Draining oil without replacing filter

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

I had my last oil change on November 14, 2025. I then started a new position which included a company vehicle I keep at the house.
I have gone a total of 757 miles since. I am right at the “or 6 month mark” but wondering if I should change the oil, let it go to 5,000 miles regardless of time (Napa Synthetic oil) or was actually thinking on just draining the oil and replacing without changing filter, which is a 910s.
I always take it to a trusted garage for service., which is why I have not ever changed the oil on the Ranger.
I admit I have no issue getting under the truck and draining the oil, but the filter change scares me.
I can see where I can easily reach my hand in, but more afraid I won’t get it to “seat right”, etc.
Has anyone just simply drained oil without changing filter? If so, how many quarts to replace?
Or should I just not worry and wait until I reach either 1 year or 5000 miles?
The lack of miles I did most of them were a good highway run to give it some exercise and I check the oil level….all good, nothing looks or smells abnormal.
Thought?

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[Dereku]

Just wait the year and do it right. Seems like a waste of money to do half an oil change.

And oil filters are super easy to put on properly. Once the gasket touches give it one good turn and you are done.

 

[AzScorpion]

Now that I'm retired I don't put on as many miles as before. I change mine every 5,000 miles or 1 year which ever comes first with a full synthetic.

 

[JohnnyO]

Just use full synthetic oil and change it once a year.

 

[Trash Panda]

I fall in the change oil every 6 months regardless of miles (usually 4,000 - 6,000 mile range though on both our vehicles) camp and it has not let me down yet. Yesterday I had 3,700 miles since my November 2025 change and still had the Ford dealer do it. Oil and BG additive are cheap, engine parts and sludge are not.

The filter is an absolute mess (I know because I tend to get under my truck and clean up what the Ford tech missed on the lower control arm Don’t want any false positives if I ever find a drop or two of oil on my garage floor).

You have to remove your drivers side wheel/tire and a few clips (type that has a Phillips fastener shape that releases it) on the splash shield to access the filter.

 

[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

5,000 miles or 1 year, whatever comes first. No, I would not recommend changing oil but not the filter. It’s not hard at all, you’ll know right away if you’re cross threading it. Once you get it seated, give it another half turn to make sure it’s snug and you’ll be fine.

 

[rang19ca]

Like what most said above. By mileage or once a year with filter. I can change the filter with my left hand and I'm right handed.

 

[Radioman]

Now that I'm retired I don't put on as many miles as before. I change mine every 5,000 miles or 1 year which ever comes first with a full synthetic.

This

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

One thing I did not see mentioned is when changing filter double check the old gasket came off with the old filter. I even check old one again just before I put on new one.

 

[RedlandRanger]

You have to remove your drivers side wheel/tire and a few clips (type that has a Phillips fastener shape that releases it) on the splash shield to access the filter.

Just an FYI - you don't have to remove the tire to get to the oil filter. All you have to do is turn the wheel to the right and you can access the filter just fine.

 

[Trash Panda]

Just an FYI - you don't have to remove the tire to get to the oil filter. All you have to do is turn the wheel to the right and you can access the filter just fine.

True, I was just in there yesterday attaching my splash shield correctly…Technician put the bottom left trim pin in the frame but forgot to actually put the pin through the splash shield first..

It does appear they lost the very bottom pin though…Ford Part W715694S300 if you ever need.
It is pretty tight in there and I’ll need to buy a new stubby screwdriver to get proper clearance, darn..(said no man ever Snap-On SHDP22IRR here we come🫡)

 

[Bob902]

True, I was just in there yesterday attaching my splash shield correctly…Technician put the bottom left trim pin in the frame but forgot to actually put the pin through the splash shield first..

It does appear they lost the very bottom pin though…Ford Part W715694S300 if you ever need.
It is pretty tight in there and I’ll need to buy a new stubby screwdriver to get proper clearance, darn..(said no man ever Snap-On SHDP22IRR here we come🫡)

You have to fix that. That missing pin will lead to harsh shifts, fuel in the oil and then one day your bedside will be too high. Even worse, there will be a dancing banana in the bed.

 

[Trash Panda]

You have to fix that. That missing pin will lead to harsh shifts, fuel in the oil and then one day your bedside will be too high. Even worse, there will be a dancing banana in the bed.

I’ll have to reason with the wife that I need a new tool and trim pin or else the engine could hydrolock driving in the rain.

 

[RedlandRanger]

True, I was just in there yesterday attaching my splash shield correctly…Technician put the bottom left trim pin in the frame but forgot to actually put the pin through the splash shield first..

It does appear they lost the very bottom pin though…Ford Part W715694S300 if you ever need.
It is pretty tight in there and I’ll need to buy a new stubby screwdriver to get proper clearance, darn..(said no man ever Snap-On SHDP22IRR here we come🫡)

I would highly recommend replacing those plastic fasteners with rivnuts and thumbscrews. Someone suggested it a few years ago and I did it and it is a lot easier to remove than those stupid plastic things. Other people have used magnets successfully.

Here are a few threads about it:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/do-i-need-to-replace-this-part.37343/
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/oil-filter-access-modification.25526/
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/finally-did-my-own-oil-change.19229/post-402579

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

You have to fix that. That missing pin will lead to harsh shifts, fuel in the oil and then one day your bedside will be too high. Even worse, there will be a dancing banana in the bed.

Or a dancing banana in your other bed. That would be worser….er. Yeah.

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