My experience with the first oil change- 2.3 FX4

[RichD]

Did my break in oil change yesterday at 966 miles. Went with Mobil 1 5w-30 full synthetic and a Fram Ultra Guard.
The skid plate for the FX4 has 4 bolts. All 15mm. The front of the plate is slotted, so you only need to remove the rear two mounting bolts. Drain plug is also 15mm and the pan is aluminum.
Access to the filter was a pain. Tried to remove the one pin and lift up method but decided against it. Removed the rear liner pins, and 7mm screws and folded the liner forward for access. My problem was that the factory oil filter was on extremely tight. Eventually removed the wheel so I could get two hands on it. Not kidding when I say the filter was on tight.
Backed the filter off halfway and let it drain. With everything moved out of the way, filter access was fairly decent. The drain chute for the filter worked well and when I fully removed the filter, didn’t spill a drop.
Cleaned up the chute drainage system with brake cleaner spray after the new filter was installed.
Overall it was a learning experience and took much longer than I had planned

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[Rangerjimm]

Where is the filter in your first pic? Thanks. I am thinking pull the wheel also for easier access. It takes 1 minute with a cordless impact.

 

[RichD]

Where is the filter in your first pic? Thanks. I am thinking pull the wheel also for easier access. It takes 1 minute with a cordless impact.

If you think of that center bolt on the aluminum arm as the center up a clock, follow it up on the 1 o’clock axis and you’ll see it. And right beneath the steering knuckle The Fram has the black coating for gripping, makes it harder to see.

 

[Rangerjimm]

If you think of that center bolt on the aluminum arm as the center up a clock, follow it up on the 1 o’clock axis and you’ll see it. And right beneath the steering knuckle The Fram has the black coating for gripping, makes it harder to see.

Ok yes I see it. It looks like that brake line is right in font of it?

 

[RichD]

Ok yes I see it. It looks like that brake line is right in font of it?

Yep- thats it.

 

[telenerd]

I almost bought a 2.3 until I learned about where the oil filter is. Good write up. I’m sure after a few changes it will get easier.

 

[Rangerjimm]

I almost bought a 2.3 until I learned about where the oil filter is. Good write up. I’m sure after a few changes it will get easier.

Id rather have this oil filter location than Cam phasers going out at 3000 miles requiring the engine to have to come out.

 

[Trimjb]

Is there a break in schedule?
My dealer says they will do first oil change ( not in writing) at 5K.

 

[Satex]

Id rather have this oil filter location than Cam phasers going out at 3000 miles requiring the engine to have to come out.

I'd rather have that too. But I didn't see a choice for 3000 cam phasers, so I chose neither.

 

[RichD]

Is there a break in schedule?
My dealer says they will do first oil change ( not in writing) at 5K.

The dealer doesn’t have a schedule , it’s basically an ownership rule of thumb.
Theres a possibility of contaminants in the oil after initial manufacture of the engine. Silicone, other gasket materials, metal shavings from the build.
There are actual threads where people have cut the filters apart after the first oil change showing metal shavings captured there.

 

[Satex]

The dealer doesn’t have a schedule , it’s basically an ownership rule of thumb.
Theres a possibility of contaminants in the oil after initial manufacture of the engine. Silicone, other gasket materials, metal shavings from the build.
There are actual threads where people have cut the filters apart after the first oil change showing metal shavings captured there.

I don't think ANY oem has a break in procedure any more. I read something interesting about that recently.

It seems that the published EPA mileage numbers are based and confirmed by actual surprise test drives at dealers. Typically thicker oil not designed for long use or mpg but for break in purposes resulted in low mpg tests, so oem's no longer use those oils.

Further, to keep government required published maintenance costs low, adding another oil change makes that worse.

I don't know how true that is, but it makes sense.

 

[Trimjb]

I don't think ANY oem has a break in procedure any more. I read something interesting about that recently.

It seems that the published EPA mileage numbers are based and confirmed by actual surprise test drives at dealers. Typically thicker oil not designed for long use or mpg but for break in purposes resulted in low mpg tests, so oem's no longer use those oils.

Further, to keep government required published maintenance costs low, adding another oil change makes that worse.

I don't know how true that is, but it makes sense.

This is my take as well.
I have purchased many vehicles for commercial business and have never had a break in oil change done. I am however use to doing changes at 3K vs. waiting for oil monitor to tell me when.
Understood about the advances in technology and lubrication advancements.
It's just an old school thing

I wasn't sure if this is something Ford started for the ECO Boost engines.
If I was concerned about doing a break in oil change I would do an oil sample at the same time.

 

[RichD]

I don't think ANY oem has a break in procedure any more. I read something interesting about that recently.

It seems that the published EPA mileage numbers are based and confirmed by actual surprise test drives at dealers. Typically thicker oil not designed for long use or mpg but for break in purposes resulted in low mpg tests, so oem's no longer use those oils.

Further, to keep government required published maintenance costs low, adding another oil change makes that worse.

I don't know how true that is, but it makes sense.

Oh for sure none of them do, but this is specific to the Ford Ranger. I think that it’s important to change out oil at or before the 1k mark, especially for ecoboost engines.

 

[RichD]

Oh for sure none of them do, but this is specific to the Ford Ranger. I think that it’s important to change out oil at or before the 1k mark, especially for ecoboost engines.

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/2024-ranger-xl-4x4-oil-analysis-2-3l.11384/

 

[Satex]

This is my take as well.
I have purchased many vehicles for commercial business and have never had a break in oil change done. I am however use to doing changes at 3K vs. waiting for oil monitor to tell me when.
Understood about the advances in technology and lubrication advancements.
It's just an old school thing

I wasn't sure if this is something Ford started for the ECO Boost engines.
If I was concerned about doing a break in oil change I would do an oil sample at the same time.

I wasn't taking a position about what SHOULD be done, but only about WHY oem's don't have break in oil change recommendations.

FWIW, I did a break in oil and filter change on my 2.7 Ecoboost at about 675 miles. I didn't send in oil for analysis and probably won't. I've just decided on oil change intervals of 4 to 5 thousand miles. I doubt that greater frequency will be helpful, and that testing in order to get longer intervals will be more inconvenient and cost the same.

Smarter people than me might do it differently.

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