Getting ready to do the first oil change on my 08, 5.4l.

Is the oil filter going to be a PITA to remove, and if so, is there a "secret" to removing it without mangling it?

 

I've got the 5.4L (2004) and it's not bad. I would recommend getting the oil filter grooved cap that fits the filter and a ratchet. I do all my oil changes unless I have a coupon for the dealership.

 

I dont know if it is different than my 04, but if it is similar, unless they really cranked in on from the factory, it shouldnt be hard to get it off

 

Thanks for the replies!!! I feel better about it now as it's cooling off. I got one of the grooved oil filter wrenches that sits on the bottom...It's made out of some kind of plastic, and I'll use a 3/8" extension (6") and a ratchet...Do you think I'll need to use a u-joint at the end of the extension, or will it work straight?

 

I have owned a lot of new cars and trucks in my life (not bragging) and they all are a pain in the *** to take off the first time. I got the 3 or 4 pronged grip from sears I think, and it works well.

 

Draining as I speak. Filter came right off, and I'll put a little oil in it, and rub some on the gasket before installing the new one. I used a motorcraft filter since I read somewhere they have a check valve in them to prevent them from leaking down. The oil stunk though. I've been running E85 most of the time, and it definitely smelled different than used gassed oil. Still looked new though. 5000 miles on it.

 

you got lucky. It took me almost 2 hours to get that POS off my truck. I did my first oil change at about 1k miles. I would have gladly paid somebody $30.

oh well, how bad was the oil at 5K?

my oil was pitch black and nasty at 1K. 21K right now and it comes out just slightly darker than it went in at every oil change...about 3K between changes

 

Nope, my oil looked brand-spanking new, minus the odor from running about 50% E85 for 5000 miles. Supposed to be able to go 7500 miles between oil changes in the 08's...That's out of the manual, and there isn't a different schedule for E85 either...

 

I don't care what the manual says. I would not go over 5,000 miles. I personally change all of my cars and trucks at around 3,000k. I figure when you have an investment as big as a new truck, why take any risk with something as cheap and easy as oil?

 

I agree with you Michael. 7500 just seems a little long for a semi-syn oil. I think 5000 is fine for most people, but I think 7500 encourages negligence. Someone thinks it's good for that long might never even bother to check the oil.

 

My aunt had a 1996 Pontiac Montana that she let go over 65,000 miles before she changed the oil. She didn't realize that you even had to do that. I thought the van was driving sluggish so I asked her when the last time she had it changed. She never had it changed. Man that stuff was thicker than an syrup when I finally drained it out.

Ever since then, I have never let one go over 5,000 miles

 

When I change the oil on my moms 5.4 (expy) I usually have to stab a screw driver through the filter to get it off.

 

changed the oil on my brother's 07'. Piece of cake. But then again compared to the one on the lincoln, most probably aren't too bad.

 

Whats the miles an oil filter is rated for? I think the oil can go for more the 3000miles but the filter would get pluged up. What would fail first the oil or the filter?

 

The filter will usually fail first. Ideally, if you had a perfect filter, you would never have to change your oil. They have filters now that are rated for 7500 miles but I don't know how well they work.

Superduty_untouchable: you can get a claw to remove the filters at Sears for like 10 bucks. It attaches on to a ratchet. They work amazing.