Oil Change Tips & Tricks

[projectbadlands]

I use 6 1/2 qts just because at 6 qts, it reads at the bottom of the dipsitck and 7 shows overfilled.
6.5 sits just right.

Either way if its 6 or 7, half a quart underfilled or overfilled is not big deal to me.

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[Ducati1098]

But but but .... "priming" the oil filter after a change using flood mode has no downside, even if the benefits are questionable/debatable. Overfilling has real downsides such as foaming, extra windage/friction losses, etc.

Am I wrong?

There's really no downside or upside to either.
I don't think a quart over full will ever make a noticeable difference, it's just a waste of oil because it's unnecessary.
Multiple quarts over full will certainly cause the issue like you mentioned though.

"Priming" the oil after an oil change also wont make a single difference. Doing an oil change is no different then starting it every morning after a cold soak after the oil has drained back into the pan. That being said, it also wont hurt anything.

At the end of the day, I guess if it makes people warm and fuzzy inside to do either one, I'd say keep doing it.

 

[Fordified1]

I use 6 1/2 qts just because at 6 qts, it reads at the bottom of the dipsitck and 7 shows overfilled.
6.5 sits just right.

Either way if its 6 or 7, half a quart underfilled or overfilled is not big deal to me.

It’s a 6 quart system. It’s more likely your dipstick is marked wrong or the tube is a tad too long. In the Motorhome world, When you do your first oil change, you put the amount required and then you look at your dipstick after it runs and remark your dipstick if necessary, of course we’re dealing with 5 gallons of oil instead of 6 quarts. All that really matters is your oil pump pick up never gets uncovered and sucks air. 6 quarts is plenty of oil for either engine that’s in the bronco, the pump is never gonna suck the pan dry….. well unless you’re upside down lol

 

[cowman]

This is one reason why I run 7 qts. oil in my 2.7.... better mileage... And this true mileage... I have adjusted the AFE blas: Factor to my hand calculated mileage...

 

[adam1991]

It was. Some people still like to put 7 in for some reason though.
Makes just as much sense as "priming" after an oil change by using clear flood mode.
To each their own

All voodoo.

 

[adam1991]

I use 6 1/2 qts just because at 6 qts, it reads at the bottom of the dipsitck and 7 shows overfilled.
6.5 sits just right.

Either way if its 6 or 7, half a quart underfilled or overfilled is not big deal to me.

6 qts puts it just under the "full" line on my dipstick. This is after it's sat all night.

 

[adam1991]

"Priming" the oil after an oil change also wont make a single difference...

At the end of the day, I guess if it makes people warm and fuzzy inside to do either one, I'd say keep doing it.

but please, people, don't do it when the light turns green after your engine has been stopped for 90 seconds...

 

[crenca]

but please, people, don't do it when the light turns green after your engine has been stopped for 90 seconds...

I had wondered if filling your pre filling your oil filter by "priming" on the 2.3 would even be useful in a theoretical sense as the filter is mounted sideways (horizontally) on the engine. After changing the oil a couple of times now I can verify that it has plenty of oil in it when you screw it off. Two reasons that I can ascertain: 1) the paper/fiber filter and passage ways absorb/retain quite a bit, and 2) at least the brand I'm using has am anti-drain back valve mechanism.

This means that a first start after a change is different then any other one in that the circuit has to fill the filter whereas it does not every other time.

I'm the first to admit that prefilling/priming the filter during a change is definitely on the OCD spectrum as far as maintenance goes - any real benefits are small, but they are "proven" by some (in other engines) and with no downside why not.

One thing fer sur, discussing it sure seems to get under the skin of some. I get it to some degree, as there is plenty snake oil products in myths around car mechanics/maintenance in general, particularly around oil.

This is one reason why I run 7 qts. oil in my 2.7.... better mileage...

Want to expand upon why this should not be dismissed with a "correlation is not causation" quote?

 

[Rydfree]

I've used this oil extractor from Harbor Freight since 2007 with great results. Everything from lawn mowers , motorcycles, a couple Mercedes SUVs , Ford F-150 & Ranger, my tractor , and now my Ford Bronco with the 2.7 EcoBoost. As long as you select the proper diameter & length tube to reach the bottom of the oil pan it gets almost every drop out. If needed, making a custom length tube to fit down the dip stick hole is very easy as they are just normal compression fittings . Shop around because these are sold under various brand names and they just change the color of the tank. I've found them from $92-$379 ! I believe I paid $129 for this one when they 1st came out . I have also tried a couple different ones that are made out of plastic but you have to be very careful not to use them until the oil has cooled or the plastic warps and destroys itself. This one I use as soon as I get back home from a short trip uptown.

When the Bronco was delivered it showed oil just slightly above the top hole on the dipstick so that's what I fill it to also. The couple times I had the Ford dealership perform the service it showed the same. Roughly 6.2 qts in and that's also what I get out when using the vacuum extractor.

This short clip is simply to show what comes out of the pan after extraction.

 

[mikec426]

…is defiantly on the OCD spectrum…

I’d rather be complacently on the OCD spectrum.

 

[UncleBrad]

True. However, since it is so easy to do and there is actual measured evidence it makes a small difference in some circumstances on some engines, why not? At least 'why not' for the 1.2% (pulling a # out of the air - don't know what it actually is) of the population who like me do their own oil (and other) maintenance, do used oil analysis at least occasionally, and are otherwise geeks when it comes to their vehicles.

