How to Change Your 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 1.5T EcoBoost's Oil — DIY Guide
How to Change Your 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 1.5T EcoBoost's Oil — DIY Guide
Here's what I do every time I service the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 1.5T — it's one of the cleaner EcoBoost oil change jobs in Ford's lineup. The drain plug and filter are both accessible from underneath without removing any panels, which makes this a genuine 20-minute job once you've done it once. Ford dealers charge $130–$170; DIY cost runs about $35–$50. The specific detail here: the 1.5T EcoBoost requires Ford's WSS-M2C961-A1 spec oil — not the older WSS-M2C929-A spec.
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| Item | OEM / Spec | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter | Motorcraft FL-910S (OE# CM5Z-6714-A) | Cartridge housing, accessible from below |
| Drain plug washer | Motorcraft PM-7L (OE# -W700598-S900) | Replace each service |
| Motor oil | 5W-30 full synthetic | Ford spec WSS-M2C961-A1 |
| Capacity | 4.3 qt (4.1 L) with filter | 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder Dragon |
| Drain plug torque | 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) | 13mm hex |
Additional tools: 13mm socket, 27mm cup socket for filter housing, drain pan, funnel, torque wrench.
Oil note: WSS-M2C961-A1 is Ford's spec for turbocharged 3-cylinder engines. Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30, and Castrol Edge 5W-30 all meet this spec.
Filter note: The FL-910S cartridge housing is on the passenger side of the engine, accessed from underneath. A 27mm socket makes removal simple; a cheap strap wrench can round the plastic housing cap — use the correct cup socket.
DIY vs. Shop Cost
| Item | DIY Cost | Shop Cost |
|---|---|---|
| WSS-M2C961-A1 5W-30 synthetic (5 qt) | $24–$34 | — |
| Motorcraft FL-910S filter | $8–$12 | — |
| Drain plug washer | $1–$2 | — |
| Total parts | ~$33–$48 | — |
| Labor | $0 | $100–$125 |
| Total | ~$33–$48 | $133–$173 |
Step-by-Step Oil Change
1. Warm the Engine
Run the Bronco Sport for 5 minutes. The 1.5T EcoBoost is a small-displacement 3-cylinder — it reaches operating temp quickly.
2. Raise the Vehicle
The Bronco Sport's stock ride height gives you decent clearance underneath. Ramps are usually enough — drive up, set the parking brake.
3. Drain the Oil
The drain plug is on the bottom of the oil pan — 13mm hex. Position your drain pan, break the plug loose, and remove by hand. The 4.3-qt capacity takes about 6–7 minutes to fully drain. Remove the old sealing washer.
4. Replace the Filter Cartridge
The FL-910S cartridge housing is on the passenger side of the engine block. Use a 27mm cup socket to loosen the cap counterclockwise. Pull the cap out with the old filter element. Wipe the housing clean. Install the new O-ring (included in the Motorcraft kit). Drop in the new filter element and reinstall the cap. Torque to 89 in-lb (10 Nm) — this is in-lb, not ft-lb.
5. Reinstall the Drain Plug
Thread a new PM-7L washer on the drain plug. Hand-thread until seated. Torque to 20 lb-ft (27 Nm).
6. Add Oil
Remove the oil filler cap (yellow, top of the engine). Add 4.0 quarts of WSS-M2C961-A1 5W-30. Crank the engine, let it idle 90 seconds, shut off, wait 3 minutes. Check the dipstick. Final capacity with filter is 4.3 quarts.
7. Start and Check for Leaks
Idle 2 minutes. Inspect at the filter housing and drain plug.
8. Reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM)
On the 2021 Bronco Sport: press the left arrow on the steering wheel cluster → Settings → Vehicle → Oil Life → Reset.
1.5T EcoBoost Bronco Sport Notes
- Turbo oil feed line: The 1.5T's turbo is oil-cooled and lubricated. Keep intervals at 7,500 miles or 12 months regardless of the IOLM reading.
- Coolant temp at startup: The 3-cylinder uses slightly more aggressive idle speed management at cold start. You'll hear it more than a 4-cylinder. Completely normal.
- Active grille shutters: The Bronco Sport's active front grille shutters affect underhood temp. If the engine runs hotter than usual at idle, inspect the shutters for debris.
For related Ford EcoBoost oil change guides, see the 2021 Ford Edge 2.0L EcoBoost spark plug replacement guide and our EcoBoost oil change overview at /guides/oil-changes.
Want step-by-step guides for every repair on your Ford? OwnerDrop has 28+ guides starting at $29.99/mo — see all plans at /pricing.
Written by OwnerDrop Team
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