2012 Ford F-150 Oil Capacity
Your 2012 Ford F-150’s oil capacity (as well as the type of oil it uses) can range from 6 to 7.7 quarts, depending on its engine type.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Your 2012 Ford F-150 has an oil capacity between 6.0 quarts and 7.7 quarts depending on the engine type.
Both the 3.7L V6 and 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engines have an oil capacity of exactly 6.0 quarts, the 5.0L V8 engine has an oil capacity of 7.7 quarts, and the 6.2L V8 has a total oil capacity of 7.0 quarts.
As long as your 2012 Ford F-150 isn’t regularly subjected to severe driving conditions, you only need to change its oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers2012 Ford F-150 engine oil capacity
A 2012 Ford F-150’s engine oil capacity depends largely on the type of engine it has beneath its hood—and for the 2012 model year, the Ford F-150 was offered with four different engines: a 3.7L V6, a 3.5L EcoBoost V6, a 5.0L V8, and a 6.2L V8.
Consult the table below for a full breakdown of 2012 Ford F-150 oil capacities by engine type:
Engine Type | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|
3.7L V6 | 6.0 quarts (5.7 liters) |
3.5L EcoBoost V6 | |
5.0L V8 | 7.7 quarts (7.3 liters) |
6.2L V8 | 7.0 quarts (6.6 liters) |
What type of oil does the 2012 Ford F-150 use?
As you can probably guess, the type of motor oil used by a 2012 Ford F-150 also depends on the engine it employs.
The 3.7L V6, 5.0L V8, and 6.2L V8 all require SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend motor oil, preferably Motorcraft branded oil, which Ford recommends (though any oil with the correct viscosity grade will suffice).
The 3.5L EcoBoost V6, on the other hand, requires SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend motor oil.
Engine Type | Oil Specifications |
|---|---|
3.7L V6 | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend |
5.0L V8 | |
6.2L V8 | |
3.5L EcoBoost V6 | SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend |
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Confused about what these numbers imply?
The first number, which is “5” here, refers to the oil’s winter rating. It gives us a general idea of how thick or thin the oil will be when exposed to extremely cold or freezing temperatures—and viscosity (or thickness) decreases as the number gets lower.
The second digit in an oil rating, on the other hand, refers to the oil's viscosity at 216°F or above—a.k.a. the normal operating temperature of an engine. When heated to such temperatures, oils with a "30" or "20" rating will become incredibly thin.
How often does a 2012 Ford F-150 need an oil change?
Because the synthetic engine oil used in the 2012 Ford F-150 lasts longer than its conventional counterpart, you should only need to replace the oil once every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, or around once per year.
However, you will need to replace your oil more frequently—closer to every 3,000 to 5,000 miles—if your 2012 Ford F-150 is regularly subjected to harsh circumstances, such as dusty/sandy roads, heavy towing, extreme weather, or extended periods of low idle.
In any case, it is still advised that you check your Ford’s oil level and condition at least once a month and before lengthy trips to prevent any engine damage. During these inspections, keep a look out for the following criteria that indicate an oil change should be performed sooner rather than later:
- You can smell oil or a burning odor from inside the car’s cabin
- The oil’s color has changed to dark brown or black
- The dashboard oil pressure light is illuminated
- The oil’s texture looks gritty or grainy
- The overall performance of your car has worsened
How to change your oil and oil filter
If you plan on changing your 2012 Ford F-150’s oil yourself, you’ll need the following supplies: the correct motor oil, a new filter, an oil drain pan, a socket wrench set, and a filter wrench to remove the old filter.
After gathering your tools, turn on the ignition and allow the engine to run for about four to five minutes or until it reaches normal operating temperature—once the engine warms, shut it off, open the hood, and do the following:
- Find the oil reservoir and take the oil fill cap off. Place the cap in a secure spot.
- Set up the oil drain pan directly underneath the reservoir's drain hole.
- Use your socket wrench and the appropriate size socket to remove the drain bolt and washer. Once the bolt is removed, the oil will begin to drip into the oil drain pan.
- As the oil drains, use the filter wrench to remove the old filter and replace it with a new one.
- When the oil finishes draining, thread a new washer into place and reinsert the drain bolt.
- Put fresh oil in the reservoir and screw the oil cap back on.
Now that you’ve added new oil, start your vehicle, let the engine run for approximately 30 seconds, and then shut it off. Use a dipstick (which should be housed in a tube near the oil reservoir) to verify whether the oil has reached the "MAX FILL" line. Add more oil as needed.
Start the engine a final time and let it run while you watch for oil leakage. If everything appears to be in order, the dashboard oil pressure warning light on your 2012 Ford F-150 may turn off automatically or you may need to manually reset it.
The final step is to properly dispose of the used oil. Rather than empty the drain pan into the garbage, pour the old oil into a sealable container and take it to your local recycling center or an auto parts store that collects used oil.
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