Would I recommend it to my friends and family who have Jiffy lube change their oil, and otherwise make many many other un/ill-informed decisions about their vehicles? Heck no, they have bigger things to focus on.

If I ever have a quick lube or dealer change my oil am I going to try to convince them to perform this very minor procedure? Heck no, they will more than likely screw it up causing a more serious problem.

For most folks just getting them to use a decent oil/filter for their circumstances and changing at regular intervals counts a whole lot more towards long term engine life...

Exactly. Also, I have concluded that - after over 50 years - it is better to change your own oil. You know what's in it, you know everything is torqued down, you save money and you actually SEE what's coming out of the sump. This may sound crude, but a wise man once told me why he changes his own oil: " Would you have another man service your woman?"

 

[MilesTeg]

"The Oil Geek" did some testing (actual measurements of wear metals, etc.) and found that filling your oil filter during a change before cranking the engine over helps cut wear metals, at least on some engines with low viscosity recommendations, like 0-20.

I have the 2.3L, so the oil filter is mounted sideways. Since filling it is not a real option, I "prime" or "dry crank" (flood clear - It goes by different names) the engine by holding the clutch & the gas all the way to the floor and holding the start button. The start turns the engine over without spark for about 10 seconds, which is enough to fill the oil filter up with oil. Then upon start, the oil filter being full, there is not a small amount of time where oil pressure is not getting to other areas of the engine (because the oil filter is being filled). Sure, the prime cranking is turning the engine over during this low/zero pressure period, but the relatively low rpms/load in theory means less (oil starved) surface wear is taking place.

Does it matter? In theory, but no one is going to "prove" it because the effort and cost is too high. Unintended consequences that are worse then just cranking your engine normally after an oil change? Maybe, but hard to imagine - no theory as of yet.

One thing fur sur, some folks think it is wholly unnecessary and of course they are right - doubtful the practice is helpful for most folks whose vehicles/engines die from other diseases...but for those of us who hope to keep it a long time it's a very small effort for possible real benefits.

Thanks. I've never seen this "priming" method for oil changes. I have a 3.5EB F-150 which also has a sideways mounted oil filter, and I've always just filled the thing about 3/4 then dealt with the spillage, on the theory that some oil in the filter is always better than none, hah.

I'm about to do my first oil change in my Bronco (manual, huzzah) so I will probably do the same AND then do this priming, because I am verified OCD, hah. I know it likely makes no difference, but it gives me peace of mind.

I always change my oil hot too, so even less reason to worry as there should be a very fresh oil film on everything.

 

[adam1991]

Also, I have concluded that - after over 50 years - it is better to change your own oil.

well, that has the benefit of not having a shop put your car up on Youtube for the "this guy hasn't changed his oil in 50 years" laughs.

 

[MilesTeg]

Exactly. Also, I have concluded that - after over 50 years - it is better to change your own oil. You know what's in it, you know everything is torqued down, you save money and you actually SEE what's coming out of the sump. This may sound crude, but a wise man once told me why he changes his own oil: " Would you have another man service your woman?"

Sage advice. Over 30 years, I've occasionally taken my vehicle to get oil changes for one reason or another (in a rush, pre-paid oil packages, etc.). Just about every time I've taken a vehicle to a service station, of any kind, something has gone wrong. Things from all over the spectrum of fail:

* overfilled oil (respected local oil place)
* double gasket (dealership)
* air filter not put back in (respected local oil place).
* zipper scratches on fender of brand new car (dealer)

Ironically, the only place I only ever got competent service was from JiffyLube. Though the sample size of 2-3 over 30 years is pretty small.

And, of course, the scummy attempts at upsales which I can confirm are repleat in the industry. No, the air filter I just replaced my own self last oil change is not the filth encrusted one you are showing me. Ain't even the right filter! Oh, "sometimes we mix up vehicles". Un-huh, sure buddy.

 

[MilesTeg]

I did my first oil change today in my 2.3l. For the filter, I tried going through the wheel well as is suggested, but I found that annoying as hell (I have a bad back and squatting/kneeling to reach in there is not fun).

Instead, I went underneath. To not get a face or arm full of oil, I wedged a tupperware where it would catch all the oil from the filter drain channel. Then I just went over the top of the channel and drive shaft, and used a filter wrench with no extension to loosen. Worked great!

My OCD made me prime the filter with oil even though it's installed on it's side. I noted that the old filter still was about 1/2 full after taking it off, so I filled the new one 1/2 full. Seemed to mostly stay in when I put it on. I only had a small bit of oil to clean up out of the channel after it.

I was reading a lot on this and other forums where guys were having problems with the oil capacity spec leading them to overfilling. I only got about 5.75 quarts out, so, to start I put only 5.75 quarts into the vehicle (my manual says 6). That put the oil just barely above the MIN hole and slightly into the crosshatch. I'll check again in the AM then probably put the last .25 quarts in. I've never seen a dipstick go from full to MIN with .25 quarts, so that's a bit weird. Is this how sensitive it is? I am sure of how much I put in because it was a 5qt + 1qt of PUP.

I also did the flood priming mentioned in this thread. I have a small addition to the advice: When you are done priming, make sure you let go of the start/stop button then wait a couple seconds before letting off the gas and/or clutch. I let off my throttle almost immediately after letting the button up, and the vehicle started because the button kept it cranking for a couple seconds (yay start/stop buttons?). Didn't really matter, of course, but was just not what I intended.

Finally: thank god the Bronco 2.3 EB doesn't have one of those damn POS plastic oil pans with plastic plugs that spew oil all over the damn place!

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