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This is one of the easiest jobs on a 12th-gen F-150. Every engine in the range uses a 15 mm hex drain plug in the pan and a conventional spin-on filter, and on a 4x4 you often do not even need to lift the truck. Budget most of your time for draining and for finding the right filter number.
The two things people get wrong are oil grade and filter tightness. The 3.5 EcoBoost wants 5W-30 while the naturally aspirated engines want 5W-20, and a filter cranked down with a wrench will be a fight to remove next time. Also check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter — a double gasket is the classic cause of an empty crankcase in the driveway.
| Item | Type | Product search |
|---|---|---|
| Floor jack 2-ton minimum, or drive-on ramps Lifts the truck for drain plug and filter access; 4x4 models often have enough clearance without lifting. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Jack stands 3-ton pair Supports the truck if you lift it instead of using ramps. | Safety | search retailer |
| Socket wrench 3/8 in drive ratchet Drives the drain plug socket and filter cap wrench. | Required | search retailer |
| Drain plug socket 15 mm 6-point, 3/8 in drive Removes the oil pan drain plug on 3.5 EcoBoost, 3.7, 5.0, 6.2 and 4.6/5.4. | Required | search retailer |
| Oil filter cap wrench Cup style sized for Motorcraft FL-500S (approx. 74-76 mm) or FL-820S (approx. 93 mm, 15 flute) Breaks the filter loose without crushing it; size depends on which filter your engine uses. | Required | search retailer |
| Oil filter claw or strap wrench 3/8 in drive claw, fits 2.5-4 in filters Backup for a stuck or overtightened filter when a cup wrench slips. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Drain pan 10 quart capacity with sealed spout The 5.0 holds nearly 8 quarts, so a small pan will overflow. | Required | search retailer |
| Torque wrench 3/8 in drive, 10-80 ft-lb Drain plugs thread into aluminum pans on the 5.0 and 3.5 EcoBoost and strip easily. | Required | search retailer |
| Funnel Long-neck or flexible spout The oil fill neck sits low behind the accessory drive on the EcoBoost and 5.0. | Required | search retailer |
| Extension bar 3/8 in drive, 6 in Reaches the filter past the frame rail and crossmember on 4x4 models. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Shop rags or paper towels Cleans the filter sealing surface and catches the drip when the filter comes off. | Consumables | search retailer |
| Nitrile gloves Hot used oil is a skin irritant. | Safety | search retailer |
| Safety glasses Oil can run down your arm and drip when working under the pan. | Safety | search retailer |
| Engine oil 5W-20 synthetic blend for 3.7, 5.0, 6.2, 4.6, 5.4; 5W-30 synthetic blend for 3.5 EcoBoost. Meets Ford WSS-M2C945-A/930-A Correct viscosity; the EcoBoost is the odd one out at 5W-30. | Consumables | search retailer |
| Oil filter Motorcraft FL-500S (3.7, 5.0, 3.5 EcoBoost, 6.2 — verify by application) or FL-820S (4.6 and 5.4, 2009-2010) The filter for your specific engine; sizes and thread differ. | Parts | search retailer |
| Drain plug washer or replacement plug Crush/seal washer per engine Cheap insurance against a seeping plug on high-mileage trucks. | Parts | search retailer |
| Brake cleaner or degreaser Aerosol Cleans oil off the pan and crossmember so you can spot future leaks. | Consumables | search retailer |
| Wheel chocks Keeps the truck from rolling on ramps or stands. | Safety | search retailer |
| Oil extractor pump 6-8 qt hand pump with dipstick tube Optional top-side alternative if you cannot safely lift the truck. | Recommended | search retailer |
Drain plug is 15 mm hex across the generation. Filter differs: the 2009-2010 4.6L and 5.4L modular V8s use the taller Motorcraft FL-820S (roughly 93 mm, 15-flute cap wrench), while the 2011-2014 3.7 V6, 5.0 Coyote, 3.5 EcoBoost and 6.2 V8 use the short FL-500S (roughly 74-76 mm cap wrench). Capacity and grade also vary: 6.0 qt 5W-30 for the EcoBoost, 6.0 qt 5W-20 for the 3.7, about 7.7 qt 5W-20 for the 5.0, and about 7.0 qt 5W-20 for the 6.2 and 5.4.
| Oil pan drain plug (3.5 EcoBoost) | approx. 19 ft-lb (26 Nm) — verify in the service manual |
| Oil pan drain plug (5.0 Coyote, aluminum pan) | approx. 15-20 ft-lb (20-27 Nm) — verify in the service manual |
| Oil pan drain plug (3.7 V6, 6.2 V8, 4.6/5.4) | verify in the service manual |
| Spin-on oil filter | Hand tight, about 3/4 turn past gasket contact |
| Wheel lug nuts (if wheels removed for access) | 150 ft-lb (204 Nm) |
15 mm, and a 6-point socket on a 3/8 in drive ratchet is the right tool. Avoid a 12-point or an adjustable wrench, since the plug head rounds off easily on aluminum-pan engines.
About 7.7 quarts of 5W-20 with a new filter. Buy two 4-quart jugs or a 5-quart plus singles, add about 7 quarts first, then top up by dipstick.
5W-30 meeting Ford WSS-M2C946-A/945-A. Ford specified 5W-30 for the turbocharged 3.5 while the 3.7, 5.0 and 6.2 use 5W-20.
With the ignition in Run and the engine off, press and hold the accelerator and brake pedals together for about 25 seconds until the message center confirms the reset. Trucks with the full message center can also reset it under Setup > Oil Life Reset.