dslai Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Hi, I'm going to be doing an oil change myself for the first time on my 2011 Ford Fusion SE 2.4L. Had a few questions. - I'm planning to get plastic car ramps to elevate the car. Would the $60 Harbor Freight ones at https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/ramps/13000-lb-gvwr-capacity-portable-vehicle-ramp-set-63956.html work ok or are there better ones? I also need to be able to use the car ramps for a 2015 Honda Odyssey. What should I look for in getting good quality car ramps? - I know that the oil filter for the car is FL-910S. When I enter my VIN into the ford parts web site and browse on oil filters (https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/filters/oil-filters), it shows me two compatible oil filters with part numbers "FL910SB12 (BE8Z6731AC)" and "FL910S (BE8Z6731AB)". What's the difference between these and is one of them preferred over the other? - I've read that when doing oil changes, it's recommended to replace the washer/gasket around the drain plug bolt. I think they are usually made of metal. I'm trying to find which part I need to do this replacement. Is it the one for part number F5TZ6734BA (https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/transmission/powertrain-engine-parts/engine-oil-drain-plug-gasket-engine-oil-pan-drain-plug-gasket-227-mm-p-f5tz6734ba?pdp=y)? This seems to be made of rubber though so I'm wondering does it really need to be replaced. - I was looking at the oil drain plugs for my car and came across part numbers F6TZ6730BA (https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/transmission/powertrain-engine-parts/engine-oil-drain-plug-engine-oil-pan-drain-plug-22mm-m14-x-15-p-f6tz6730ba?pdp=y) and EJ7Z6730B (https://parts.ford.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/us/transmission/powertrain-engine-parts/engine-oil-drain-plug-engine-oil-pan-drain-plug-m12-x-175-p-ej7z6730b?pdp=y). The Ford site says that both of these are compatible for my car, but how can this be if they have different diameters (M14 vs M12)? Also, in the photos for both, they seem to include a green or black rubber gasket under the bolt head. Is this equivalent to the the gasket for part number F5TZ6734BA? I don't think I need to replace the oil drain plug, but just trying to understand if I should replace the gasket for the plug each time I do an oil change and if so, how to get this gasket (e.g. would I need to buy the oil drain plug if I wanted to replace the gasket for it in case the gasket isn't sold separately)? Thanks in advance for any help with these questions. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuser Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Hey, Ramps - While those ramps may be good, they are like mine and do not get the car up high enough. Check out the ones at Walmart or auto parts stores. Oil Filter - Since I got my 2012 SE have always bought the MotorCraft filter at Walmart. While it may cost a little more, I just wanted my new car in 2011 to have the MotorCraft oil and filter. And maybe it does not make any difference. Have been told all oil filters are the same. Some of the more expensive oil filters have more stuff inside to supposedly filter the oil better. Also buy the MotorCraft blend motor oil at Walmart. When changing the filter compare it to the old one. Make sure the seal is the same size and the filter should spin on easily. Oil plug - Do not have a separate gasket on the oil plug of my 2012 Fusion SE. It has a washer head with a gasket or rubber like washer under the head. That seal does not come off the plug. Check out the ones at Advance Auto. The cheaper version has a plastic seal with it. Have used the same plug since the get go. Changed the oil again this past Friday. If ye feel like you need to get a new oil plug, order from Advance or Auto Zone. Take your time changing the oil. Think twice. And while you are at it, check the fluid levels. You will feel better about your car doing the work yourself and maybe yourself too. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dslai Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 22 hours ago, Fuser said: Hey, Ramps - While those ramps may be good, they are like mine and do not get the car up high enough. Check out the ones at Walmart or auto parts stores. Oil Filter - Since I got my 2012 SE have always bought the MotorCraft filter at Walmart. While it may cost a little more, I just wanted my new car in 2011 to have the MotorCraft oil and filter. And maybe it does not make any difference. Have been told all oil filters are the same. Some of the more expensive oil filters have more stuff inside to supposedly filter the oil better. Also buy the MotorCraft blend motor oil at Walmart. When changing the filter compare it to the old one. Make sure the seal is the same size and the filter should spin on easily. Oil plug - Do not have a separate