2021 FORD F-150

3.5L V6 EcoBoost4WDAUTOMATICgasturbo
27 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
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maintenance

100K Service

for 2021 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
6.0 h
Tools
13
Steps
12

Complete 100,000 mile scheduled maintenance service including engine oil change, transmission fluid service, rear differential service, coolant flush, air filter replacement, cabin filter replacement, spark plug replacement, and comprehensive multi-point inspection.

Warnings

⚠️Engine and coolant system will be extremely hot if recently operated. Allow engine to cool for at least 2 hours before beginning work.
⚠️Coolant is toxic and harmful to pets. Collect all used coolant in sealed containers and dispose of properly at a recycling facility.
The 3.5L EcoBoost engine has specific spark plug torque requirements not listed in this procedure. Consult factory service manual for exact torque specification to avoid thread damage.
Transmission fluid capacity listed is for drain-and-fill only, not complete system flush. Total system capacity is higher.
ℹ️This procedure covers RWD configuration. 4WD models require additional transfer case and front differential service.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential
Torque wrench (5-150 Nm range)Essential
3/8" and 1/2" drive socket sets (metric)Essential
Oil drain pan (large capacity)Essential
Fluid transfer pumpEssential
Coolant recovery/drain system
Spark plug socket (9/16" or 14mm)Essential
Spark plug gap toolEssential
Coil boot puller
Funnel setEssential
Drain pan with spoutEssential
Pry tool set
Ratchet extensions (6" and 12")Essential

Parts

  • Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-500-S or equivalent
  • Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Engine air filter × 1 — Motorcraft FA-1927 or equivalent
  • Cabin air filter × 1 — Motorcraft FP-67 or equivalent
  • Spark plugs × 6 — Motorcraft SP-546 (Iridium)
  • Transmission drain plug gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Rear differential fill/drain plug gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

  • Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 6 qt
  • Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 6 qt
  • Motorcraft 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil — 2 qt
  • Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 13 qt

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
  2. Allow engine to cool completely (minimum 2 hours if recently operated).
  3. Gather all fluids, filters, and parts before beginning.
  4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support on jack stands at frame rails.
  5. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on cover (no tools required).
  6. Place cardboard or drip pans under vehicle to protect work area.

