's owner's manual warns that using the wrong engine oil can increase engine cranking times, increase emissions, decrease performance, and decrease fuel economy. This slippery lubricant prevents your car's moving parts from grinding into one another and causing significant damage.

That's why we wrote a whole article about the 2021 Ford F-150's engine oil capacity. Below, you'll find information on how much oil you need, what kind to buy, and when to replace it. So without further ado, here's how to maintain America's favorite truck.

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2021 Ford F-150 engine oil capacity

Depending on its powertrain, the 2021 Ford F-150's engine oil capacity varies, but you'll need at least 6.0 quarts to fill it up.

Each powertrain offered on the '21 F-150 and how much engine oil it uses are listed below:

2.7L EcoBoost engine: 6.0 quarts

3.0L Diesel: 6.5 quarts

3.3L Gas: 6.0 quarts

3.5L EcoBoost: 6.0 quarts

3.5L Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): 6.0 quarts

5.0L Gas: 7.75 quarts

Now, you might wonder why the engine on the left is in liters and the oil tank capacity on the right is in quarts. Engine displacement (or how much space a car’s engine takes up inside the engine compartment) is measured in metric liters. On the other hand, every car's engine oil capacity (which refers to the size of its oil tank) is measured in quarts.

Don't mix them up! For instance, if you poured 2.7L of oil into the first EcoBoost oil tank, you'd barely fill it halfway!

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What kind of oil does a 2021 Ford F-150 need?

The 2021 Ford F-150 has almost as many recommended types of engine oil as it does engines. Here's a cheat sheet that summarizes the information in the

owner's manual

Engine(s)	Recommended engine oil(s)
2.7L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and 5.0L gas	Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor Oil
Alternative engine oil for extremely cold climates (-22°F) to improve cold start performance: SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend
3.0L diesel	Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 F-150 Diesel Motor Oil
Alternative engine oil for extremely cold climates (-22°F) to improve cold start performance: SAE 0W-40 synthetic blend
Alternative engine oil for biodiesel fuel blends: Motorcraft SAE 5W-40 Full Synthetic Diesel Motor Oil
Alternative engine oil for severe duty service: Motorcraft SAE 5W-40 Full Synthetic Diesel Motor Oil
3.3L gas	Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor Oil
Alternative engine oil for extremely cold climates (-22°F) to improve cold start performance: Motorcraft SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

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Motorcraft

is Ford's official parts brand for engine oil. According to the company, it’s formulated specifically for Ford and enhances performance and engine life. It’s also more expensive. If you’d prefer to use a generic option instead, you need to know what to look for.

Let’s tackle the label SAE 5W-30 in three parts:

"SAE" indicates the oil’s viscosity using the rating system set by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Viscosity, or thickness, is the most important aspect of engine oil. You need to ensure that you get the right thickness of oil for your truck's lowest and highest operating temperatures.

“5W” indicates the lowest temperature range at which the oil still performs its best. “W” stands for “winter” and “5” indicates a maximum cold operating temperature of -22°F. It’s one step below “0”, the “highest” cold rating, which indicates a maximum cold operating temperature of -31°F.

“30” indicates the highest temperature range at which the oil still performs its best. SAE 30 oil is commonly used in North America where temperatures don’t exceed 30°C (86°F). However, if you shipped your F-150 to Nigeria, you’d probably have to switch to SAE 40 oil, which is good up to 104°F!

Don't forget to check the container for an API Certification Seal, which resembles a black starburst. The seal certifies that the product has met the performance standards set by the American Petroleum Institute. We know there’s a lot to keep in mind, but do your research and your truck will be the better for it!

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How often to change the oil on a 2021 Ford F-150

How often you need to change your engine oil depends on the type of oil you use and how you drive. A hard rule is to never go beyond one year or 10,000 miles between oil changes. The rest is a rough estimate.

If you use Motorcraft or generic engine oil: every 7,500 to 10,000 miles

If you only make short trips on city streets: every three months

If you make occasional longer trips: every six months

Regularly

check your engine oil

for better precision. Make it a monthly event, or pull out the dipstick whenever you refuel. Here are some sure signs you need to change your oil:

Dirty, dark brown, or black motor oil

Coarse or gritty oil

Unfamiliar engine noises

An oily, smoky, or burning smell

Changes in your car’s performance

Fortunately, the 2021 F-150 comes with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM). When it's time for an oil change, the computer will let you know with an illuminated

oil pressure light

or a message. ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE means you need to change the oil within two weeks or 500 miles. OIL CHANGE REQUIRED means you need to change the oil right now.

And if your IOLM is broken? Well, best to do it every six months or 5,000 miles.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

To perform a Ford F150 oil change, you’ll need to grab a lift or jack and jack stands; ramps, several socket wrenches, a drain pan, and a filter wrench. You should also make sure you have the correct oil filter (if you’re replacing it) and at least six quarts of the right motor oil.

Here’s how to do it:

Warm up your truck for five minutes. Turn off the engine and remove the oil cap.

Secure the truck on a lift or

on jack stands

Position the drip pan under the oil drain plug, remove the plug with a wrench, and let the oil drain out. Replace the drain plug once it’s finished.

Remove the splash shield at the front of the truck, remove the oil filter, and allow the rest of the oil to drain. Replace the filter, tighten it, then replace the splash guard.

Fill the oil tank using a funnel.

Remove the car from the lift or jack stands and replace the oil cap.

To make sure you’ve done everything correctly, you’ll need to run your truck for a few minutes and check for leaks. If the oil pressure light was on, it should now turn off. The last thing you need to do is reset the engine oil reminder so your truck can tell you when it next needs service.

Use the “Menu” button on the steering wheel to enter the Main Menu of the information display.

Select Truck Info/Settings.

Select Oil Life/Vehicle Maintenance.

Select Reset Oil Life or press and hold the “OK” button until the system reset confirmation message appears.

That’s it! With any luck, your F-150 will keep on running for years to come. You’ve done your part—not only will a well-maintained engine save you money on repairs, it can also save you money on

car insurance

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