Car ownership comes with plenty of expenses, but taking care of maintenance tasks at home can help you save time and money. But when it comes to oil changes, you’ll need to know your vehicle’s engine oil capacity and type to get the job done right.

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2020 Ford F-150 engine oil capacity

Even within the same make and model year, vehicles can come with different engine options, which, in turn, will have various oil capacities. So your 2020 Ford F-150’s engine oil capacity depends on what kind of engine it has.

Here’s a look at how the oil capacity of the 2020 Ford F-150 can vary by engine type:

2.7L EcoBoost engine: 6 quarts

3.0L diesel engine: 6.5 quarts

3.3L engine: 6 quarts

3.5L EcoBoost engine: 6 quarts

5.0L engine: 8.8 quarts

What kind of oil does a 2020 Ford F-150 need?

Just like your oil capacity, the 2020 Ford F-150’s required oil type will also depend on its engine type. It’s important to follow the specifications your owner’s manual recommends since using the wrong engine oil could cause severe damage to your engine.

One of the most critical factors when selecting an engine oil is ensuring you pick the correct viscosity grade. Choosing an oil with the right viscosity or thickness ensures the oil can properly circulate through the system and effectively lubricate parts the way that it needs to.

Here are the required engine oil viscosity grades based on your 2020 Ford F-150’s engine type:

2.7L EcoBoost engine: 5W-30 synthetic blend motor oil

3.0L diesel engine: 5W-30 synthetic diesel motor oil

3.3L engine: 5W-20 synthetic blend motor oil

3.5L EcoBoost engine: 5W-30 synthetic blend motor oil

5.0L engine: 5W-20 synthetic blend motor oil

If you’re wondering what these numbers mean, the first number, “5”, refers to how easily oil flows at cold temperatures before startup, while the second number, “20” or “30” in these cases, refers to its viscosity at regular engine operating temperatures.

Ford recommends choosing

Motorcraft oil

with the correct specifications for your engine as a first choice.

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How often to change oil on a 2020 Ford F-150

Once you know your required oil type and how much of it you’ll need, how can you tell when it’s actually time to change your 2020 Ford F-150’s oil?

Your F-150 is actually equipped with an oil life monitor that will alert you when it’s time for an oil change based on factors like how you’ve been using your truck. If you’ve been regularly towing heavy loads, for example, you may need to change your engine oil quite a bit sooner than you would under less strenuous conditions.

Still, it helps to keep tabs on when you should plan to take care of your next oil change. Here’s generally how often Ford says you could expect to need an oil change based on usage:

Normal usage: 7,500-10,000 miles

Severe usage: 5,000-7,500 miles

Extreme usage: 3,000-5,000 miles

Since when you’ll actually need an oil change can vary so widely, it’s also important to check your motor oil regularly—about once a month is a common recommendation. If your F-150 is past due for an oil change, you may notice some of the following symptoms:

Your oil change indicator light has turned on

Motor oil is dark brown or black rather than light brown

Engine oil with a grainy texture, indicating excess debris buildup

Low motor oil level on your dipstick

Rough idling

Rougher-running engine

Reduced fuel economy

Oil or burning scents coming from the engine

Knocking or ticking engine sounds, which could suggest your engine isn’t getting properly lubricated

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Before you can take care of an oil change, you need to have the right supplies on hand. Some of those might include:

Socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

New engine oil

New oil filter

New washer for your drain bolt

Drain pan

Funnel

Once you have everything you need, you can start by running your engine for a few minutes, which will help heat the oil and make it easier to drain.

Then, you can shut off your engine, prop open your hood, and the following are the general steps involved with an oil change:

Locate and remove the oil filler cap

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer from under the engine and allow the oil to flow into the drain pan

Remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one, following package instructions

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer

Add fresh engine oil up to the proper fill level

Replace the oil filler cap

Next, it’s time for a quality check:

Check around for any leaks

Run your engine for a few minutes to ensure all is in good working order

After your engine oil has cooled off, use your dipstick to check your oil level one last time, topping it off if you need to

Safely dispose of your used engine oil in a sealed container at the proper recycling center

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