The 2014 Ford F-150 3.5 is an excellent choice for a work truck, with a strong engine, a comfortable ride, and a practical cabin. But to keep this powerful truck running at peak performance, you'll need to understand its engine oil capacity.

Routine maintenance, including oil changes, is one of the simplest ways to extend the life of your car. However, to save money by changing your own oil, you must know your F-150’s oil capacity and what type you should use.

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F-150 car insurance costs

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2014 Ford F-150 3.5 engine oil capacity

Let's start by establishing how much oil a 2014 Ford F-150 3.5 requires.

The 2014 F-150 sports a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 6-quart oil capacity. The 3.5 liters refers to the engine's displacement and not the amount of oil it can hold.

Displacement is the entire volume of air and fuel swept into one cylinder of an engine, whereas oil capacity is the amount of oil required to keep the engine's components oiled and working properly.

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What kind of oil does a 2014 Ford F-150 3.5 need?

Now that you know how much oil your

Ford

can hold, let's talk about the type of oil that works best with it. There are several kinds of oil on the market, but you should look for SAE 5W-30. This is the oil that Ford recommends, and it's always a smart idea to listen to the manufacturer's advice.

Ford specifically recommends buying from Motorcraft when you are looking for your 5W-30 motor oil, but another brand is also acceptable if you are unable to find the recommended kind.

The "W" means "winter," and the "5" in front of it tells us that this blend of oils will stay thin enough to flow quickly even when it's cold outside. The number 30 after the "W" tells us how thick the oil is at the temperature at which the engine is running.

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Does insurance cover engine failure?

How often to change the oil on a 2014 Ford F-150 3.5L

Now that we've talked about how much oil and what kind you'll need, it's time to change the oil!

Infiniti says you should change the oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles as the synthetic blend gives the engine more protection. So even if you don't drive much or don't put a lot of miles on your car, you still need to change the oil every six months to keep it from turning into sludge.

If you change your oil when you're supposed to, it could add years to the life of your car and stop your engine from breaking down—so be sure to check your oil levels often. You can also watch out for these signs that it's time to change your oil:

The oil has developed a dark brown or black tint

The texture of the oil has turned coarse or gritty

You notice strange engine noises

You detect smoke or burning scents from your engine

Changes in the performance of your vehicle

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How to change your oil and oil filter

To start, you’ll need jacks, a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a new filter, and a cloth before beginning the oil change. Grab a bottle of 5W-30 engine oil and you're ready to go!

First, warm up your car by running the engine for a few minutes on a level surface until it reaches operating temperature. After that, stop the engine and proceed as follows:

Jack up the car high enough to gain access to the engine

Take out the oil drain plug from beneath the engine to allow oil to drain into the pan

Remove the old oil filter using the filter wrench and allow the oil to drain

Clean the filter mounting surface before installing the replacement filter

Screw the oil drain bolt on and tighten it to 20 lb-ft of torque

Replace the fill cap after adding new oil to the engine

Check the oil level using your dipstick and look for leaks while the engine is still running to confirm you did everything correctly. 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. Now you're good to go!

When cleaning, never pour old filthy oil on the ground or into your trash can. Instead, dump it into an unused sealed container and drop it off at a recycling facility for appropriate disposal.

MORE: Ford F-150 towing capacity

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

As a car owner, you realize how important it is to

perform regular maintenance

on your Ford Explorer F-150. Shopping for better-priced

car insurance

every six months is another great method to save time and money—and

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