- First Name
- Brian
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2022
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- 16
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- 33
- Location
- Seattle, WA
- Vehicle(s)
- Bronco Sport
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- #1
I did my first oil change at 2,703 miles yesterday on my '22 Badlands and I wanted to share my takeaway after doing my own oil change.
Firstly, if you do NOT do highway driving frequently, seriously consider doing oil changes at a lower mileage or time interval. This applies to the 1.5L and 2.0L engines. We're talking 3k - 4k mile intervals or every 6 months to 1 year. With work from home being a common thing nowadays, I feel more of us fall into this category. The reason I mention this is that my old oil was diluted with fuel, I could smell it without me having to put my nose close to it. It just reeked of fuel. With highway driving, engines get the opportunity to get up to temp and the hotter temp vaporizes the fuel out of the oil. Without the hotter engine temps, the fuel gets trapped in the oil.
Here is a video from a Ford master tech explaining why and the impact on your engine of letting your oil changes go too long.
These EcoBoost (i.e. turbo) engines need fresh oil. They are dirty engines. Keep them well fed with fresh oil and prevent the sludge and carbon build up. A $36 dollar DIY oil change and an hour of time is cheap compared to an engine rebuild.
I use to do 5k-6k mile changes on my Mazda3. After doing this change on the Badlands (first vehicle with a turbo), I am convinced of doing 3k mile changes.
Other thoughts:
- The bash plate was easier to get off than I thought. Fully remove all the T30 screws and the four 13mm bolts on the sides of the plate. Leave the two rear 13mm bolts on, simply loosen these only, as the bash plate has slotted holes on back.
- My first impression was that the oil from the oil pan was going to shoot straight into the plastic bumper. It didn't. With the initial pressure, it fell short by a couple inches.
- The 15mm drain bolt was not machined on, thankfully. I could undo it without the use of a breaker bar.
- The oil filter did need the use of a oil filter wrench tool. I used a cheap $10 universal one on amazon that fit my ratchet.
- Don't cheap out on your oil filter. The Motorcraft FL910S is a great filter, especially if you are doing frequent oil changes.
- You don't need a fancy lift or tools to do a DIY oil change! I have car ramps, a Dewalt ratchet set, and a oil filter wrench, all of which can be ordered without leaving your couch. You can do it, too!
TLDR: If you do short drives/commutes and do not frequent the highway, REALLY think about doing 3k-4k mile oil changes, or every 6 months to 1 year.
Firstly, if you do NOT do highway driving frequently, seriously consider doing oil changes at a lower mileage or time interval. This applies to the 1.5L and 2.0L engines. We're talking 3k - 4k mile intervals or every 6 months to 1 year. With work from home being a common thing nowadays, I feel more of us fall into this category. The reason I mention this is that my old oil was diluted with fuel, I could smell it without me having to put my nose close to it. It just reeked of fuel. With highway driving, engines get the opportunity to get up to temp and the hotter temp vaporizes the fuel out of the oil. Without the hotter engine temps, the fuel gets trapped in the oil.
Here is a video from a Ford master tech explaining why and the impact on your engine of letting your oil changes go too long.
These EcoBoost (i.e. turbo) engines need fresh oil. They are dirty engines. Keep them well fed with fresh oil and prevent the sludge and carbon build up. A $36 dollar DIY oil change and an hour of time is cheap compared to an engine rebuild.
I use to do 5k-6k mile changes on my Mazda3. After doing this change on the Badlands (first vehicle with a turbo), I am convinced of doing 3k mile changes.
Other thoughts:
- The bash plate was easier to get off than I thought. Fully remove all the T30 screws and the four 13mm bolts on the sides of the plate. Leave the two rear 13mm bolts on, simply loosen these only, as the bash plate has slotted holes on back.
- My first impression was that the oil from the oil pan was going to shoot straight into the plastic bumper. It didn't. With the initial pressure, it fell short by a couple inches.
- The 15mm drain bolt was not machined on, thankfully. I could undo it without the use of a breaker bar.
- The oil filter did need the use of a oil filter wrench tool. I used a cheap $10 universal one on amazon that fit my ratchet.
- Don't cheap out on your oil filter. The Motorcraft FL910S is a great filter, especially if you are doing frequent oil changes.
- You don't need a fancy lift or tools to do a DIY oil change! I have car ramps, a Dewalt ratchet set, and a oil filter wrench, all of which can be ordered without leaving your couch. You can do it, too!
TLDR: If you do short drives/commutes and do not frequent the highway, REALLY think about doing 3k-4k mile oil changes, or every 6 months to 1 year.
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