Question about the airpan under the engine on my '12 3.7 Mustang

[white trash wagon]

Had my first oil change this morning on my '12 3.7 Mustang, at 4600 miles. I always change my own, but the dealership gave me a freebie. But even at free, a 1.5 hour wait, means I won't be back.

Anyway, that airpan underneath the engine, looks like the car needs to be on a lift to swing it out of the way? Anyone just removed it & left it off?

[Skidonenko]

Had my first oil change this morning on my '12 3.7 Mustang, at 4600 miles. I always change my own, but the dealership gave me a freebie. But even at free, a 1.5 hour wait, means I won't be back.

Anyway, that airpan underneath the engine, looks like the car needs to be on a lift to swing it out of the way? Anyone just removed it & left it off?

Jack it up and put it on stands, it does not need to go that high

[KBScobravert]

Even for $50 they can do it for me everytime. Speaking of which, time for the Mazda's oil to be done next week.

Now my '95 Cobra, I do myself.

[Dlachance]

Just swing it down out of the way, there are 3 bolts.

[BlackGT]

I took mine off, unintentionally...
Ford did the oil change, couple days later driving down 121 at night, sounds like I ran over something and was dragging it. Get off highway, pull into lit parking lot, look uner car, and it had come loose, folded back under the car. Cut it loose with my knife, threw it in the trunk and drove home. This was about 2 months ago and I haven't seen any ill effects. Getting ready for another oil change and Ford will hear about it when I go!

[Armedtrigger01]

It's there for aerodynamics and to keep road grime and crap off the engine. If you notice anything you would have to be doing alot of highway driving and even then a small amount of mpg drop lol maybe 1-2 mpg. That being said if most of your driving is short trips or city driving you probably won't loose anything.

[KBScobravert]

I took mine off, unintentionally...
Ford did the oil change, couple days later driving down 121 at night, sounds like I ran over something and was dragging it. Get off highway, pull into lit parking lot, look uner car, and it had come loose, folded back under the car. Cut it loose with my knife, threw it in the trunk and drove home. This was about 2 months ago and I haven't seen any ill effects. Getting ready for another oil change and Ford will hear about it when I go!

You didn't call them immediately? I bet you are gonna be assed out.

[Rick Modena]

The main reason its.there is to keep water, dust, dirt and mudd of of the elecrical connectors on the elctric power steering pan. And also the airflow. Its to access the oil filter and just swing it down and draape a rag over the electrical connectors and support bar.

[crapstang]

I changed the oil on an 11' 3.7 without removing it. The oil from the filter drained straight through an open hole without spilling all over it.