How to change your own oil DIY Ford Explorer

[Haoleplumber94]

The oil change light is the best part. Just like you said "THE So CALLED PRO'S" like jiffy lube ECT. Don't know how to reset light. So right after you get oil changed every time you

Start your car it says CHANGE OIL in big orange letters. You made. It easy. Thanks BRO

[jayguy173]

does your 4.0 use 5w-20 or 5w-30 in that year

[itneverwasme]

I've always filled my filter with oil before installing to prevent the little oil starvation at start-up. Is this worth it or am I wasting time?

[roadragecustoms]

@itneverwasme It isn't a bad thing to do. It is an easy habit to get out of. There are many vehicles that don't have vertical filters. On these, you'd be pouring out the oil while you install the filter.

[priceless43615]

Would this same method work on a 2001 Ford exporer sport?

[roadragecustoms]

@priceless43615 It should be very similar.

[Chyne20]

Can u do a vid on transmission fluid change?

[roadragecustoms]

@Chyne20 Yes, as soon as I get one in that is due for trans fluid, I'll make a video.

[mastermasterchief]

hey dummy! ever thought about using a new carterplug ALWAYS when you change your oil? and when you start your engine a few seconds before you want to check your oil level, you will never get the right oil level! you have to wait some time till your oil has lowered..

[ji553r]

great vid man i got a 05 im about to change the oil

[hischomper]

Awesome! Thank you so much! This helped me teach my mom how to change the oil in her car :)

[roadragecustoms]

@hischomper Thanks for watching. So, were you like, "Happy Mother's Day. Here's oil & a filter. Go change your own oil."?

[newballin]

would this work on my 2000 mercury mountaineer?

[roadragecustoms]

@newballin It should be pretty similar.

[TimmyPalin]

@roadragecustoms would this also work on a 1999 f150 4.6?

[roadragecustoms]

@TimmyPalin The oil filter location may be different, but it should be similar.

[johntall124]

hey I was wondering how I could change the transmission oil on an 04 Ford Explorer?

[roadragecustoms]

@johntall124 Draining the fluid is easy. Remove the drain plug. To check fluid level correctly requires a scan tool to verify trans temp of 80 - 120F. Then, vehicle specific adapters are required along with a pump to inject the fluid into the hole in the drain plug. It is a plug in a plug. If you don't have a scanner or the tools to check & adjust the fluid level, it's cheaper to pay someone to do it.

[johntall124]

@roadragecustoms awesome. thanks

[nemock]

Great video--how about one on pulling the radiator and replacing it?

[roadragecustoms]

@nemock If I had a vehicle that needed one, I'd o it.

[TheCrazychick90]

hey the way u changed the oil could i do it to a 97 V8 ford explorer? or is it diff

[roadragecustoms]

@TheCrazychick90 They are very similar.

[clock143]

what kind of oil did you use? i have an 03 explorer v6 flex fuel. i've been reading threads about switching from 5w30 to 5w20 for a smoother running engine, better gas mileage and fewer changes. any truth to that? id appreciate any info.

[roadragecustoms]

@clock143 I wouldn't change it less often unless it was synthetic. I also wouldn't use thinner than recommended on an engine with 70,000 miles or more. I was using Valvoline. I don't recall if I used 5/30, or 5/20. But, yes, in theory, 5/20 should give better fuel economy.

[clock143]

@roadragecustoms thanks. so is synthetic better? right now my trucks at 134k. i drive A LOT. im going to do the oil change today. i bought 5w30 but if synthetic 5w20 is better and saves gas i'll put that in instead.

[roadragecustoms]

@clock143 With 134k, I'd use what you bought. The minimal fuel mileage improvement of thinner oil won't compensate for the thicker oil's ability to fill voids left by engine wear. Too thin of an oil with high mileage can shorten the life of the engine. Stick with what's on the cap now, and later you may have to move up to a thicker oil, maybe 10/40 if you start to have engine noise.

[clock143]

@roadragecustoms hey thanks i appreciate the info. i figured i'd stick with whats on the cap so i already threw in the 5w30. thanks again

[clock143]

@roadragecustoms the oil cap says 5w30 but online and all ford forums i read that ford now recommends 5w20 on all vehicles after 01. i've looked up threads on it and find a mixed bag of reviews. my trucks got 134k on it. i drive A LOT. would it be better to run 5w20 synthetic or stick to whats on the cap?

