Produced from 1990 to 2014, the 4.6 is a modular V8 engine from Ford. Over the years, this bad boy powered everything from the iconic F-150 to the venerable Crown Victoria. No matter what specific model you’re driving, though, it’s important to know how much engine oil the 4.6 takes.

The 4.6 was one of the first engines to join the “Ford Modular” family and was in continual production for almost 25 years. The 4.6 has powered everything from the humble Lincoln Town Car to the 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra, commonly known as the “Terminator.” If you happen to drive one of over a dozen vehicles powered by the 4.6, you can save both time and money by changing your own oil.

If you don’t know how, then no problem.

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Ford 4.6 engine oil capacity

Let’s get down to brass tacks: how much oil does a Ford 4.6 engine need?

The 4.6 (which is a V8) has an oil capacity of 6 quarts or 5.7 liters.

An important note before we go any further: If you happen to find the

engine displacement

listed somewhere, know that this is completely different from oil capacity. The measurements are not interchangeable. Displacement refers to the amount of oil that your engine’s cylinders need to function, but oil capacity is simply the amount of oil that you need for an oil change.

What kind of oil does a Ford 4.6 engine need?

It’s time to move on and discuss the specific kind of oil you’ll need to use with your 4.6. Different engines require different types of oil to function properly, so don’t head to the auto parts section just yet.

For the 4.6 engine, Ford recommends that you use 5W-20 synthetic blend motor oil.

Let’s break that down a little. The numbers indicate the viscosity (thickness) of the oil, while the W means winter. The 5 shows that the oil stays thin in cold temperatures, while the 20 tells us that it keeps a low viscosity in the extreme heat as well.

This is a good kind of oil to use because it will perform well no matter how hot or cold it is. On top of that, the low viscosity will prolong your car’s life by reducing wear on the engine.

If you’re still on the fence as to what kind of oil to buy, here are a few suggestions:

The manufacturer recommendation: For the best result according to the manufacturer, try

Motorcraft 5W-20 synthetic blend motor oil

Option 2:You could also try

Mobil 1 Extended Performance Engine Oil High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30

Option 3: Another good option would be

LIQUI MOLY Leichtlauf 5W40 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a Ford 4.6

Now that you know what you need and how much to get, it’s time to get down to the business of

changing your oil

For the Ford 4.6, it’s important to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that it’s a good idea to regularly check your oil. That way, you won’t have any unpleasant and unforeseen surprises waiting for you at the next oil change. You don’t have to check all the time, though—once a month or every other trip to the gas station should do the trick.

When you check, take a good look at the level of the oil, and watch out for these signs telling you that it’s time for an oil change:

Strange noises start coming from the engine

You smell something unusual, namely oil, smoke, or burning

You notice changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

The most common problems with Ford

How to change your oil and oil filter

We hope you’re ready because it’s go time! Grab a socket wrench, filter wrench, and a drain pan, and make sure you have a new oil filter and six quarts of 5W-20 motor oil. Then, just follow these steps:

Start the engine and let it idle for five minutes

Shut off the engine

Take off the oil fill cap

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer and let the old oil leak into the drain pan

Take off the old oil filter and keep letting the oil drain

Put on the new filter

Use a new washer to replace the old drain bolt and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap

Once that’s done, use the dipstick to make sure you added enough oil and let the engine idle for a few more minutes (keep an eye out for leaks). If everything is copacetic, the

oil pressure light

should turn off after a few minutes.

Last, but certainly not least, is clean up. Never, under any circumstances, pour the dirty oil on the ground or throw it in the trash. Always put the dirty oil in a sealed container and bring it to the nearest recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Congratulations, you did it! Keeping up with your

basic car maintenance schedule

on your 4.6 and it will stay by your side for a long time to come, not to mention the time and money you’ll save on Ford car insurance costs.

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