The 2020 Ford F450 is an impressive blend of a powerful engine and towing capacity plus maximum interior comfort and style. But without regular oil changes, even the F450 will stop performing well. The first step to keeping your truck running smoothly is to know the oil capacity.

With higher insurance premiums and even increased costs for maintenance and repairs, owning a truck can add up quickly. If you want to

save money on car expenses

, you can change your 2020 Ford F450’s oil yourself.

Jerry

can walk you through changing your F450’s oil, including what kind of oil to get, how much you need, and how to get the job done. Plus, our

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truck insurance

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2020 Ford F450 engine oil capacity

The first thing you need to know is how much engine oil your 2020 Ford F450 requires.

The 7.3-liter engine needs 8 quarts of oil or roughly 7.6 liters. Don’t let the “7.8-liter engine” fool you —this refers to the engine’s displacement, or how much volume the cylinders take up. The oil capacity is how much engine oil it takes to fill the reservoir. The numbers are not interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Ford F450 need?

Now that you know how much oil you need for your F450, you need to choose the right type of engine oil. Ford recommends using a premium quality 5W-30 synthetic blend or fully synthetic engine oil for your truck.

Not sure what the difference is? The numbers let you know the viscosity of the engine oil at different temperatures. Oils are rated on a scale of 0-50, with 0 meaning your oil stays thin at extremely cold temperatures, and 50 means that it stays thin at normal engine operating temperatures.

The Ford F450 owner’s manual suggests

MotorcraftⓇ SAE 5W-30

synthetic motor oil. If you are unable to find Motorcraft, another brand will do just fine as long as it meets the same standards and requirements.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2020 Ford F450

So you know how much oil your F450 needs and even what type to get. So now how do you know if your truck needs an oil change?

Ford's regular

car maintenance schedule

recommends changing your 2020 Ford F450’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. This keeps your oil clean and eliminates the risk of damage to your engine.

If you use synthetic or synthetic blend oil, you might be able to go longer between oil changes. As long as you regularly check your oil levels, synthetic engine oil can last about 7,500 or 10,000 miles before it needs changing.

However, if your F450 starts showing any of the following signs, you’ll want to change your oil soon:

Oil that is dark brown or black—clean oil is light brown or amber

Oil that is gritty

or coarse when you rub it between your fingers

Strange or

loud engine noises

Smoke or burning smells from the engine

Any changes in vehicle performance

MORE:

Does Ford have a self-driving car?

How to change your oil and oil filter

When you’re ready to change your 2020 Ford F450’s oil, grab your 8 quarts of new engine oil, a replacement air filter, and the right tools. You’ll need a socket wrench, an air filter wrench, and a pan to catch the old oil.

Run your truck’s engine for about five minutes to heat up the oil. This will make draining the old engine oil much easier. When your engine is warm, shut it off,

open the hood

, and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

Position your drain pan under the vehicle and remove the oil drain bolt to drain the old engine oil

While the old oil is draining, remove the old oil filter

Install the new filter

When the old oil is completely drained, replace the oil drain bolt

Refill the oil reservoir with new oil and replace the 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.

Make sure you dispose of your old engine oil properly—never put it in the trash or dump it on the ground! Pour it into a sealed container and take it to a designated recycling facility.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Handling some of the regular maintenance your 2020 Ford F450 needs on your own can save you some money, and so can examining your

auto insurance

policy.

With

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