- Joined
- Aug 24, 2025
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- 2
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- 5
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- 8
- Location
- New Jersey
- Vehicle(s)
- 2025 Bronco
- Your Bronco Model
- Base
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- #1
Hello all, just wanted to put this out there to save everyone a potential future headache that I went through today.
Did the first oil change on my 2025 Bronco - base model with the updated 2.3 engine, which set the record for the longest oil change ever, at over 3 hours. Now note, I am not a rookie at this - I’ve changed the oil on many cars - Saturn Ion, Nissan Armada, Toyota Camry, my previous daily driver (a 2012 Hyundai Sonata) which was a piece of cake, probably as easy as oil changes get.
The oil change on this car is different, and not in a good way. It seems as if it was made to be intentionally difficult. However, it was made worse by the fact that this is the first year for the updated 2.3 engine, so previous videos and information weren’t exactly helpful. I’ll explain why below.
The oil drain bolt is relatively simple, very similar to old 2.3 Broncos. At least for the base model and those with the plastic shield, remove six 15 mm bolts, then conveniently, use the same 15mm ratchet to remove the drain bolt.
Now, the oil filter is a completely different story. Not seriously, but figuratively - I want to strangle the engineer who thought of the brilliant idea to put it where it resides. Previous videos and information recommend going through the driver side wheel well with a cap wrench and socket extensions. I have no idea how people did this. Maybe it is different for 2025, but there was absolutely no room to get in there. And I looked at it for a good 30 minutes. Did I mention that the plastic screw rivet holding the wheel well is a PITA to remove? That sucker is so easy to strip because it just refuses to come off.
Plan B that worked for me was using a squeeze/adjustable oil filter wrench, reaching deep in there. I was roughly positioned under the driver seat. I was able to do it as I am tall with long arms, but it is quite awkward. But it works.
Then, after FINALLY getting the oil filter off, a new problem arose: the new oil filter didn’t fit. I’m a Mobil 1 guy and their site told me M1-102A is what fit, so that’s what I got. Turns out, it does NOT fit, despite what they say. Upon closer inspection, the OEM filter (FL-2127) for the updated 2.3 Bronco has a slightly larger oil filter thread than the M1-102A.
So, in the middle of the oil change, I find myself at my local Advance Auto Parts looking for a new oil filter. Turns out there’s two oil filter thread sizes for the updated 2.3 - 22mm and 3/4 inch. At least from what the guy has in the system. I suspect the 3/4 inch is a remnant of the old 2.3, because the 22 mm oil filter thread is what is needed to fit the updated 2.3 Bronco. Even though I am a Mobil 1 guy, I got a Carquest Extended Performance filter, which advertises high flow and has filtration efficiency of 99.5% at 25 microns - not bad! (assuming the high flow is true) I may use this CQ filter moving forward, given it’s the only filter I know that is guaranteed to fit (aside from OEM, which I don’t want to use d/t the low filtration rating).
Thankfully the new oil filter fit and all was right in the world. No further snags - be sure to use the flat foot crank feature to prevent a dry start. Fully depressed accelerator + fully depressed clutch and then press the stop/start button.
TL;DR
So it seems, at least based on my experience today, you CANNOT go through the wheel well to remove the oil filter on the updated 2.3 ecoboost for the Bronco. Also, make sure your oil filter has a 22 mm thread, NOT 3/4 inch, or it won’t fit and you’ll be running to the auto parts store like me today. For those who want to know, the Carquest oil filter I mentioned previously has an identification code of P95140. 16 bucks or so which is quite steep for a filter but I needed it urgently.
All the best to everyone changing their oil on the updated 2.3 Broncos. Hopefully, this information will make yours go much faster, smoother, and with a lower blood pressure than mine.
Did the first oil change on my 2025 Bronco - base model with the updated 2.3 engine, which set the record for the longest oil change ever, at over 3 hours. Now note, I am not a rookie at this - I’ve changed the oil on many cars - Saturn Ion, Nissan Armada, Toyota Camry, my previous daily driver (a 2012 Hyundai Sonata) which was a piece of cake, probably as easy as oil changes get.
The oil change on this car is different, and not in a good way. It seems as if it was made to be intentionally difficult. However, it was made worse by the fact that this is the first year for the updated 2.3 engine, so previous videos and information weren’t exactly helpful. I’ll explain why below.
The oil drain bolt is relatively simple, very similar to old 2.3 Broncos. At least for the base model and those with the plastic shield, remove six 15 mm bolts, then conveniently, use the same 15mm ratchet to remove the drain bolt.
Now, the oil filter is a completely different story. Not seriously, but figuratively - I want to strangle the engineer who thought of the brilliant idea to put it where it resides. Previous videos and information recommend going through the driver side wheel well with a cap wrench and socket extensions. I have no idea how people did this. Maybe it is different for 2025, but there was absolutely no room to get in there. And I looked at it for a good 30 minutes. Did I mention that the plastic screw rivet holding the wheel well is a PITA to remove? That sucker is so easy to strip because it just refuses to come off.
Plan B that worked for me was using a squeeze/adjustable oil filter wrench, reaching deep in there. I was roughly positioned under the driver seat. I was able to do it as I am tall with long arms, but it is quite awkward. But it works.
Then, after FINALLY getting the oil filter off, a new problem arose: the new oil filter didn’t fit. I’m a Mobil 1 guy and their site told me M1-102A is what fit, so that’s what I got. Turns out, it does NOT fit, despite what they say. Upon closer inspection, the OEM filter (FL-2127) for the updated 2.3 Bronco has a slightly larger oil filter thread than the M1-102A.
So, in the middle of the oil change, I find myself at my local Advance Auto Parts looking for a new oil filter. Turns out there’s two oil filter thread sizes for the updated 2.3 - 22mm and 3/4 inch. At least from what the guy has in the system. I suspect the 3/4 inch is a remnant of the old 2.3, because the 22 mm oil filter thread is what is needed to fit the updated 2.3 Bronco. Even though I am a Mobil 1 guy, I got a Carquest Extended Performance filter, which advertises high flow and has filtration efficiency of 99.5% at 25 microns - not bad! (assuming the high flow is true) I may use this CQ filter moving forward, given it’s the only filter I know that is guaranteed to fit (aside from OEM, which I don’t want to use d/t the low filtration rating).
Thankfully the new oil filter fit and all was right in the world. No further snags - be sure to use the flat foot crank feature to prevent a dry start. Fully depressed accelerator + fully depressed clutch and then press the stop/start button.
TL;DR
So it seems, at least based on my experience today, you CANNOT go through the wheel well to remove the oil filter on the updated 2.3 ecoboost for the Bronco. Also, make sure your oil filter has a 22 mm thread, NOT 3/4 inch, or it won’t fit and you’ll be running to the auto parts store like me today. For those who want to know, the Carquest oil filter I mentioned previously has an identification code of P95140. 16 bucks or so which is quite steep for a filter but I needed it urgently.
All the best to everyone changing their oil on the updated 2.3 Broncos. Hopefully, this information will make yours go much faster, smoother, and with a lower blood pressure than mine.
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