So I just did my 1st oil change. Pulled the three bolts off and the access panel swings down like its supposed to. I thought I could just pull it off of that cross brace, but no, its permanently molded to the brace. The car isn't tall enough for the panel to hang down as if it were on a lift.

How to get the panel out of the way? I made one cut on each side of the panel where it goes over the cross brace. Panel snaps in and out easily now.

How do you handle this when you do your own oil change? Lift? Ramps? Jackstand?

 

I put my front on jack stands and it swung out of the way.

 

I simply jack the front of the Mustang up enough to drop the panel, losen the drain plug, lower the car, slide to the passenger side and unscrew the drain plug and allow it to drain into the catch pan. While it's draining, I go back to the top of the car, and remove the oil filter using the zip lock baggy trick learned here; slide a large zip lock baggy over the oil filter, then unscrew it. The baggie (or simular bag such as a plastic shopping bag) catches the oil as you unscrew it.

There was no need to cut anything on the access plate.

 

I tried the ziplock baggie.....that didn't go as well as expected. Got a nice mess!!

 

And so far, it sounds like I'm the only one not lifting the car somehow....

 

If the zip lock bag did not work, then you did not have the bag far enough back, or you used too small of a bag. The first time I used this trick, I got a couple of dribbles, because I kept the bag horizontal with the filter. Use a large enough bag so that its top is above the filter; the filter falls into the bag. Keep the bag against its back (oil filter).

They also sell a wide, curved "half funnel" folks have used and shown pictures of here. They work, but I use the baggie/bag trick. Of course I always place a green tarp under the engine just in case. I like a clean garage floor or driveway.

 

Probably didn't have it far enough back. I did a pretty good job of recreating the Exxon Valdez spill in my driveway, though.

 

It's not a fun job, changing the oil on one of these 2011+ Mustangs.

I tried the baggy trick once and didn't have good luck with it myself. Last oil change I used a couple of oil absorbing towels under the filter and it wasn't too bad, just a little clean up needed.

But, yes, you really need to get the front of the car up in the air some to do an effective job. Plus, lifting the front is good because the drain plug is right at the back of the pan so having the motor angled up helps the oil travel toward the drain better.

 

Not sure I could even fit under the car to do an oil change without ramps and I know it'd be way tight if I could.

I've always found oil changes on this car easy and pretty clean once I got the baggy trick figured out.

 

I also had no issue when I changed my oil. Wasn't messy really and next time will be better since I know how things drain. Can't imagine doing the change without jacking the car up tho

 

I guess I'll give myself some bonus points for doing out without a lift/stands/ramp.

 

I have been wondering about how to change the oil filter on these new mustangs. I really dont want pay anyone to do it for me. I usually use ramps or my hondas and that is easy enough. Anyone using ramps on the mustang? Does that get the car high enough to remove this panel? Any one seen or used this before?

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rtby=ourPicks;

 

Used to change my own oil (for the enjoyment, not to save $$$), but got kinda lazy about disposing of the old oil. After a recent trip to the dealership for some warranty work, found that they will change the oil even if I supply the oil and filter, for only $16. Worth the $16 IMO...

 

The panel (ford calls it a heat shield on their parts website) isn't removable. It is molded around the cross brace so that, by design, it never comes off.

For a filter change, there are three 8mm bolts at the front you remove, and the heat shield swings down. If you don't lift the car somehow, it will never swing down far enough to be out of the way (and prevent a huge mess).

If you lift the car, the panel will swing down far enough to clear everything without needing to be removed. The alternative is to cut the panel where is permanently molded around the cross brace. Then you can remove the panel and get it out of the way. When you finish, it snaps back around the cross brace and bolts up like normal.

 

It's not nessesary to cut anything to do an oil change on our Mustangs.

 

I use ramps for oil changes every time, as it's quicker and easier than jackstands. The only trick with our cars is that they're too low for normal ramps so you need low profile ones like the ones Griot's sells.

That oil funnel you linked to probably works ok, but I still think the gallon Ziploc bag is easier.

 

Agreed.

 

I use that form-a-funnel for the filter with good amount of success. also installed a valve instead of the drain plug (forgot the brand), but both tools makes the oil change easier, faster, and cleaner.

 

I saw this valve you are refering to..I was interested in it, but my fear was that it hung down a bit, and I was afraid it might catch on something; road debris...and break off. Or some sick idiot opens it in a parking lot to be funny.

 

Hmmm - I had a Fumoto drain valve on my last car. The sold an angled one, and a straight one so it didn't hang down any lower than the oil pan. Very convenient! i just slipped a 3/8" clear tubing to the end, and routed it straight into the drain pan - not a drip was ever spilled. There's a lock on the valve - have to pull the latch up (away), then rotate the valve lever 90° - there's no way it's going to inadvertently open and let oil out.
Another advantage is eliminated wear and tear on the drain plug, since you're not unscrewing it every oil change.