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First Oil Change - What came out?

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2025 Explorer ST - Vapor Blue
#1
Greetings all.

I believe this is my first post on the forum, I’ve been trolling around since my wife got her new 2025 ST on the last day of January. I just completed my first oil change (1,479 miles) and used a fluid extractor to do so.

Questions I have are as follows - first, how much is oil does everyone seem to be getting out of the engine at the first change? Second, for those of you who have used an extractor on these vehicles, I’m feeling something stop or catch the tube on the way down. It was my original stopping point when I began extraction - but I stopped getting oil after around 4 quarts. I gently pulled the tube up by 2-3” and reinserted, this time it seemed to catch once again and then continue down what felt like several more inches. I was then able to get another 1.25 - 1.5 quarts or so and that was it.

Based on what was in my extractor, best guess is I got 5.25 - 5.5 quarts plus whatever was in the filter. Upon refilling I added 5.5 quarts, checked the dipstick, took the car for a mile and a half or so drive and stopped the engine. After letting it sit for 5-7 minutes I checked it again and it was roughly 1/3 of the way into the crosshairs on the stick. I then added the last half quart.

I’ve used this same extractor on multiple vehicles in the past and don’t remember having that feeling like I was hitting something on the way down with the tube.

I’m running a Motorcraft FL-2062-A filter and AMSOIL Signature 5W-30.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

View attachment IMG_1424.jpeg
 

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#2
I've never used an extractor, to each is their own I guess. If you had any question you possibly weren't getting all of the oil out, you should have puller the drain pan plug to be sure, especially on the first change so you get as much break-in bebris out.as possible.

It holds 6 quarts but lots of people like to run at 6 1/2 quarts which includes me as well. I never check the dipstick right after changing my oil, I know what ih holds and I know how much I put in.
 

OP
T
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Thread Starter #3
I've never used an extractor, to each is their own I guess. If you had any question you possibly weren't getting all of the oil out, you should have puller the drain pan plug to be sure, especially on the first change so you get as much break-in bebris out.as possible.

It holds 6 quarts but lots of people like to run at 6 1/2 quarts which includes me as well. I never check the dipstick right after changing my oil, I know what ih holds and I know how much I put in.
I didn’t have a concern as to whether I was getting it all out once I got the extra quart and a half or so after the initial four quarts. It is not uncommon when using an extractor to be a quarter to a half quart short of the full fill amount of the engine. This amount is insignificant if the oil and filter are changed at the recommended interval.

Any significant debris would be caught by the filter. The drain plug is plastic and has no magnet attached or imbedded, so it’s not catching any debris. The vast majority of any break in metals (usually bearing material) are going to be small enough to be held in suspension by the viscosity of the oil; these particles are not going to settle out fast enough to be sitting on the bottom of the pan if you are removing the oil when it is at operating temperature shortly after the engine is stopped.

Checking the oil level after a completed oil change is habit for me. I’ve been in and out of literally dozens of dealerships and independently owned shops over the years and I’ve seen the techs who do it for a living do the same.

I am aware the engine holds 6 quarts; I’m asking what people are draining on the first change because I’ve read numerous times that owners have discovered the transmission fluid is low from the factory. If the transmission fluid is low on some of these vehicles, it may be plausible that other fluids may not have been filled to the proper level before leaving the factory. It would be nice if dealers were catching these issues during pre delivery inspection, if they’re even completing them.
 

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#4
You may have gotten all the oil that was in the pan at the time you pulled it out. These engines take 15, perhaps 20 minutes for all the oil to drain back into the pan. So it depends on how long after the engine was turned off did it set before draining?

I checked my oil level the day after I got it home, and it was spot on where it should have been.I got a full 6 quarts from the first and every subsequent oil change I've performed. My first change was at 500 miles, the next at 3000 miles and at 3000 mile intervals since then.

I'm not buying, the leaving a half quart in the pan as being acceptable, that's roughly 8% of the oil capacity. By the same token, I wouldn't torque my heads at 8% below specification, but that is probably just me. There is a right way and a wrong way to most everything mechanical. I'm also not a believer in the manufacturer "recommended" oil change interval being in the best interest of these little twin spinner bullets. Sure, it will get you through their warranty period, but after that point, they couldn't care less how your engine holds up. They recommend long intervals because it makes it appear the cost of ownership to be less. It's marketing.

This all said, that topic has been covered ad nauseam on this forum, so I'll not start down that road in your thread. The best advice I can give anyone on the oil change topic is, find an oil that you like and change it regularly and often.
 

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