Gen 2 Raptor Oil and Filter Change (2017–2020, 3.5L HO EcoBoost)

Who this is for

This is for the Gen 2 Raptor, 2017 through 2020, with the 3.5L HO EcoBoost. The engine and oil capacity are consistent across those years, but Ford actually changed the exact oil specification between the 2017 and 2019 supplements — not a huge practical difference, but worth getting right rather than assuming one number covers the whole generation. If you're working on a Gen 3 (2021+), the capacity and filter carry over, but check the Gen 3 Raptor oil change guide for that truck's own access-panel details rather than assuming they're identical.

Steps

1. 1

   Stage your supplies and get access underneath

   Park on level ground and let the engine cool a bit if you just drove it. The Gen 2's drain plug and filter sit behind a skid plate or access panel that has to come off before you can reach either one — fastener types vary, so have a socket set on hand rather than assuming one size fits everything. Lift the truck on rated jack stands if you want more working room; a jack alone is never enough to work underneath.

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2. 2

   Drain the old oil

   With the pan positioned under the drain plug, break it loose with a ratchet and remove it by hand. Let it drain fully — on a 6-quart EcoBoost this takes longer than it looks like it should, especially once the flow slows to a trickle near the end.

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3. 3

   Inspect the drain plug and its washer

   While the oil drains, check the drain plug and its sealing washer for wear or damage. Replace the washer if it looks compressed flat or cracked — it's a cheap part and a bad seal here means a slow leak you'll be chasing for weeks.

4. 4

   Swap the spin-on oil filter

   The Gen 2's 3.5L EcoBoost uses a spin-on filter, not a cartridge element in its own housing. Unthread the old FL-500-S counterclockwise — by hand, or with a filter wrench if it's stubborn — and confirm its rubber gasket came off with it rather than staying stuck to the mount. Wipe the mounting surface clean, smear a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter's gasket, and spin it on by hand until the gasket just touches, then give it the additional turn specified on the filter or in your manual.

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5. 5

   Reseat the drain plug and reinstall the access panel

   Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading the pan, snug it with a ratchet, and torque it to the figure in your service manual with a torque wrench — don't estimate this one by feel. Bring the skid plate or access panel back into position and reinstall every fastener you removed.

6. 6

   Refill with the correct 5W-30 for your model year

   Lower the truck, open the hood, and pour in the full 6.0 quarts of Motorcraft 5W-30 through a funnel — XO-5W30-QSP (WSS-M2C946-A) if you're running a 2017 spec, or XO-5W30-Q1SP (WSS-M2C946-B1) for 2019. Both are 5W-30 full-synthetic and the capacity doesn't change between them, but matching the spec on the bottle to your model year is worth the extra minute at the parts counter.

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7. 7

   Check for leaks before you call it done

   Let the oil settle, check the dipstick, and top off if it reads low. Start the engine, let it idle for a minute, then get back underneath with a flashlight and check both the drain plug and the new filter for drips — this is the point where a loose connection shows itself.

8. 8

   Reset the oil life monitor and rotate your tires while you're under there

   Reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor from the instrument cluster's message center menu so it isn't still counting down from before the change — exact wording varies slightly by model year, so check your manual if you don't see it right away. Since you're already set up underneath the truck, this is also the scheduled moment Ford calls for a tire rotation — see the tire rotation and TPMS reset guide if you want to knock both out in the same session.

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Specs

Safety notes

• Never work under a truck supported only by a jack — use rated jack stands if you lift it.
• Torque the drain plug to the spec in your service manual with a torque wrench; overtightening strips the pan's threads.
• Let the engine cool before draining if you just drove it — fresh-drained oil can be hot enough to burn skin on contact.
• Take the old oil and filter to a recycling center or parts store that accepts them; never pour used oil down a drain.