Ford Explorer, Maintaince And Repair Manual, Page: 125 / 1119

Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the old filter
The oil filter is located on the bottom passenger side of the 4.0L (VIN X and E) engines and the
bottom driverside of all other engines; position the drain pan beneath it. To remove the filter, you may
need an oil filter wrench since the filter may have been fitted too tightly and/or the heat from the
engine may have made it even tighter. A filter wrench can be obtained at any auto parts store and is
well−worth the investment. Loosen the filter with the filter wrench. With a rag wrapped around the
filter, unscrew the filter from the boss on the side of the engine. Be careful of hot oil that will run
down the side of the filter. Make sure that your drain pan is under the filter before you start to remove
it from the engine; should some of the hot oil happen to get on you, there will be a place to dump the
filter in a hurry and the filter will usually spill a good bit of dirty oil as it is removed. 6.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
OIL & FILTER CHANGE 111