2025 2.3 oil filter change from pre-2025 (FL-2127 and FL-500S both fit)

[redone17]

Digging into this new engine a bit. This is fascinating...but, now I have a few old filters laying around.

I just don't get how the FL-400S fits both engines...

EDIT: it’s the FL-500S that fits the 2025.

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[Exhaust]

I run the FRAM Endurance, which for the money, is the best out there. With that said, and to your point, the FRAM Extra Guard (spin on) filters are cheaply made--but they outperform Motorcraft so there's that. Stepping up to an Ultra or Endurance does not break the bank and will get you 99.9% at 20um which is the top of the range for most over the counter filters.

Agree on oil as well, plenty of quality synthetics on the market so there is no need to scrimp and run a blend which is what MC oil is and cannot handle the fuel dilution the 2.7L engines produce (not sure if the 2.3L has a similar issue).

Looking to do the first oil change my 2.3L Heritage MT, but haven't found a real consensus of what parts to use. Can't find Motorcraft/OEM stuff anywhere around here. @CarbonSteel would you recommend Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 and the FRAM Synthetic Endurance Premium Oil Filter (FE12060)?

 

[RagnarKon]

Looking to do the first oil change my 2.3L Heritage MT, but haven't found a real consensus of what parts to use. Can't find Motorcraft/OEM stuff anywhere around here. @CarbonSteel would you recommend Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 and the FRAM Synthetic Endurance Premium Oil Filter (FE12060)?

If you want Motorcraft, you can just buy the filters at your local Ford dealer, would be pretty shocked if they didn't have them in stock.

I buy them a box at a time, usually the spin-on filters come with a dozen filters per box. Typically ends up costing me around $5-$7 per filter. In the past I would pay for both the filters and oil with FordPass rewards points, which made my oil changes $0. But now that the FordPass Rewards credit card has been discontinued I won't be able to do that any more.

Oil is a hot topic for many people, but there are tons of good options—agree with @CarbonSteel about that. I use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum now that I can't get oil for free anymore, but I wouldn't at all be opposed to using Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synth.

 

[Exhaust]

If you want Motorcraft, you can just buy the filters at your local Ford dealer, would be pretty shocked if they didn't have them in stock.

I'm not sure I want that filter, actually. I've read that the Bronco may come with synthetic blend from the factory, and I plan on using full synthetic. Not sure if the FL-2127 (which I think is new for 2025) will be as performant as possible since I know @CarbonSteel was critical of the cellulose media in an earlier post.

 

[23OBX2.7]

confirm the oil pan is nice gorgeous aluminum? I want to put a pan heater on my bronco!

Inline coolant heater

 

[CarbonSteel]

Looking to do the first oil change my 2.3L Heritage MT, but haven't found a real consensus of what parts to use. Can't find Motorcraft/OEM stuff anywhere around here. @CarbonSteel would you recommend Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 and the FRAM Synthetic Endurance Premium Oil Filter (FE12060)?

I know that my 2.7L has a lot of fuel dilution and so I use M1 ESP 0W-30 which has a pretty high viscosity and remains a 0W-30 despite the dilution.

The FRAM Endurance is (IMHO) the best filter on the market for the money. Hope this helps!

 

[CarbonSteel]

I'm not sure I want that filter, actually. I've read that the Bronco may come with synthetic blend from the factory, and I plan on using full synthetic. Not sure if the FL-2127 (which I think is new for 2025) will be as performant as possible since I know @CarbonSteel was critical of the cellulose media in an earlier post.

Cellulose is not as efficient as synthetic media and MC does not list their efficiency rating so you are left guessing at best as to how good or bad it is.

I have not priced an MC filter lately, but I am guessing that if they are cheaper than a FE, it would not be by much.

 

[redone17]

Finally got around to my first oil change. The threaded opening on these new filters is what’s different. It’s about 1/4” wider. Otherwise the dimensions are the same as their predecessors.

