Did the first oil change on my 2021 Ranger 4wd today. Had a heck of a time spotting the oil filter believe it or not! Finally realized you have to go in through the LH wheelwell and remove the fasteners on the flap that hides the view and access to the filter. In the process several thoughts came to mind. If the retainers need to be replaced, our dealership does not stock them. I know because when I had one of the rear inner wheel wells off I discovered most of the same retainers were stripped (plastic screw and plastic "wings"). I had to drill out the screws because they would not back out having been stripped. The dealer could order them at almost $4 apiece. I went to a supply house and got better ones for 10 cents apiece. Fortunately none of the originals were stripped, but I am not impressed with them, as they seem to be one time use.

Ok, my thought process continues. What does the oil change person at the dealership do if any of these fasteners need to be replaced? Just leave them out? What if the owner takes his Ranger to a quickie oil change place? Hard to believe they could cope with any satisfactory repair if the fasteners don't survive being removed by whatever method is employed. The above is why I like to do my own oil changes and not entrust them to the dealer or worse yet the oil change places, which I have never used anyway.

 

Ford used the same type of fasteners and flap on the first gen ecoboost trucks. You need to unfasten and move a portion of the flap to get to the oil filter but instead of through the wheel well, you do it from the front under the bumper. I think it's a total PITA but mine is a 2011 and no issues with the fasteners or flap. My oil has only been changed by two different ford dealers and myself.

 

Ford definitely needs a better idea! Single use fasteners in this area is stupid.

As far as the quickie oil change shops go, they would probably just not change the filter, making your oil change extra quick 😀.

 

I can certainly envision that happening! Would it not be interesting to have a video camera recording routine oil changes. Posted on YouTube would be very entertaining.