--- title: "Ford F-150 Oil Type: 5W-20, 6 qt" description: "How the Ford F-150 oil specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. The Ford F-150 takes 5W-20 engine oil, 6 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Motorcraft FL-500S. Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/oil" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # Ford F-150 Oil Type and Capacity The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Ford F-150 oil specification changed by year? | Model years | Viscosity | Capacity | OEM filter | Interval | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2021-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/oil) | 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-30 (diesel-rated) | 6 / 7.7 / 6.5 qt | Motorcraft FL-500S | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi (severe) | | [2015-2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2015-2020/oil) | 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-30 (diesel-rated) | 6.3 / 6 / 8.8 / 6.5 qt | Motorcraft FL-500S | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi (severe) | | [2012-2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/oil) | 5W-20, 5W-30 | 6 / 7.7 / 7 qt | Motorcraft FL-500S | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months (normal); 5,000 mi or less (severe/towing) | ## Full specifications by generation The oil on a Ford F-150 is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2021-2025 Ford F-150 Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/oil) - [2015-2020 Ford F-150 Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2015-2020/oil) - [2012-2014 Ford F-150 Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/oil) ## Ford F-150 oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a Ford F-150 take? It depends on the engine. The 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 (2021-2023) takes 6 quarts; The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (base engine from 2024) takes 6 quarts; The 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 (Coyote, 400 hp) takes 7.7 quarts; The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp; Raptor HO 450 hp) takes 6 quarts; The 3.5L PowerBoost full hybrid (430 hp combined) takes 6 quarts; The 3.0L Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 (2021 only) takes 6.5 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a Ford F-150 take? 5W-20 meeting Ford WSS-M2C960-A1 / API SN/SP. Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a Ford F-150? The factory specification is 5W-20 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice. ### How often does a Ford F-150 need an oil change? Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi (severe). Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval. ### What oil filter does a Ford F-150 take? The OEM filter is Motorcraft FL-500S. Common equivalents: Fram XG10575, Wix 57502. ## Sources - [2022 Ford F-150 Owner's Manual (Ford service content), capacities and specifications](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2022-Ford-F-150-Owners-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_10_2021.pdf) - [F150gen14 forum, 2021 5.0L 5W-30 / 7.7-qt sump change discussion (owner's manual excerpts)](https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/2021-v8-oil-capacity.4358/) - [NHTSA recall 24V-635 chronology, 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost intake valves](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RMISC-24V635-2546.pdf) - [Astro Ford / NHTSA, F-150 recall hub (driveshaft, trailer brake, axle, EBB campaigns)](https://www.astroford.com/recalls/ford-f-150-recalls.htm) - [Car and Driver, Ford EcoBoost intake-valve engine failure recall](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62044486/ford-f150-bronco-explorer-edge-lincoln-nautilus-aviator-engine-failure-recall/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2023 Ford F-150 EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2023_Ford_F150.shtml) - [Wheel-Size.com, 2022 Ford F-150 OE fitments](https://www.wheel-size.com/size/ford/f-150/2022/) - [Cars.com, 2021 F-150 towing capacities breakdown (14,000-lb max)](https://www.cars.com/articles/breaking-down-the-2021-ford-f-150s-towing-capacities-433112/) - [Motorcraft, MERCON ULV automatic transmission fluid (10R80)](https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/mercon-ulv-automatic-transmission-fluids.html/100) ## Find your exact F-150 - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012) More Ford F-150 guides: - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.