 

[redone17]

After I burn through the Motul I’m sitting on I plan to switch to Mobil ESP and a Premium Guard filter. I’m skeptical of the vehicle selection tools realizing that the 2025 is different than 2021-2022 on the NAPA, AutoZone & Advanced sites. I’ll have to bring one of these Motorcraft filters into a store with me to confirm the correct model number.

 

[MayhemMike]

I think people over think oil filters. I've been using "cheap" oil filters (The Frams everyone loves to hate) for decades. My Pontiac Vibe has 160K miles. I recently replaced the intake manifold and the valve chamber looks like new, virtually zero sludge. Maybe if you change oil at 10K it might make a difference. At 5K or less paying $15.00 for an oil filter is a waste of money.

Filters and oil both are way over “ thunk”. Good old dinosaur goo has worked forever. Combustion residue is the culprit. The more often it gets removed via oil change the better.

 

[LSW]

After I burn through the Motul I’m sitting on I plan to switch to Mobil ESP and a Premium Guard filter. I’m skeptical of the vehicle selection tools realizing that the 2025 is different than 2021-2022 on the NAPA, AutoZone & Advanced sites. I’ll have to bring one of these Motorcraft filters into a store with me to confirm the correct model number.

Solid choices! Premium Guard also came out with a new “Ultimate Synthetic” line of oil filters a few weeks ago. Efficiency is specified as 99.5% at 25 microns which is pretty good, with “superior flow” and a 20,000 mile rating.

https://www.pgfilters.com/products/filters/oil-filters/ultimate-synthetic-oil-filters/

I think you can buy one here for the new 2.3L:
Carquest P95140

Paradoxically the Carquest premium / premium guard EX still has slightly better efficiency with the synthetic blend media rated at 99.9% at 25 microns and is a little cheaper.

 

[Oitadow]

Use a lot of seafoam and drive on sport mode always at reasonably high revs often, a sort of Italian tune-up. It will reduce oil build-up l think.

 

[GoHack]

Solid choices! Premium Guard also came out with a new “Ultimate Synthetic” line of oil filters a few weeks ago. Efficiency is specified as 99.5% at 25 microns which is pretty good, with “superior flow” and a 20,000 mile rating.

https://www.pgfilters.com/products/filters/oil-filters/ultimate-synthetic-oil-filters/

I think you can buy one here for the new 2.3L:
Carquest P95140

Paradoxically the Carquest premium / premium guard EX still has slightly better efficiency with the synthetic blend media rated at 99.9% at 25 microns and is a little cheaper.

Never heard of Premium Guard.
Looks like a nice filter.
Any reviews of them?

As for Carquest, who makes their filters?

 

[DALOLA]

Never heard of Premium Guard.
Looks like a nice filter.
Any reviews of them?

Sounds a lot like the Fram Synthetic Endurance, IMO, really hard to beat for the price, and always in stock at Wallyworld...

https://www.fram.com/products/oil-filters/synthetic-endurance

 

[GoHack]

Sounds a lot like the Fram Synthetic Endurance, IMO, really hard to beat for the price, and always in stock at Wallyworld...

https://www.fram.com/products/oil-filters/synthetic-endurance

Never been a fan of Fram Oil Filters. Not only in seeing their glued on ends, but talking w/a few mechanics who have had to deal w/them falling apart, or disintegrating in the engine, and the mess they would leave.
This includes both auto and motorcycle mechanics.

I figure, if you're going to spend the money for a good oil, like full synthetic oil, then it makes equal sense to do the same w/the oil filter as well.
I myself use Wix, NAPA, or Amsoil. At the very least, OEM like Ford's.

There have been people in the past who would spend the money on the best synthetic oil, like Amsoil, but use the very cheapest of oil filters.

If you have Ford simply do your oil/filter changes, then go w/their Full Synthetic Oil w/their oil filter, which I have done myself during engine break-in.

As for using a good oil, full synthetic makes the most sense due to both the high temperatures of the Turbocharger, but in their speeds as well, since they rotate several hundred thousands of RPMs.

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