Good morning, F-150 experts!
I just bought a 2019 F-150 XLT with 2.7L V6 with 225,000 miles. Live in the Southeastern United States. Don't plan to tow often, and won't often hit hills.

Already got a high mileage oil change with a blend. Was surprised by the cost, so I will likely do my own oil changes going forward.

Not a mechanic, but have access to the local military base auto hobby shop.
Please include additional details like quantities (Liters/gallons of coolant) and expert tips like remembering to measure the spark plug or sanding spark plug terminal.

Sorry if other threads have covered this, but I need a crash course because I have time to do the work now.

Oil Change: traditional/blend/full synthetic? how many quarts? Oil filter? Any tricks to avoid damaging plug?
Spark Plugs?
Coolant flush? How many gallons?
Transmission fluid - I heard the dipstick was under the truck. Please explain what to watch out for.
Air filter? One? or more?
Fuel filter?
Floor mats? There's a lot out there, I'm having trouble distinguishing one from another.
Tires? TPMs? There's maybe a quarter's thickness left. What do you recommend? I focus on cost, how many miles the tires last and how quiet they are. Your recommendations will save me hours of work.
Someone at the shop talked about how one of the F-150 engines was terrible. Which one was it?

What I have noticed so far:
- The truck has a slight catch switching gears on acceleration.
- There's a sound I hear from the engine when it's in idle or park. Kind of reminds me of a vibration sound because it goes away. Kind of high pitched and not particularly loud.
It bothers me, but I have a feeling it's nothing to worry about. I just don't like it.
- The truck has a topper made by ARE. The handle seems flimsy and is awkward to use - Is there a better option?
- Topper light isn't working, looks busted - what do you recommend I can replace it with? Wondered what fuse it was one and whether I can add more lights while I'm at it.
- Topper hydraulic struts failed in Michigan (it was 20-30 deg F). I know I need to replace them. They come in a wide range of options of how much the struts can lift. What happens if I buy struts that can lift 2x or 3x the weight of the door?
- I want to get a "dumb" door key made - without the fob. There's a keypad on the door, but I am old-fashioned and like having a back up key from the days of locking myself out as a young driver.

I know this is a lot to unpack. I really appreciate your advice to help me take care of the truck.

Nikki
Huntsville, Alabama

 

my 2018 F150 2.7 with 96K miles sees only Motorcraft Syn Blend oil, every <5k miles. Be careful using any other oil is my opinion. The Oil Pump is belt driven off a crankshaft pulley gear inside the bottom end. So the Belt, which is rubber with some fiber impregnated into it (similar to the engine serpentine belt) is always wet in the engine oil. I have "heard/read" that this belts rubber composition may be suceptable to oils other than Fords specification. Just my comments on this item. Belt replacement is a major repair at major cost.
I pull a 22', 6,000 lb (loaded weight) travel trailer and my F150 does a good job. I don't push it though, trying to not exceed 70 MPH on flat road and whatever gear it wants to choose going uphill without high revs. Slow & steady uphills works for me. I change trans fluid every 60k miles, having this performed at the Ford dealer via drain/flush/fill method. It is not expensive and considering the process at home is not easy to perform, it makes sense to me to have dealer do it.
Hope those help your info bank.
P.S.: Air Filter- I have used K&N air filters in all my vehicles for decades. You can service them anytime you want. By 'em once, you'll never wear them out if serviced per K&N instructions. DO NOT OVER OIL THEM as this will restrict air flow. Follow K&N instructions.