2018 Oil Drain Plug
02-05-2019, 07:34 AM
#31
2018 XLT FX4
They are supposed to be one-time use only. They are reusable, provided you don't snap off a tab, however it is recommended that they be replaced with every oil change. I have two sitting in my toolbox, just in case. I have yet to do my first oil change, and plan on being very careful, but at least I'm prepared for the worst.
02-05-2019, 07:45 AM
#32
Senior Member
I have three oil changes so far with the original plug. As a prevention I will be replacing at the next oil change.
02-05-2019, 09:05 AM
#33
Senior Member
I just change my oil for the first time last night expecting the worst with this new style oil drain plug. I do not understand the fuss from people why they are hating it so much. I do think it's a good idea to have a replacement on hand, but actually I like the design of it. I was able to get it off just fine with my fingers and a mechanic glove that has some grip. No tools needed. Here are some pros to the new style of drain plug:
1) No tools needed so you don't have to worry about figuring out which socket to bring underneath with you.
2) Zero chance of cross threading.
3) Removing the plug by hand wont make it rounded overtime like there is potentially with a metal one. I see nothing in the owners manual about replacing these with each oil change. If it's leaking there, change it. If not, why not reuse it?
4) No chance of over torquing or under torquing due to the design.
Do not use a flat head screw drive to lift up on one of the tabs. This is a easy way to break it. Just rotate the tab you can see down towards 6 oclock and you should be fine. I actually took out the plug a few times during my oil change with zero issues each time.
Another tip that I saw from someone else to not create a huge mess is to slowly remove the drain plug. Once I got the tabs past their fastened point, I kept slowing unscrewing it until I got a stream that was strait down vs shooting at the side of the wheel. I think it took about 2 minutes max to get it to a point where I could just take the plug the rest of the way out and not have it spray everywhere. You know what? I am going with a 5th point then...
5) You can control the oil flow rate if you remove the drain plug slowly to strait down to avoid making a mess on the floor
1) No tools needed so you don't have to worry about figuring out which socket to bring underneath with you.
2) Zero chance of cross threading.
3) Removing the plug by hand wont make it rounded overtime like there is potentially with a metal one. I see nothing in the owners manual about replacing these with each oil change. If it's leaking there, change it. If not, why not reuse it?
4) No chance of over torquing or under torquing due to the design.
Do not use a flat head screw drive to lift up on one of the tabs. This is a easy way to break it. Just rotate the tab you can see down towards 6 oclock and you should be fine. I actually took out the plug a few times during my oil change with zero issues each time.
Another tip that I saw from someone else to not create a huge mess is to slowly remove the drain plug. Once I got the tabs past their fastened point, I kept slowing unscrewing it until I got a stream that was strait down vs shooting at the side of the wheel. I think it took about 2 minutes max to get it to a point where I could just take the plug the rest of the way out and not have it spray everywhere. You know what? I am going with a 5th point then...
5) You can control the oil flow rate if you remove the drain plug slowly to strait down to avoid making a mess on the floor
The following 5 users liked this post by jharmon203:
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02-05-2019, 12:58 PM
#34
Senior Member
Thinking the original design with 3/8” drive might be handy for using an extension to keep hand out of the way when regulating the flow as @jharmon203 describes? Guess that option is not available as it is my understanding the old style was superseded by new. Haven’t changed my oil yet, only have 700 miles on truck. Maybe it is possible to control the flow without oil running down one’s arm? If so, “Damn! Ford has some smart engineers!”
Considering the damage I have seen done by quick oil change shops I can understand Ford removing the 3/8” drive to prevent monkeys from torquing the plug.
I had to put Fumoto valve on Subaru after making a huge mess removing its surprisingly large traditional metal drain plug.
Considering the damage I have seen done by quick oil change shops I can understand Ford removing the 3/8” drive to prevent monkeys from torquing the plug.
I had to put Fumoto valve on Subaru after making a huge mess removing its surprisingly large traditional metal drain plug.
02-10-2019, 05:43 PM
#35
Junior Member
But wait there’s more
I purchased the Ronin easy oil drain for my second oil change. The first oil change looked like the Exxon Valdez crashed in my Drive way. I have only installed the new plug and haven’t done a drain yet. but the quality seems legit. Very easy to install and the drain process you unscrew a protective cap(gold) and screw in, what I would call a hose adapter. The adapter you can attach a hose to one end, if you want, and the other side screws into the plug. The more you screw the adapter in the more you increase the flow of oil, like a water faucet.
Also, the plug has a magnet on the inside to catch any ferrous metal particles.
Last edited by Jetdude; 02-10-2019 at 05:51 PM. Reason: Add info
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02-10-2019, 07:42 PM
#36
Senior Member
$80 for an oil drain plug (Ronin)???/ Ummm, No thanks!
02-10-2019, 07:57 PM
#37
Senior Member
I just change my oil for the first time last night expecting the worst with this new style oil drain plug. I do not understand the fuss from people why they are hating it so much. I do think it's a good idea to have a replacement on hand, but actually I like the design of it. I was able to get it off just fine with my fingers and a mechanic glove that has some grip. No tools needed. Here are some pros to the new style of drain plug:
1) No tools needed so you don't have to worry about figuring out which socket to bring underneath with you.
2) Zero chance of cross threading.
3) Removing the plug by hand wont make it rounded overtime like there is potentially with a metal one. I see nothing in the owners manual about replacing these with each oil change. If it's leaking there, change it. If not, why not reuse it?
4) No chance of over torquing or under torquing due to the design.
Do not use a flat head screw drive to lift up on one of the tabs. This is a easy way to break it. Just rotate the tab you can see down towards 6 oclock and you should be fine. I actually took out the plug a few times during my oil change with zero issues each time.
Another tip that I saw from someone else to not create a huge mess is to slowly remove the drain plug. Once I got the tabs past their fastened point, I kept slowing unscrewing it until I got a stream that was strait down vs shooting at the side of the wheel. I think it took about 2 minutes max to get it to a point where I could just take the plug the rest of the way out and not have it spray everywhere. You know what? I am going with a 5th point then...
5) You can control the oil flow rate if you remove the drain plug slowly to strait down to avoid making a mess on the floor
1) No tools needed so you don't have to worry about figuring out which socket to bring underneath with you.
2) Zero chance of cross threading.
3) Removing the plug by hand wont make it rounded overtime like there is potentially with a metal one. I see nothing in the owners manual about replacing these with each oil change. If it's leaking there, change it. If not, why not reuse it?
4) No chance of over torquing or under torquing due to the design.
Do not use a flat head screw drive to lift up on one of the tabs. This is a easy way to break it. Just rotate the tab you can see down towards 6 oclock and you should be fine. I actually took out the plug a few times during my oil change with zero issues each time.
Another tip that I saw from someone else to not create a huge mess is to slowly remove the drain plug. Once I got the tabs past their fastened point, I kept slowing unscrewing it until I got a stream that was strait down vs shooting at the side of the wheel. I think it took about 2 minutes max to get it to a point where I could just take the plug the rest of the way out and not have it spray everywhere. You know what? I am going with a 5th point then...
5) You can control the oil flow rate if you remove the drain plug slowly to strait down to avoid making a mess on the floor
The following users liked this post:
jharmon203 (02-10-2019)
02-10-2019, 07:58 PM
#38
The Ronin drain plug looks like a well-made item, but the insert necessary to make it work must not be lost, as it is not available separately. Without it, the drain won't work. You can also buy 7 to 8 of the plastic plugs for the cost of this plug.
02-10-2019, 08:20 PM
#39
Senior Member