Procedure

  1. 1
    Drain engine oil
    Locate oil drain plug on bottom of oil pan. Position drain pan underneath. Remove drain plug with socket wrench and allow oil to drain completely (approximately 10-15 minutes). Inspect drain plug threads and oil pan threads for damage. Install new crush washer on drain plug.
  2. 2
    Replace engine oil filter
    Locate oil filter on passenger side of engine block, accessed from underneath. Use oil filter wrench to remove old filter (oil will drain from filter housing). Clean filter mounting surface on engine block. Apply thin film of clean engine oil to new filter gasket. Hand-tighten new filter until gasket contacts mounting surface, then rotate an additional 3/4 turn.
  3. 3
    Refill engine oil
    Remove oil filler cap on top of driver-side valve cover. Using funnel, add 5.5 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic oil. Wait 2 minutes for oil to settle, then check dipstick. Add remaining oil in 0.25 quart increments until level reaches upper mark on dipstick. Install oil filler cap. Start engine and verify no leaks at drain plug or filter. Shut off engine, wait 5 minutes, and recheck oil level.
  4. 4
    Drain and refill transmission fluid
    Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of transmission pan (centered, towards rear). Position drain pan underneath. Remove drain plug and allow fluid to drain completely (approximately 5-6 quarts will drain). Remove old gasket from drain plug and install new gasket. Reinstall drain plug. Locate transmission fill plug on driver side of transmission case. Remove fill plug and use fluid transfer pump to add 6 quarts of Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF through fill hole. Reinstall fill plug.
    ℹ️This is a drain-and-fill service, not a complete flush. Approximately half of total transmission fluid is replaced with this method.
  5. 5
    Service rear differential
    Locate rear differential housing beneath rear axle. Clean area around fill plug (upper bolt) and drain plug (lower bolt) with wire brush. Remove fill plug first to ensure it's not seized. Remove drain plug and allow gear oil to drain completely into drain pan. Inspect magnetic drain plug for metal shavings (light metallic dust is normal; large particles indicate wear). Clean drain plug thoroughly. Install new gaskets on both drain and fill plugs. Reinstall drain plug. Use fluid transfer pump to add Motorcraft 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil through fill hole until fluid begins to seep from fill hole. Install fill plug.
    Always remove fill plug before drain plug. If fill plug is seized and drain plug is already removed, differential cannot be refilled.
  6. 6
    Replace engine air filter
    Open hood and locate air filter housing on driver side of engine bay. Release air box clips securing housing cover (typically 4-6 clips). Lift housing cover and remove old air filter element. Inspect housing interior and clean any debris with shop towel. Install new air filter element ensuring proper seating in housing. Close housing cover and secure all clips.
  7. 7
    Replace cabin air filter
    Open passenger door and locate cabin air filter access panel behind glove box (may require removing or lowering glove box assembly). Remove panel screws and pull panel away. Slide out old cabin air filter noting airflow direction arrow. Clean filter housing area of debris. Install new cabin air filter with airflow arrow pointing in correct direction (typically towards rear of vehicle). Reinstall access panel.
  8. 8
    Replace spark plugs - Driver side bank
    Locate three ignition coils on driver-side valve cover. Disconnect electrical connectors from each coil by pressing release tab. Remove mounting bolt from each coil. Carefully pull coils straight up to remove (use coil boot puller if stuck). Use compressed air to blow debris from spark plug wells. Using spark plug socket with extension, remove old spark plugs. Inspect plugs for abnormal wear or deposits. Gap new spark plugs to specification (typically 0.028-0.031 inches - verify in service manual). Apply small amount of dielectric grease to inside of coil boots. Hand-thread new spark plugs into cylinder head, being extremely careful not to cross-thread. Tighten spark plugs to specification per service manual (NOT included in torque spec list - consult factory manual).
    ⚠️Over-torquing spark plugs can strip aluminum cylinder head threads, requiring expensive repair. Under-torquing can cause plugs to loosen and damage threads. Use precise torque wrench and follow factory specification exactly.
  9. 9
    Replace spark plugs - Passenger side bank
    Repeat spark plug replacement procedure for three passenger-side cylinders. Access may be more restricted due to engine bay components. May need to remove or relocate wiring harnesses for better access. Follow same procedure: disconnect coils, remove coils, clean wells, remove old plugs, gap and install new plugs, reinstall coils.
    Passenger side has more limited access. Take care not to damage wiring harnesses or vacuum lines when removing coils.
  10. 10
    Drain and flush cooling system
    Ensure engine is completely cool. Place large drain pan under radiator. Locate radiator drain petcock on bottom driver-side corner of radiator. Open petcock and allow coolant to drain. Remove radiator cap to allow faster draining. If equipped with engine block drain plugs, remove those as well. Once fully drained, close all drains. Fill cooling system with distilled water, start engine with heat on high, run until thermostat opens (approximately 10 minutes), then drain again. Repeat flush process once more. After final drain, close all drains and fill system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant (use 50/50 premixed or mix concentrate with distilled water). Fill until level is at cold fill line on overflow reservoir. Start engine and allow to warm while monitoring coolant level. Add coolant as needed to maintain proper level.
    ⚠️Never open cooling system when hot. Pressurized hot coolant can cause severe burns.
    ℹ️EcoBoost engines may require special bleeding procedure to remove air pockets. Run engine with radiator cap off until thermostat opens, then carefully top off system.
  11. 11
    Inspect brake system
    Remove all four wheels. Inspect brake pads for remaining thickness (replace if less than 3mm remaining). Inspect rotors for scoring, warping, or excessive wear. Check brake calipers for leaks or damage. Inspect brake lines and hoses for cracks, leaks, or deterioration. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and inspect fluid condition (should be clear amber; replace if dark or contaminated). Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts in star pattern.
  12. 12
    Multi-point inspection
    Perform comprehensive vehicle inspection: Check all exterior lights (headlights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights). Inspect all belts for cracks, glazing, or fraying (serpentine belt is critical on this engine). Check belt tensioner for proper operation. Inspect battery terminals for corrosion and ensure tight connections. Check all fluid levels (power steering is electric - no fluid). Inspect tires for wear and verify proper pressure (check door jamb sticker for specification). Inspect suspension components for wear or damage. Check exhaust system for leaks or damage. Inspect driveshaft U-joints and CV boots (if applicable).

Reassembly

  1. Reinstall engine cover by aligning mounting grommets and pressing down until secure.
  2. Verify all drain plugs, fill plugs, and filter housings are properly secured.
  3. Lower vehicle from jack stands and remove all tools from engine bay.
  4. Verify all electrical connectors on ignition coils are fully seated and locked.
  5. Double-check all fluid levels after vehicle has been running and allowed to settle.

Verification

  • Start engine and verify smooth idle with no misfires or warning lights.
  • Check under vehicle for any fluid leaks from drain plugs, filters, or differential.
  • Test drive vehicle for at least 10 miles, allowing transmission to shift through all gears and engine to reach full operating temperature.
  • After test drive, recheck all fluid levels and inspect for leaks.
  • Verify cooling system maintains proper temperature and heater functions correctly.
  • Confirm no warning lights on instrument cluster.
  • Reset oil life monitor using vehicle's information display menu (typically under Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life Reset).

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