is an affordable, no-nonsense classic. Plus, with perfect five-star crash test ratings across the board from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it may just be one of the safest cars on the road! But to keep this sedan in peak form, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity.

Many people hold onto their cars for years and years, and many others choose to purchase used vehicles because of their overall affordability. Whatever your reason for owning a 2008 Ford Taurus, you’ll want to make sure it’s well-maintained, so that it can last as long as possible.

Whether you’re looking to cut your garage costs by performing at-home oil changes, or you just need a little bit of extra information regarding your sedan’s oil capacity—

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2008 Ford Taurus engine oil capacity

First things first: how much engine oil does a 2008 Ford Taurus exactly need?

The 3.5-liter V6 engine that lives under the hood of your Taurus has an oil capacity of 5.5 quarts—or about 5.2 liters. This has nothing to do with your engine’s displacement—which refers to the 3.5-liter volume in each of the engine's cylinders. Oil capacity refers specifically to the amount of oil you’ll need for an oil change. The numbers are not interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2008 Ford Taurus need?

So does this mean that you can fill your Ford Taurus with 5.5 quarts of any old oil? No! Not all engine oils are created equal. You’ll need to look specifically for an SAE 5W-20 premium grade full synthetic oil.

But what do those numbers mean? Well, they refer to the oil’s viscosity—or how thick it is. The number before the “W” (which stands for “winter”) tells us the oil’s viscosity at 0°F, while the second number tells us its viscosity at 212°F. 5W-20 oil has a low viscosity in cold temperatures and remains relatively thin when it’s blazing hot.

An oil with these ratings will perform well under cold weather conditions, and the low viscosity will cause less wear and tear on your engine.

It’s also important to note that Ford specifically recommends full synthetic oil. It doesn’t really matter which brand you select—as long as you opt for a high-quality oil that meets all of the requirements.

You can save some money by selecting a synthetic blend—however, keep in mind that this may mean you’ll need to change your oil more often (more on that later). Ford does not recommend the use of conventional motor oil.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2008 Ford Taurus

Are you ready to go ahead and

change your oil

? Let’s discuss how to figure out whether or not it’s time.

If you’ll be using conventional motor oil, Ford recommends an oil change every 4,500 miles. How often this occurs, exactly, will ultimately depend on how much you drive. If you don’t drive too much, about every six months may be an accurate benchmark—but if you’re frequently out on the open road, you might be changing your oil as often as every three months.

Fortunately, Ford recommends full synthetic oil—which, according to experts, extends the life of your oil change. With this higher-quality oil, you can perform a change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Regardless of which oil type you choose, be sure to check your oil level regularly. Mark your calendar for a monthly check, or make a habit of checking when you refuel your vehicle. Here are some signs that your oil requires changing:

Motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black. (Clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil looks more like Pepsi.)

Motor oil feels coarse or gritty

Unfamiliar engine sounds

Smelling new aromas such as smokiness or dirty oil

Noticeable changes in how your engine is running

MORE:

How to check and decode a Ford VIN

How to change your oil and oil filter

The final step is rolling up your sleeves and getting to work! Here’s what you’ll need to change your oil and filter:

A socket wrench,

A drain pan

A filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter

A replacement filter

6 quarts of premium 5W-20 engine oil

Get started by turning on your engine and letting it run until it warms up a bit. You can expect this to take about five minutes unless it's particularly cold out. Once things are nice and toasty, shut your engine off, and go ahead with your oil change:

Open the hood of your vehicle

Take off the oil fill cap

Crawl underneath the vehicle and take off the oil drain bolt and washer,

Use the drain pan to collect the old oil as it drains

Remove the old oil filter (more oil may continue to drain)

Replace the old filter with the new filter

Reattach the oil drain bolt (be sure to use a new washer) and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with new oil

Reattach the fill cap

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Always double-check the amount of oil you’ve added by using the range on your car’s dipstick. Then, run your car’s engine for a moment, keeping an eye out for any leaks. Finally, take a look at your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

—if you’ve done everything correctly, it should turn off.

When you’re finished, be sure to clean up responsibly! Don’t dispose of the dirty oil on the ground, down a drain, or in a regular trash can. Instead, safely dispose of it by storing it in a sealed receptacle and dropping it off at a nearby recycling center.

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Changing your oil at home saves you

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