Change The Oil on a 3.7L V6 Ford Mustang
This awesome guide shows how to change engine oil on a 3.7 V6 Ford Mustang. It includes pictures, parts and all the tools needed. It covers the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 V6 Mustangs (some 5th generation and some 6th generation Mustangs).
There's nothing unusual about changing the oil on the v6 Mustang, but this article will cover the whole thing so you can easily buy the parts and tools you need before you get started.
The oil change interval is every 10,000 miles according to the service light. This interval requires a quality filter and synthetic oil. Some people change it more frequently, especially on the first oil change.
- 8mm and 15mm hex sockets and ratchet like My favorite: GearWrench
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Rhino Ramps or lower profile Race Ramps
- Funnel
- 6 quarts of 5w20 Synthetic Oil: Motorcraft Synthetic, Mobil1, Royal Purple, Castrol Edge
- 1 Oil Filter. Choose any of the following: Motorcraft FL500S, Mobil 1 M1-212, K&N PS-2011, FRAM XG10575, AC Delco PF63, Purolator PSL22500
Raise The Car
The stock v6 Mustang just barely fit on my normal ramps without rubbing, but it fit just fine.
Place the ramps in front of the front wheels, and very slowly and carefully drive onto the ramps. Note this takes some finesse, so don't be embarrassed if it takes you a couple of tries to do it right.
Just be sure not to drive off the end of the ramps, you'll have a bad day.
Drain The Oil
Locate the oil drain plug, it's on the passenger side of the oil pan, behind the oil service panel.
Place an oil catch pan under the plug and remove the oil drain plug using a 15mm hex socket.
Remove the Oil Service Panel
The Mustang has a pretty convenient service panel just under the front of the engine bay. This service panel swings out of the way so that you can reach the oil filter.
There are 3 x 8mm hex head bolts at the front of the panel that keep it in place. Remove those 3 bolts.
Once the 3 bolts are out, the panel sort of slides toward the back of the car a little bit and hinges down and out of the way.
Remove The Oil Filter
The oil filter is located on the front, driver's side of the engine block. You can see it (and possibly reach it) from above, but the service panel will allow you to inspect for leaks and much easier reach the filter for removal.
Using a strap wrench (maybe you prefer a cap wrench, or a claw wrench), grasp the body of the filter and rotate counter clock wise. Oil will drain out so be sure to catch it before it ends up all over the driveway.
Install The New Oil Filter
Clean the oil filter mount surface, and make sure there is no filter gasket left stuck to the engine.
Lube your new filter's gasket by smearing a dab of fresh engine oil on it.
Screw on the new filter. Tighten it as much as you can by hand without tools. This should be somewhere around 3/4 of a turn after the gasket touches the block (check your oil filter box for instructions).
Refill With New Oil
Remove the oil fill cap and insert an oil funnel. Pour in all 6 quarts of oil.
Make sure you tightened the drain plug and installed the new filter before this step.
Run The Engine for 30 Seconds
Make absolutely sure the engine is full of oil, the filter is tight, and the oil drain is tight.
Start the car for 30 seconds to get the system up to pressure and get the oil moving around the engine.
Turn the engine off when done.
Check the Oil Level And For Leaks
Look under the car, checking for leaks near the oil drain plug and new oil filter.
If there are no leaks, check the oil level using the oil dip stick.
Pull the stick, wipe it dry, re-insert, and check how far up the stick the oil reaches. It should be between the two dots on the end of the stick.
Close The Oil Service Panel
Now that you're sure there are no oil leaks, close the oil service panel under the car and re-install the 3 x 8mm bolts. They tighten to 9 ft.lbs.
Reset The Oil Service Light
The oil service reset is very simple to do. Here are the buttons on the steering wheel you'll use.
Turn the key to the on (doesn't have to be running) position. Then hit the setup button till you see the oil life screen. This was 2 presses for me.
When you see the oil life screen, hold the "Info Reset" button shown above till the oil life resets.
There are 4 Comments.
Say Something.Excellent instructions. I have the same ramps. They weren't working for me because I replaced my stock wheels with 18's from a 2008 GT. Had to use two 2x10's to compensate.. At least until I can get hold of new ramps.
Nice to see that someone took the time to layout a step by step oil change with photos and hardware sizes for those who want to try and have some skills. Not many people around like when I was young, working on cars and sharing knowledge to those interested and wanting to learn, Well done!
FYI... I have a 2014 V6 Mustang. This article calls for synthetic oil.??? The oil requirements per the owners manual states a Ford Part no./Spec. "WSS-M2C945-A" Ford's factory fill is a synthetic BLEND, and the dealers typically do push Motorcraft synthetic BLEND SAE 5W-20. Ford recommends the use of synthetic blend oil, but as long as the oil meets the requirements of WSS-M2C945-A, synthetic blend oil is NOT required to maintain the warranty on your engine.
Just my 2cents....sorry if you mentioned and I missed it. So...check the oil level on a flat surface not on the ramp.
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Written by:iturgeon
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