Total Noob, question prior to first oil change

[racsan]

Yes, on a taurus it aint bad, in fact you can fit a larger FL-1A filter on instead of the 400-S (or whatever # it was) . You cant do that with a 3.0 in a ranger chassis. I tried-once.

 

[ThermionicEmissions]

Thanks for all the tips, folks! First oil change done. Feels good! +1 on accessing the filter from the wheel well. At least for cleaning the filter interface and reinstalling. Next time I may try removing from below to avoid spilling so much oil from the filter.

 

[sickwilly]

FWIW, I have a pair of gloves with the rubber grip palm that i use to screw/unscrew the filter with. As long as the filter is not greasy you can get a good grip. A filter end socket would probably work too, never tried. I also turn the filter upright and pull it thru the top.

 

[ThermionicEmissions]

FWIW, I have a pair of gloves with the rubber grip palm that i use to screw/unscrew the filter with. As long as the filter is not greasy you can get a good grip. A filter end socket would probably work too, never tried. I also turn the filter upright and pull it thru the top.

I used some heavy duty rubber gloves, and a fram filter that has a rubberized coating on the bottom. Perhaps I'll try from the top next time.

 

[sickwilly]

I used some heavy duty rubber gloves, and a fram filter that has a rubberized coating on the bottom. Perhaps I'll try from the top next time.

My hands and wrist aren’t that big, its works for me. I just got tired of trying to fit a regular filter wrench in there. Thought about dot grip gloves one day and been using them ever since. You just have to find what works for you.

 

[19Walt93]

I'd recommend a better filter next time. An oil filter wrench is cheap and useful.

 

[Dirtman]

If you need tools to take the filter off, it was on too tight...

 

[19Walt93]

If you need tools to take the filter off, it was on too tight...

Or you have 66 year old mechanics hands with arthritis.

 

[Dirtman]

You go take some Aleve and call me in the morning!

 

[sgtsandman]

If you need tools to take the filter off, it was on too tight...

On some engines, it’s a must. If I don’t tighten the filter on the 2011 so that a tool is needed to remove it. It will work loose and leak. It’s the only vehicle I’ve had like that.

 

[pjtoledo]

I mark the new filters and tighten to between 3/4 and 1 turn, closer to 1 if I can, by hand.
for removal on the 3.0 Ranger I use the band style tool that self tightens, with a modification.
grabbed a punch and added about 20 inward facing dimples. they dig in for a good grip to easily remove the filter.
then it comes out the top. I got tired of kissing dirty tires while going in thru the side.


for removing the filter on a 2.3 Duratec I have one of those 3 legged self tightening gizmos. they fit any filter.

 

[19Walt93]

You go take some Aleve and call me in the morning!

If you think Aleve will touch it you've never had arthritis. Using Aleve, Advil,or Tylenol for arthritis is like using your Fiesta to tow a loaded F550. I hope you never experience it.

 

[Dirtman]

I was joking Walt, I do know how much arthritits sucks. I have arthritis in my knee caused by a rattle snake bite years ago. The only thing that works is getting extremely painful injections directly into the joint with steroids and some kind of lube goo. They barely work and only last a couple weeks then it's back to limping.

 

[sickwilly]

I'd recommend a better filter next time. An oil filter wrench is cheap and useful.

For as bad as their filters supposedly are, they were the first to actually put a grip surface on the filter, go figure.

 

[19Walt93]

The contents of the filter housing are more important than do-it-yourselfer friendly gimmicks on the outside.