[ozmedia]

@clock143 One your explorer is over 100K miles it's best not to use symthetic oils. The detergents in synthetic oils will slowly eat away at the grunge that is now sealing older gaskets and will often result in seepage.

I only use synthetics when changin oil in newer cars (after break in period) and the only synth I'd use is Mobile1...well MAYBE Rroyal Purple if that's all that's around.TIP: Avoid synthetic trans fluid in older Explorers too. It wears at the stator and creates converter slip.

[LatinTaxii]

hey dude thanks for the video, could you explaind me why the O/D OFF light is flashing every time??? what should i do?? i have an Explorer 1995 4.0

Thanks from Mexican Caribean

[roadragecustoms]

@LatinTaxii You probably have a transmission that is starting to fail. Scan the computer for codes related to the transmission. Watch the engine speed compared to the vehicle speed. The transmission may be slipping. The last Explorer I had with the same problem got a new transmission.

[ozmedia]

@LatinTaxii Converter slippage is very common. Synthetic trans fluid will increase slippage too. The Ex's have a common issue where either the TCC or EPC solenoid read excessive slippage, replacing the valve body solenoids at $60 ea saves you a rebuild or new trans. O/D flashing is addressed by a ford TSB, gasket separates. $50 for a bonded gasket and cover plate,most shops will tell you you need a new tranny. Explorerforum for details. Disconnect battery for 10 mins to reset O/D light.

[roadragecustoms]

@ozmedia The one I worked on had a failed EPC solenoid. Thay drove it until it wouldn't pull. I started by replacing the solenoid, fluid & filter.  I finished with a new trans & TC when it didn't work afterward.

[ozmedia]

@roadragecustoms Yup EPC is the $60 fix, teh TCC is righ beside it so it is usually swapped out too (often mistaken for slipping trans because input shaft speed is shown to be slipping but is generally a TCC issue ($60 solenoid again). It's easiest to but a $299 rebuilt valve body with Sonnax upgrade and bonded gasket, It'll run like new after that. Having worked in a trans shop, 90% of the recommended replacements ($3500+)were issues that would normally be a $300-$400 job, Not up to me though.

[TheShadowCaptain]

thanks dude, this saved me some money.

[greyyfz450]

can you show how to do a transmission fluid and filter swap? how do you do one my 03 Explorer doesn't have a transmission fluid level dip stick!

[roadragecustoms]

@greyyfz450 I don't have an '03 Ford available right now. To check fluid level correctly requires a scan tool to verify trans temp of 80 - 120F. Then, vehicle specific adapters are required along with a pump to inject the fluid into the hole in the drain plug. It is a plug in a plug. If an '03 comes in for a filter, I'll buy the tools & make a video.

[virago98]

heyy you need to fill the filter oil before install. if you start engine with not oil in filter there is a time that engine run without lubricate.

for next time fill filter with 1/4 of oil then install.

[youpaynow78]

next month i need change my oil my 97 ford explorer v-6 it nice and hot outside weather is crazy here phila pa

[sutluc1]

I like to prefill the oil filter, myself.

[rs1351]

This was SO helpful! Thank you!

[bordenarve]

Nice video. I'll try this with my 05 Escape. Thanks

[jamc1423]

that will be cool did i metion i have a 3.4l and trans that may need a home in a buggy of sorts

[jamc1423]

you should look to your side and do a video with that bender over there

[roadragecustoms]

Between your bender and my Mustang, all I need is tubing before I can make a nice roll cage video!

[marius032278]

I've been trying to take the oil filter out of my 4.6 '06 Explorer and I just can't turn it an inch. It's way too tight. I've tried using pliers but it's too tight to get pliers in there. I've only tried it with my hands so far. Is there another way other than taking it to a mechanic. Thank you.

[roadragecustoms]

Auto parts stores and tool dealers sell cups that fit the bottom of the oil filter (different size for each part number) and can be rotated with an extension and a ratchet. If the filter is already crushed from trying to get it with pliers, or even if it isn't, there is also a tool called an oil filter claw that fits multiple sizes of oil filters and tightens it's grip on the filter as you rotate it counter-clockwise with a ratchet and extension to remove the filter. Hope that helps.

[dukeboy11134]

in the description it says DOHC but its actually SOHC right?

[roadragecustoms]

You're right. Thanks. I'll change the description. There is no dual overhead cam 4.0L Explorers. I had it right in the tags but not in the description. I can't type and the "d" is next to the "s".