Oil Changes and Recalls

[Mark S.]

Yesterday I had my local Ford dealer send over their mobile mechanic to perform the recall work related to battery monitor software. It took all of 5 minutes. The only downside is that my auto start/stop system is now working again. Since we had unbelievably warm weather (broke a 100-year record for the St Louis area), I decided to get some other chores done, namely an oil change and tire rotation.

The good news is I found a better way to get the oil filter off without making a mess. Loosen the filter enough to turn by hand, but not enough to break the seal. Put your drain pan under the filter, then punch a hole in the bottom of it. Once you have a hole with oil draining out of the filter wait a few minutes until oil stops draining. This should get all the oil in the filter housing into the filter. At that point you can further loosen the filter to break the air seal at the top. Once the seal is broken allowing air into the top of the filter the oil within can drain out. Let it sit for five minutes or so, then you can turn the filter off with NO OIL spilling out.

The bad news came when I was rotating the tires; at some point my alignment got out of whack. All four tires exhibit significantly more wear on the inner side of the tread compared to the outer side. I'm pretty sure it's always been this way I I'm just now noticing since the tread is significantly worn; I can't see how all four wheels could get out of alignment at the same time. There were early reports (throughout 2022) of owners finding their cars were out of alignment from the factory. The tread depth on the factory AT3/W tires makes it hard to detect differences from one side to the other visually, at least until the treads get worn. I'll be comparing left/right tread depths in the future. As it is, I have one tire that is worn on the inner tread all the way to the wear markers. So, at just over 30K I need a new set of tires.

I may take this opportunity to have the wheels painted. I really like the way the Heritage Editions look with the white wheels. Regarding tires, I'm leaning toward a tire that prioritizes road manners over off-road capability since 99% of my driving is on road. My plan all along has been to buy a set of steelies and mount taller (sidewall) specialized off-road tires for those occasions when I want to play in the dirt. I haven't to date because the factory AT3/W tires did everything I wanted for off road driving, and they had great road manners as well. In fact, unlike most tires I've owned in the past, road noise with these AT3/W tires has not increased with wear--yet another reason I like them. Alas, Falken no longer makes them, so I'll likely go back to my original plan: A decent all-weather tire for everyday driving, and a set of BFG's on steelies for off-road adventures.

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[VeryConfusedAmerican]

Hey Mark,

Which dealership did you use? I'm also in STL and am about to need to do my first service/recall. Used Dobbs with my previous car but since I need recall work done figured I should find a Ford dealer I trust.

 

[Mark S.]

Which dealership did you use?

I'm lucky enough to have space to do my own oil changes. I purchased the car from Clement Ford.

 

[wireman]

Yesterday I had my local Ford dealer send over their mobile mechanic to perform the recall work related to battery monitor software. It took all of 5 minutes. The only downside is that my auto start/stop system is now working again. Since we had unbelievably warm weather (broke a 100-year record for the St Louis area), I decided to get some other chores done, namely an oil change and tire rotation.

The good news is I found a better way to get the oil filter off without making a mess. Loosen the filter enough to turn by hand, but not enough to break the seal. Put your drain pan under the filter, then punch a hole in the bottom of it. Once you have a hole with oil draining out of the filter wait a few minutes until oil stops draining. This should get all the oil in the filter housing into the filter. At that point you can further loosen the filter to break the air seal at the top. Once the seal is broken allowing air into the top of the filter the oil within can drain out. Let it sit for five minutes or so, then you can turn the filter off with NO OIL spilling out.

The bad news came when I was rotating the tires; at some point my alignment got out of whack. All four tires exhibit significantly more wear on the inner side of the tread compared to the outer side. I'm pretty sure it's always been this way I I'm just now noticing since the tread is significantly worn; I can't see how all four wheels could get out of alignment at the same time. There were early reports (throughout 2022) of owners finding their cars were out of alignment from the factory. The tread depth on the factory AT3/W tires makes it hard to detect differences from one side to the other visually, at least until the treads get worn. I'll be comparing left/right tread depths in the future. As it is, I have one tire that is worn on the inner tread all the way to the wear markers. So, at just over 30K I need a new set of tires.

I may take this opportunity to have the wheels painted. I really like the way the Heritage Editions look with the white wheels. Regarding tires, I'm leaning toward a tire that prioritizes road manners over off-road capability since 99% of my driving is on road. My plan all along has been to buy a set of steelies and mount taller (sidewall) specialized off-road tires for those occasions when I want to play in the dirt. I haven't to date because the factory AT3/W tires did everything I wanted for off road driving, and they had great road manners as well. In fact, unlike most tires I've owned in the past, road noise with these AT3/W tires has not increased with wear--yet another reason I like them. Alas, Falken no longer makes them, so I'll likely go back to my original plan: A decent all-weather tire for everyday driving, and a set of BFG's on steelies for off-road adventures.