gasket on the oil plug of my 2012 Fusion SE. It has a washer head with a gasket or rubber like washer under the head. That seal does not come off the plug. Check out the ones at Advance Auto. The cheaper version has a plastic seal with it. Have used the same plug since the get go. Changed the oil again this past Friday. If ye feel like you need to get a new oil plug, order from Advance or Auto Zone. Take your time changing the oil. Think twice. And while you are at it, check the fluid levels. You will feel better about your car doing the work yourself and maybe yourself too. Thanks for your reply. On the ramps, can you point to any specific plastic ramps that are better? The auto shops around me basically all have $60-$65 RhinoRamps (same ones at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0117EETEK). For the oil filter, I am planning to get a Motorcraft one. Ford lists two different FL910S filter models that are supposed to be compatible for my 2011 Fusion. Not sure if your 2012 uses the same, but trying to understand what's the difference between the two Motorcraft models. For the oil drain plug, does yours look like the one at https://parts.ford.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/us/transmission/powertrain-engine-parts/engine-oil-drain-plug-engine-oil-pan-drain-plug-m12-x-175-p-ej7z6730b?pdp=y? This is one is silver colored with a green washer/gasket underneath the head. Based on the diagram on the page for the oil drain plug, it looks like the plug goes into a different black gasket part (that I think is for https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/transmission/powertrain-engine-parts/engine-oil-drain-plug-gasket-engine-oil-pan-drain-plug-gasket-227-mm-p-f5tz6734ba?pdp=y#/adCarousel). You have never replaced this black gasket (part F5TZ6734BA)? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 Rhino ramps 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampy Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Oil filter(s): the 2 I use most (either @ Walmart or Amazon, whichever costs less), Motorcraft FL 910 / 910S Supertech ST3614 Both are very good filters for the $$, I used to disassemble my old filters, these 2 are well built, and post use inspection has taken Fram off my list to ever use. I keep an "inventory' of drain plug gaskets in my oil change kit.. I have used copper, but default to the "plasti-rubber" with seating ridges. I'm not gonna advise on ramps, I used to use them, but since I got a 4 post lift the ramps just hang on the wall. Oil I always use 100% synthetic, I use high mileage (different additive pkg) when it is available. I generally buy what is on sale (Menards currently has Pennzoil full synthetic for $16.99 for 5 qts) and I change the oil & filter @ 5K miles. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WKelley Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 (edited) FOr those of you like me that refuse to shop on Amazon and Walmart I suggest Carquest as you can get WIX filters there. If I run regular oil I do a short change interval of 3000KM. If I run semi-synthetic I go the full 5K KM. If I run full synthetic I change it between 5-10K KM when it looks dirty on the dipstick. Prices in Canada are crazy right now, 5L of regular oil will set you back $50 if not on sale. I just paid $65 for a store brand (Canadian Tire) full synthetic 5L jug, and that was the sale price. Average price for name brand was $79 for 5L. Edited April 20 by WKelley 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozz Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 On 4/19/2024 at 11:34 PM, Grampy said: "Oil filter(s): the 2 I use most (either @ Walmart or Amazon, whichever costs less), Motorcraft FL 910 / 910S Supertech ST3614Both are very good filters for the $$, I used to disassemble my old filters, these 2 are well built, and post use inspection has taken Fram off my list to ever use. I keep an "inventory' of drain plug gaskets in my oil change kit.. I have used copper, but default to the "plasti-rubber" with seating ridges. I'm not gonna advise on ramps, I used to use them, but since I got a 4 post lift the ramps just hang on the wall. Oil I always use 100% synthetic, I use high mileage (different additive pkg) when it is available. I generally buy what is on sale (Menards currently has Pennzoil full synthetic for $16.99 for 5 qts) and I change the oil & filter @ 5K miles." I also use FL-400S which about 1 inch longer, as long as you have the room for it. I never buy high mileage oil, if there is seal conditioners, i would rather not soften a seal if it is in perfect working condition now. None of my vehicles burn or leak any oil between changes. Could be anywhere from 3000 miles to 5000 miles between changes. I often run what is on sale too 5w20 5w30 10w30 i have never caused any engine problems. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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