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 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | shop |
| Jack stands 3-ton pair Supports the truck if you lift it instead of using ramps. | Safety | shop |
| Socket wrench 3/8 in drive ratchet Drives the drain plug socket and filter cap wrench. | Required | shop |
| 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 | shop |
| 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 | shop |
| 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 | shop |
| Drain pan 10 quart capacity with sealed spout The 5.0 holds nearly 8 quarts, so a small pan will overflow. | Required | shop |
| 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 | shop |
| Funnel Long-neck or flexible spout The oil fill neck sits low behind the accessory drive on the EcoBoost and 5.0. | Required | shop |
| Extension bar 3/8 in drive, 6 in Reaches the filter past the frame rail and crossmember on 4x4 models. | Recommended | shop |
| Shop rags or paper towels Cleans the filter sealing surface and catches the drip when the filter comes off. | Consumables | shop |
| Nitrile gloves Hot used oil is a skin irritant. | Safety | shop |
| Safety glasses Oil can run down your arm and drip when working under the pan. | Safety | shop |
| 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 | shop |
| 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 | shop |
| Drain plug washer or replacement plug Crush/seal washer per engine Cheap insurance against a seeping plug on high-mileage trucks. | Parts | shop |
| Brake cleaner or degreaser Aerosol Cleans oil off the pan and crossmember so you can spot future leaks. | Consumables | shop |
| Wheel chocks Keeps the truck from rolling on ramps or stands. | Safety | shop |
| Oil extractor pump 6-8 qt hand pump with dipstick tube Optional top-side alternative if you cannot safely lift the truck. | Recommended | shop |
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) |
The 15 mm drain plug and Motorcraft FL-500S / FL-820S filter applications are reliable for this generation, but confirm the filter number for your exact engine at the parts counter and confirm the drain plug torque in the Ford workshop manual before you pull the wrench on an aluminum pan.
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.