10-4 on the white wheels. I hope you do it and waiting for pics on the new look.

 

[AC AL]

I have a 2021 Badlands and the rear tires wear on the inside of both tires was so bad I had to replace them at 24k. I rotate the tires every 5k when I do my oil changes. The tire wear was good until it wasn’t. Something happened to get the adjustment out of wack. Got an alignment done, mechanically everything was ok the alignment was just way of. This is the wife’s car never been off road.

 

[Mark S.]

I have a 2021 Badlands and the rear tires wear on the inside of both tires was so bad I had to replace them at 24k. I rotate the tires every 5k when I do my oil changes. The tire wear was good until it wasn’t. Something happened to get the adjustment out of wack. Got an alignment done, mechanically everything was ok the alignment was just way of. This is the wife’s car never been off road.

Thanks for the data point. I'm in the same boat. I generally rotate the tires every 5k, and I haven't noticed the uneven wear until this rotation. Weird.

 

[Dude]

I haven't noticed the uneven wear until this rotation. Weird.

have you given any thought to replacing the Falkens with the optional ‘25 tire: Goodyear Territory RT All Terrain 235 65 R17 tires

 

[Mark S.]

have you given any thought to replacing the Falkens with the optional ‘25 tire: Goodyear Territory RT All Terrain 235 65 R17 tires

I haven't. My local store has several of the Falken A/T3Ws left. I may just go with those. I really like the versatility of these tires.

 

[AC AL]

Thanks for the data point. I'm in the same boat. I generally rotate the tires every 5k, and I haven't noticed the uneven wear until this rotation. Weird.

It’s like something loosens up.

 

[stcornish]

Hey Mark,

Which dealership did you use? I'm also in STL and am about to need to do my first service/recall. Used Dobbs with my previous car but since I need recall work done figured I should find a Ford dealer I trust.

I you don't mind the drive, Ruether Ford in Herculaneum does a good job and doesn't have crazy waiting times. The bigger dealers on the south side of STL have up to 3 months just to get an oil change scheduled.

 

[R W NORRIS New Mexico]

Mark S., if you want a simple way to keep the oil filter from running down to your arm pit and don't want to "hammer" a hole in it, then simply use a "ZIP LOCK BAG", a One Quart size works. Open the bag, slide it up over the filter and finish twisting off the filter. I have even used a filter wrench over the bag, but the excess at the top goes up over the filter. Been using this forever, but just an old man that does all his own work if possible. lol Rodger

 

[Dude]

I haven't. My local store has several of the Falken A/T3Ws left. I may just go with those. I really like the versatility of these tires.

Agreed. I nearly did that when I had to replace the OE Pirelli but did get a reasonable deal on the FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T4W 235/65R17 and as you know those are significantly heavier than the OE Falkens and especially so compared with to the OE Pirelli.
Specs for these posted here: https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/tires-again-225-65r17.12093/post-202753

I contemplated purchasing 5 of the OE Falkens at Discount Tire with the 5th going as the spare bc at least that way I’d have one extra tire in case one became unrepairable.

 

[Mark S.]

Mark S., if you want a simple way to keep the oil filter from running down to your arm pit and don't want to "hammer" a hole in it, then simply use a "ZIP LOCK BAG", a One Quart size works. Open the bag, slide it up over the filter and finish twisting off the filter. I have even used a filter wrench over the bag, but the excess at the top goes up over the filter. Been using this forever, but just an old man that does all his own work if possible. lol Rodger

Yes, that was my previous recommendation. Lately, however, at the behest of the spousal unit I'm trying to be responsible toward the environment if I can, so I sought a way to avoid using a plastic bag.

I got the idea from changing the oil for our aircraft; the filter is mounted to the top of the engine with the threads facing downward. As you can imagine, pulling a full oil filter off that engine makes an unholy mess. I started punching a hole in the top of the filter so the oil within would drain back into the engine while I drained the sump. I decided to give it a try for the car. The first time it didn't go well; it didn't occur to me that the filter would not drain until I broke the air seal between the filter seal and the seat. Once I figured that out no more mess, and no more plastic bags.

 

[R W NORRIS New Mexico]

Just thought I would give you my tip. My son is a pilot and works on some things, but he is "above" an oil filter. He flies Up and Down the East coast for his regular run with his base in DC. Lives in Minneapolis and commutes. Rough life. LOL Good luck.

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