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Issue: What is the easiest way to access the oil filter? How many quarts?
Tips recommend by users for removing the oil filter:
Read the full discussion below
Tips recommend by users for removing the oil filter:
- Using a strap style filter wrench
- Loosen the filter from above first. After it is loose, crawl under the truck to take it off
- It can be easier to get off if it is a bit warm.
- As a last resort, drain the oil and take a screwdriver to smash through the old filter with a hammer. Use the leverage you get to loosen it, then take the screwdriver out and unscrew the old filter. Your filter gasket was probably never lubed before installation, and possibly over tightened. Please note some oil may leak when removing the filter in this manner.
Read the full discussion below
04 5.4 oil change
11-28-2008, 05:19 PM
#1
Car Audio Junkie
Thread Starter
04 5.4 oil change
whats easiest way to access the filter? how many qt's of oil, etc...basically needing a "how to" never done it on my 04 f-150 before and it needs to be done
thanks
logan
thanks
logan
11-28-2008, 05:46 PM
#2
Moderator (Ret.)
Your 5.4 liter holds 7 quarts (with new oil filter). Ford recommends 5W-20. I use 5W-20 or 5W-30. If you use "dyno" based oil, I'd change it every 3000 miles. If you use synthetic, I'd go 5000-6000 miles. Some synthetics can go up to 7500; my personal rule of thumb is to just double the "dyno" based (non synthetic).
As to brands of oil or oil filters (should you ask), be prepared for another "battle". Oil brands and oil filters always raise some "interesting" points of view. Wally Mart sells the Ford brand filters; that's what I use.
Accessing the filter? I use the strap style filter wrench; there are many types. Ford placed the filter on there engines in easy to reach places on these trucks. A big thumbs up from me.
As to brands of oil or oil filters (should you ask), be prepared for another "battle". Oil brands and oil filters always raise some "interesting" points of view. Wally Mart sells the Ford brand filters; that's what I use.
Accessing the filter? I use the strap style filter wrench; there are many types. Ford placed the filter on there engines in easy to reach places on these trucks. A big thumbs up from me.
11-28-2008, 07:16 PM
#3
Car Audio Junkie
Thread Starter
Your 5.4 liter holds 7 quarts (with new oil filter). Ford recommends 5W-20. I use 5W-20 or 5W-30. If you use "dyno" based oil, I'd change it every 3000 miles. If you use synthetic, I'd go 5000-6000 miles. Some synthetics can go up to 7500; my personal rule of thumb is to just double the "dyno" based (non synthetic).
As to brands of oil or oil filters (should you ask), be prepared for another "battle". Oil brands and oil filters always raise some "interesting" points of view. Wally Mart sells the Ford brand filters; that's what I use.
Accessing the filter? I use the strap style filter wrench; there are many types. Ford placed the filter on there engines in easy to reach places on these trucks. A big thumbs up from me.
As to brands of oil or oil filters (should you ask), be prepared for another "battle". Oil brands and oil filters always raise some "interesting" points of view. Wally Mart sells the Ford brand filters; that's what I use.
Accessing the filter? I use the strap style filter wrench; there are many types. Ford placed the filter on there engines in easy to reach places on these trucks. A big thumbs up from me.
it always gets changed every 3k miles, on all my vehicles regardless of oil..
got my oil filter from napa, its a napa gold one, so getting to the filter whats easier, climbing under (sorry never really searched for the filter)
11-29-2008, 07:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
I found that there isn't room to maneuver a strap type filter wrench on my 06 but there is enough room to get both hands on the filter and twist it from underneath. Mine was in really tight the first time I changed it so I really had to work at it.
In my opinion the best oil and filter to use is the Motorcraft 5w-20 (7 quarts) and the motorcraft filter (the napa is fine also). These are both for sale at walmart and can be had for less than $20 from there. The oil is a synthedic blend so I let it go for 5,000 miles between changes.
The drain plug is a 17mm if I remember right (might be 16mm) and is easiest to get to if you crawl in behind either of the front wheels. The nice thing about the f150 is it's got enough clearance that you can slide under the truck with a creeper and still have plenty of room without jacking it up.
Hope that helps.
John
In my opinion the best oil and filter to use is the Motorcraft 5w-20 (7 quarts) and the motorcraft filter (the napa is fine also). These are both for sale at walmart and can be had for less than $20 from there. The oil is a synthedic blend so I let it go for 5,000 miles between changes.
The drain plug is a 17mm if I remember right (might be 16mm) and is easiest to get to if you crawl in behind either of the front wheels. The nice thing about the f150 is it's got enough clearance that you can slide under the truck with a creeper and still have plenty of room without jacking it up.
Hope that helps.
John
11-29-2008, 08:30 PM
#6
Car Audio Junkie
Thread Starter
I found that there isn't room to maneuver a strap type filter wrench on my 06 but there is enough room to get both hands on the filter and twist it from underneath. Mine was in really tight the first time I changed it so I really had to work at it.
In my opinion the best oil and filter to use is the Motorcraft 5w-20 (7 quarts) and the motorcraft filter (the napa is fine also). These are both for sale at walmart and can be had for less than $20 from there. The oil is a synthedic blend so I let it go for 5,000 miles between changes.
The drain plug is a 17mm if I remember right (might be 16mm) and is easiest to get to if you crawl in behind either of the front wheels. The nice thing about the f150 is it's got enough clearance that you can slide under the truck with a creeper and still have plenty of room without jacking it up.
Hope that helps.
John
In my opinion the best oil and filter to use is the Motorcraft 5w-20 (7 quarts) and the motorcraft filter (the napa is fine also). These are both for sale at walmart and can be had for less than $20 from there. The oil is a synthedic blend so I let it go for 5,000 miles between changes.
The drain plug is a 17mm if I remember right (might be 16mm) and is easiest to get to if you crawl in behind either of the front wheels. The nice thing about the f150 is it's got enough clearance that you can slide under the truck with a creeper and still have plenty of room without jacking it up.
Hope that helps.
John
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01-03-2009, 09:13 AM
#8
Moderator (Ret.)
Here we go (yet again) about synthetic oil. Can I suggest you google the advantages of synthetic over dyno based oils rather than attempt to start yet another oil debate?
If you plan to change your oil every 3K, then stick with dyno based. Otherwise you're wasting your money. Synthetics resist heat breakdown much better than dyno, and hold their lubricating properties much longer than dyno based, which is one (of many) reasons they can go 5 to 6k miles between oil changes, provided they are combined with a good oil filter, such as Fords brand.
If you plan to change your oil every 3K, then stick with dyno based. Otherwise you're wasting your money. Synthetics resist heat breakdown much better than dyno, and hold their lubricating properties much longer than dyno based, which is one (of many) reasons they can go 5 to 6k miles between oil changes, provided they are combined with a good oil filter, such as Fords brand.
01-03-2009, 10:47 AM
#10
