The 2009 Ford F-150 5.4 is a legendary pickup thanks to its reliable, hardworking V8 engine and comfortable interior—bringing the best of both worlds together for the most popular truck model in America. But to keep it in good working shape, you need to know your F-150’s engine oil capacity so you can stay on top of its maintenance.

Having a hardworking truck like the F-150 5.4 means you’ll have to perform the occasional maintenance. Whether you do it all yourself or take it to a shop, you need to be aware of its oil capacity because sometimes, you might have to top off the engine oil between changes.

To help you stay on top of your F-150’s engine oil needs,

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, is here with all the specs you need plus a guide to changing your oil and oil filter, and tips to help lower your

Ford F-150 5.4 insurance costs

2009 Ford F-150 5.4 engine oil capacity

So how much oil does your 2009 F-150 5.4 actually need?

The thirsty 5.4-liter V8 engine will take a whopping 7 quarts, which actually isn’t off-the-charts for a pickup truck.

But before you rush out to top of your truck’s motor oil, you need to know which oil type offers the right viscosity—or thickness of liquid at a certain temperature—for your vehicle’s engine. There are all sorts of different levels of viscosity for engine oils, but luckily they come clearly marked to make sure you put the right oil in your Ford F-150.

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What kind of oil does a 2009 Ford F-150 5.4 need?

Ford Motor Company advises that you use Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil—and it’s best to stick with your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation because that is what will keep your engine running at optimal efficiency.

Ford also suggests only using engine oil that has the “Certified for Gasoline Engines” emblem from the American Petroleum Institute. Compliance with this institute’s guidelines ensures that your engine oil is up to par with current emissions standards and performance specs.

If you’ve ever wondered what the coding for engine oil types means, we can help you solve that puzzle. For your pickup, the 5 in front of the “W” means that it has a viscosity measure of 5 in freeing cold weather. The “W” stands for winter. The 20 represents your oil’s slightly heavier viscosity at your engine’s regular operating temperature of 212°F.

This means your engine oil will flow quite easily in cold weather, and once your truck is running and the engine is hot, its viscosity is slightly thicker but still relatively low.

Ford strongly discourages using any supplemental detergents or engine treatments that are marketed as oil additives, because this could interfere with your engine’s normal operation. They also suggest using Motorcraft brand oil, or an equivalent that meets the same 5W-20 specifications.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2009 Ford F-150 5.4

Now it’s time to talk about changing your engine oil! The 2009 Ford F-150 5.4 needs an oil change every 7,500 miles as long as you’re driving it in normal operating conditions.

However, you’ll need to perform more frequent oil changes, every 5,000 miles, whenever the following usage conditions apply to your pickup:

You’ve driven off-road

You’ve driven in dusty conditions, like on a dirt road

Your truck has driven at low speed or idled for long periods, such as for delivery driving or rideshare services

You’ve towed a trailer, hauled a camper, or used a car-top carrier

You also need to check your oil level once a month and stay aware of its usual level to watch for any anomalies. Sudden, excessive oil consumption could indicate a leak or other mechanical problem.

Finally, watch for the following signs that your engine oil needs changing, no matter what your mileage is:

Unusual noises from the engine

Any odd smells, but especially something that smells like oil, smoke, or burning

Any noticeable change in your truck’s performance

MORE:

How to build a custom Ford F-150

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Now’s the fun part—changing your own engine oil on your 2009 Ford F-150 5.4. You can do this yourself if you have the right tools and materials on hand.

First, get your tools together. You need a socket wrench, a drain pan, a new oil drain plug gasket, and a filter wrench. You’ll also need an FL-820-S Motorcraft oil filter.

Then, start your engine and let it run until it reaches its normal operating temperature. Unless it’s a particularly cold day, this should only take about five minutes. Once you’re ready, turn the engine off, pop the hood, and follow these easy steps:

Remove your truck’s oil fill cap, which is under the hood

Shimmy underneath the engine compartment and remove the oil drain bolt and washer. Make sure you have your drain pan handy so the oil can drain into it right away.

Take out the old oil filter and let the oil finish draining out.

Put in the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new oil drain plug gasket and tighten the bolt to 29 lb-ft

Add 7 quarts of your new oil to the engine and replace the oil fill cap.

Check your oil level with the dipstick to make sure you’ve got enough, and if all looks right, go ahead and run your engine again for a few minutes. Listen to your vehicle to make sure it’s running properly, and do a quick check for any leaks. Then take a look inside to make sure

your car's oil pressure light

is off.

Now it’s time to clean up. This should be simple as long as you didn’t smear any oil inside your truck or get it on the door handles.

Do not dump your oil on the ground or down a drain, and do not dispose of it in your trash. It needs to be sealed up in a lidded container and taken to an oil recycling center. Most auto parts stores, service providers, and retailers will accept used oil, but you should call ahead and check first.

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.

MORE:

Oil change cost

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

After a job well done on maintaining your Ford F-150 5.4, you owe it to yourself to put up your feet and relax for a bit. Another way to take some of the load off is by letting

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