We Got It Wrong About the Ford Ranger's Oil Change Procedure

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

If you’re holding off on purchasing a new Ford Ranger based on what you read here last Thursday, consider this a green light for your trip to the dealership. The new-for-2019 Ranger does not — repeat, does not — require the removal of the left front wheel in order to access the oil filter.

Drawing from a source with knowledge of Ford service procedures, our January 3rd story stated that the oil filter on the 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder found in all U.S.-market Rangers would be removed by technicians via the left front wheel well, necessitating the removal of the wheel. Not true, according to Dawn McKenzie, Ford’s North American product communications manager for trucks and commercial vehicles.

While the written process provided to us listed the removal of a LF wheel arch access panel, held in place by nine fasteners, Ford North American product communications manager Mike Levine states only three fasteners need to be removed in order to peel back the flap to access the oil filter. The wheel does not have to be removed to facilitate this. You’ll want the wheel hard over, though.

It’s a procedure similar to that of overseas models equipped with the 3.2-liter diesel.

So, with that said, apologies to Ford for the error and to our readers.

[Image: Ford]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Jalop1991 Jalop1991 on Jan 07, 2019

    all you pansies. Old farts remember the 1980 Turbo Trans-Am. I win.

    • Nels0300 Nels0300 on Jan 07, 2019

      I win, I worked at Jiffy Lube for 8 years....or does that mean I lose? Lol. But yeah, a bunch of pansies. I had exhaust flex plate patterns burned into my arm. 2.2L Cavaliers, 3.8L W body regals, older Nissan Pathfinders, MR2 turbos, I’ve done all of the pain in the butt filters from the 80s-early 90s. This filter location really isn’t a big deal. Access through wheel well. Sounds like the old Toyota 4Runners.

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Jan 07, 2019

    Where EBFlex is hiding? He usually is all over the place when it comes to Ford and Ecoboost. I miss him (not really).

  • Kamiller42 Kamiller42 on Jan 08, 2019

    Bad reports are like gossip. Once out, it's hard to take back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OmBXWA0Rfc

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Jan 08, 2019

    I would like to see a video on the Ranger to see how to change the oil and get to the filter. I am sure someone will find a simpler way to get to the oil filter and remove it.

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