New 2025 Ford Explorer ST

[Jk3labs]

My wife and I traded in our 2013 Ford explorer for the 2025 ST 2 1/2 weeks ago. We love it so far. Exited to see what others have done and any tips.
I want to do an oil change here soon and was wondering if anyone has done their own and how it is compared to older models and if any tips?
Thanks everyone

 

[STeiner]

The oil change is pretty standard. There is an underbody cover you will need to remove first. The main issue people have is the plastic oil plug is different than you are probably used to on a standard metal oil pan. Why Ford used a plastic pan and plug, we can only guess.

I go a different route and use the extraction method, bypassing having to lift the vehicle and deal with underbody covers and plastic plugs that might get damaged and leak. I bought an extractor for $60 and remove the oil through the dip stick tube in the engine. We can complete the entire oil change in the engine bay because our oil filters are located on top. Here's a picture of me extracting the oil from the top.Then I simply change the oil filter and add more oil, and done. There are plenty of youtube videos showing this method. It's faster, safer, and there's less mess. The only drawback is you have to purchase the extractor one time for around $60.

 

[KNTRDR]

The oil change is pretty standard. There is an underbody cover you will need to remove first. The main issue people have is the plastic oil plug is different than you are probably used to on a standard metal oil pan. Why Ford used a plastic pan and plug, we can only guess.

I go a different route and use the extraction method, bypassing having to lift the vehicle and deal with underbody covers and plastic plugs that might get damaged and leak. I bought an extractor for $60 and remove the oil through the dip stick tube in the engine. We can complete the entire oil change in the engine bay because our oil filters are located on top. Here's a picture of me extracting the oil from the top.Then I simply change the oil filter and add more oil, and done. There are plenty of youtube videos showing this method. It's faster, safer, and there's less mess. The only drawback is you have to purchase the extractor one time for around $60.
View attachment 29508

Do you find you can get all of the oil out by this method? Been considering this myself.

 

[Blue Beast]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[STeiner]

Do you find you can get all of the oil out by this method? Been considering this myself.

I'd say you can get 99% of the oil out. The extractor creates suction much like drinking soda through a straw. And when you get to the bottom it makes that same sucking sound like when your cup is empty.
You'll want to perform the oil change when the engine is warm so any debris is distributed in the oil and not sitting at the bottom of the pan.
This method is a game changer for me, I used to dread having to jack up the car safely, remove the under body panel, deal with oil collection and mess. Now, it's literally a 15 minute process with no mess, and much safer.
Here's a 2min video, showing how easy it is.

And here's a link to the extractor that I use, which works awesome and runs about $45.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2361156785...1zFgnTlPIvc9WRcJ7NNndLMzs=|tkp:Bk9SR-rJ1cvuZQ

 

[KNTRDR]

I'd say you can get 99% of the oil out. The extractor creates suction much like drinking soda through a straw. And when you get to the bottom it makes that same sucking sound like when your cup is empty.
You'll want to perform the oil change when the engine is warm so any debris is distributed in the oil and not sitting at the bottom of the pan.
This method is a game changer for me, I used to dread having to jack up the car safely, remove the under body panel, deal with oil collection and mess. Now, it's literally a 15 minute process with no mess, and much safer.
Here's a 2min video, showing how easy it is.

And here's a link to the extractor that I use, which works awesome and runs about $45.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236115678545?_skw=vevor+oil+extractor&itmmeta=01JXTBNCKDY9Q6C0AQBCXBGJ0F&hash=item36f9975551:g:71EAAOSwfE9oLzPU&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1e+TQ7PseJCVNESYuXCJKz9qzedHni+fod8PKj5XR4/Bn/I2VleH+6E+l28n1xxjC8HmA+hYdHUabFlQqPSnM24JMZWyHcFNe24dMPZD+yegXIb1J2QGT9FZvA6Gk/kgLiNeOQDncARpSc7CnicjZgN2YEptIpCGu7/42XZu0xh6RDPM3PVxr9Bla/+A4EaLK7Tg5PBQ/ic8Z3d1C/7fzoCaI5bHcddA8xiVIVL6S1zFgnTlPIvc9WRcJ7NNndLMzs=|tkp:Bk9SR-rJ1cvuZQ

Thanks, appreciate that. I was a lube tech for 8 years until I changed careers and haven’t been able to service my own stuff since due to not having any space to do any of my own work. This might solve that problem.

 

[Caster]

I've never done an oil extraction. For me, I never saw a need to do it that way. Anyway, I'd be curious to pull the drain plug after an extraction to see how much oil comes out to see if the extraction method gets as much out as just pulling the drain plug.

 

[KNTRDR]

I've never done an oil extraction. For me, I never saw a need to do it that way. Anyway, I'd be curious to pull the drain plug after an extraction to see how much oil comes out to see if the extraction method gets as much out as just pulling the brain plug.

Would definitely be an interesting experiment.

 

[Caster]

Just realized I typed brain plug instead of drain plug . I fixed it!!

 

[KNTRDR]

Just realized I typed brain plug instead of drain plug . I fixed it!!

Meh…pretty sure we’ve all taken out our brain plug once or twice lol

 

[STeiner]

FWIW, the extractor shows how many liters you have extracted, it has measurements on the side.
You also know how many liters it took to fill it to the recommended fill line on the dip stick.

Keep in mind, you're never going to drain everything, even if you pull the plug. There is oil everywhere in engine, the oil filter assembly is loaded with oil that doesn't come out, even during conventional oil changes. That's what the new oil filter is for, any debris that's left and the future debris.
Worrying about a few ounces of leftover oil that gets saturated with almost 6 quarts of new oil is not worth it.
Hope that makes sense, I have no qualms using this method on my $60k investment, and there are plenty of European luxury cars and hyper cars that only use this method.

 

[STeiner]

just pulling the drain plug.

No offense, but you make it sound trivial "just pulling the drain plug".

Pulling the drain plug requires jacking the vehicle and securing with jack stands or using ramps. Removing the underbody panel with tools. Carefully placing a catch pan so you don't spill oil all over the place. Removing the plastic oil plug which is clipped and tightened to the pan. Draining the oil. Replacing the oil plug without damaging the plastic oil pan, making sure it's not over tightened, cross threaded, and properly clipped. Re-installing the underbody panel. Cleaning up the mess. Laying on your back under a 4000lb vehicle during the whole process. Removing jack stands and lowering the vehicle.

Sure, you may get an extra ounce of oil out, but you still didn't get it all.
That's what the new oil filter you put in is for.
The whole point is you get to skip all of that and it's much safer.