes using the motor craft filter, and Amsoil 5w30 synthetic. I’ve been getting told that I should let the dealer do it, but the dealers around here dont have the greatest reviews for their service. I’m just wondering if it’s a bad idea for me to do it myself as it’s been a long time. Will me doing my own oil change using the oil I listed mess up the warranty? I will log the changes into FordPass and carfax, and keep all my reciepts. Just wanted your guys opinion if I’m doing something dumb before I go through with it lol. Just not a fan of trusting people with my car as Ive had bad experiences with my Camaros at the dealer. Thank you!

Sponsored

 

[Skye]

No, doing your own maintenance will not affect the warranty.

Ford has a reasonable expectation the owner can provide supporting documentation showing:

1. The maintenance schedule was followed

2. Replacement parts met or exceeded the Ford requirement

Photos, receipts, log book entries, etc. Someone who has been good with maintenance, whether DIY or favored shop, will be able to speak to the history of the car, without hesitation.

Edit,

Being the first time you're changing the oil in this car, take your time. Block plenty of time so you can pace yourself. Being unfamiliar with things like the belly pan or filter, clean-up and all that, you'll need some additional moments. Future oil changes will be more straightforward.

 

[downtheroad]

I think watch a few YouTube’s and you’ll be good.

 

[dtillsstang]

Thank you, I checked the amsoil and it met the specifications in the manual. I have watched a couple videos on it and it doesn’t seem like something I couldn’t handle. I read the torque specs for the filter, is there a tool I can buy to torque the oil filter, or will be hand tightening and then the extra 1/2 turn or so it requires be sufficient? I noticed people in the videos just did it by hand. I appreciate the response.

 

[downtheroad]

Thank you, I checked the amsoil and it met the specifications in the manual. I have watched a couple videos on it and it doesn’t seem like something I couldn’t handle. I read the torque specs for the filter, is there a tool I can buy to torque the oil filter, or will be hand tightening and then the extra 1/2 turn or so it requires be sufficient? I noticed people in the videos just did it by hand. I appreciate the response.

Tighten with hand turning with bare hand until you can’t turn it. Always works for me.

 

[Skye]

After putting some fresh oil on the O-ring, I tighten mine by hand only. Each filter I've used, there are turn instructions available. I've never had one come undone. If anything, all the heat cycles make it a PITA to remove it later. LOL.

Things like this, if there are not specific hand-tightening instructions, I tighten it as best I can with one hand only. Snug and secure, but not wailing on it. The springiness of the O-ring works like a lock washer, keeping tension on the filter while at rest.

 

[roadpilot]

Tighten with hand turning with bare hand until you can’t turn it. Always works for me.

I go hand tight until I can't turn it any more, then 1/8 turn with the wrench.

 

[dtillsstang]

Thanks everyone, just got the email my race ramps are on the way, gonna order the oil and filter tonight and hopefully have it changed this weekend! Will let you guys know how it went.

 

[Gr8ful]

Removing the underbody panel makes the job much easier. Maybe you must. I do all my cars changes and some have small panels to access the drain plug and filter. Plus you get see the engine compartment from the underside. It's held on by a couple screws and many plastic push clips.
You will feel closer to your machine when doing it yourself and knowing it was done right. Remember the least experienced tech does the oil changes at the dealership.

 

[MAT1955]

@dtillsstang .... yes, you can do it. IMO forget the Amsoil and any of that other over hyped crap. That crap is more expensive and often not nearly as good as Ford Motorcraft oil.....so, IMO use Ford Motorcraft FULL synthetic oil and the Ford oil filter. Change your oil as hot as you can stand it. Use a protective glove and avoid the hot oil. Pre-fill your oil filter and wipe some new oil on the oil filter's gasket. You would be helped if you had a tool to remove the push pins in the fiberboard belly pan. You could purchase the tool cheap on Amazon or any local part store.

 

[Idle0024]

My first oil change is coming up and I wouldn’t mind having the dealer do it. However, I’m concerned they might be sloppy and allow oil to go all over the place followed by not cleaning the area. Because of this I may just end up doing it myself.

 

[dtillsstang]

Yeah I wasn’t really sure on what oil to use, I planned to go with just the motorcraft synthetic but have heard good things about the amsoil, or the pennzoil ultra platinum. I plan to keep this car until it’s done for, and just want the best, but not really sure about all of that stuff haha. Thanks for all the tips and advice, I use to help me dad with our family cars all the time but haven’t done any of that for 10-15 years, I’m 28 now.

 

[dtillsstang]

My first oil change is coming up and I wouldn’t mind having the dealer do it. However, I’m concerned they might be sloppy and allow oil to go all over the place followed by not cleaning the area. Because of this I may just end up doing it myself.

In the reviews at my dealer, they accidently drove someone’s dark horse off the lift during an oil change. I’ve seen a lot of bad things regarding oil changes in our cars due to removing the cover, and them getting oil on everything. Hoping these race ramps work well, I got the ones that are very low profile as I am putting a lip on here soon.

 

[GrabThatBlue]

In my country The Netherlands you will lose your warranty. But in the USA you can do you own oil change. Just watch some Youtube video's on how it works on this Mustang. There are different ways to do it without making a mess. Choose the one that suits you best.

Here you need to do every service that has to do with oil, brakes or other metal parts by the dealer. You can only do wheels, tires, window wiper rubbers and filters yourself.

 

[Germansheperd]

In my country The Netherlands you will lose your warranty. But in the USA you can do you own oil change. Just watch some Youtube video's on how it works on this Mustang. There are different ways to do it without making a mess. Choose the one that suits you best.

Here you need to do every service that has to do with oil, brakes or other metal parts by the dealer. You can only do wheels, tires, window wiper rubbers and filters yourself.

That’s brutal

Sponsored