I had a thought because it seems like it is going to be a little more difficult to change my oil on the ST than it was on my 2017 Explorer. Any chance you can drain the oil by pulling it through the top of the engine, either through the dipstick or the filter housing, maybe through a siphoning system?
Having done the oil change myself already, I can tell you that it isn't exactly difficult, but it IS slightly more awkward just from the positioning of everything.
The only real awkward stuff underneath is that there is a small plate that you have to remove to access the oil pan drain plug, and that small plastic shield/plate is held in place by about 5 small bolts and 5 plastic clips (serious overkill for a piece of plastic this size). Some people complain about Ford's new plastic tool-free drain plug but I used it and it is fine - don't make the mistake some people have made and break the plug by trying to use tools to remove it - it IS tool-free. When you go to untwist it, it will take a bit of extra force for the the locking tabs to overcome their little recesses and pop free, but apart from that it is very easy to remove the plug by just using your bare hand and turning it by its built-in handle. The only caution I would make here is that it only has to turn about 1/2 a turn or so before it's ready to come out - you'll see why when you have it in your hand, it's not regular threads but more like the threads on the engine oil filler cap - so have your drain pan ready and wear a glove if you don't want to get oil on your hand and everywhere else. It will come out at a fair velocity because the hole is a decent size.
The only issues up top are the just the awkward placement of the stabilizer cross bar thing. It's right over top of the oil filter housing and mostly over top of the oil filler cap. But with the right combination of socket, swivel joint, extension, and ratchet, it can be done. Once you get the oil filter housing out, the filter might stick on the housing but it comes off with some twisting and pulling. The tiny o-rings on the end of the slightly phallic post that goes up the middle of the oil filter can be tricky to remove and replace, but a pocket screwdriver and pre-lubing them with some engine oil will be your best friend. Patience here. Also, it is best to remove the oil filter first or at least open the housing - this lets oil in the housing drain down into the sump so that when you drain the oil pan, you won't leave behind a couple hundred millilitres of old oil in the system. I worked in an oil change pit for 8 years and I saw how much came out when people released the oil filters after I had already drained the oil pan - it's enough that you should make sure to do it right.
After that, really, you just need a decently long-neck funnel on an angle to get the oil into the oil filler.
Mildly awkward but still doable by anyone with basic tools and basic skills. Two-beer job at most.
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