The Ford Flex was a large and in-charge SUV sold between 2009 and 2019. If you have a Ford Flex and want to keep this family hauler around for generations to come and steer clear of avoidable

car repairs

, routine maintenance is key—which involves knowing that the Flex’s engine oil capacity is six quarts.

The three-row Ford Flex only stuck around for one generation before it was discontinued. Looking more like a monstrous station wagon than an SUV, this large automotive creature could hold passengers and cargo like nobody’s business. Two V6 engine choices were available for the Ford Flex—the type of oil you'll need for an oil change will depend on which engine your Flex has.

Read on for everything you need to know to Flex your oil changing muscles!

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Ford Flex engine oil capacity

When getting ready to change your SUV’s oil, the first question is: how much oil are you going to need? The Ford Flex has an oil capacity of six quarts, no matter which version of the 3.5-liter V6 engine you have.

The “3.5-liter” value refers to the amount of volume that the Flex’s six engine cylinders take up—this is called the engine’s displacement. Displacement isn’t the same thing as oil capacity, so don’t let those numbers mislead you!

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What kind of oil does a Ford Flex need?

The Ford Flex’s two engine choices may need the same amount of oil, but they require different kinds of oil. Here’s what the owner’s manual says: if you have a 3.5-liter Duratec V6 engine, then you need premium 5W-20 oil, but if you have a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, then you’ll need premium 5W-30 oil. Both of these engines are 3.5-liter V6s, so make sure you know which one you have!

Ford recommends genuine synthetic blend

Motorcraft oil

, but the manual says that full synthetic is fine too. If you can’t find the Motorcraft brand, it’s not a dealbreaker—any premium grade oil of the correct type is okay. Just make sure it has the API Certification Seal for Gasoline Engines on it, and you should be good to go.

What does all that on the label mean? Good question! The numbers tell us about the viscosity of the oil, or how thick it is, and the “W” stands for winter. The 5 means that this oil flows well when things are very cold, and the 20 or 30 means that it also stays at an appropriate viscosity when things are hot.

You want an oil that works well in a broad range of ambient temperatures so that your engine stays well-lubricated and protected from wear and tear. Stick with

Ford

’s recommended engine oil grade and you’ll get the best and longest-lasting performance from your Flex!

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How often to change the oil on your Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is equipped with an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor System, which tells you when you’re due for an oil change. The frequency depends on your driving habits and your environment. Your Flex might be able to go as much as 10,000 miles between oil changes, but if your Flex requests an oil change, make sure you take care of it in the next 500 miles.

If the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor System ever goes on the fritz, Ford recommends that you change your oil every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.

That being said, every vehicle and situation is different—and there’s no substitute for good old-fashioned vigilance. Keep an eye out for any of these signs that you’re due for an oil change:

Dirty motor oil that’s dark brown or black in color—clean oil should be light brown or amber

Motor oil that feels coarse, or has debris in it

Strange noises coming from the engine

New odors or exhaust, particularly if it

smells like oil

, smoke, or burning

Poor vehicle performance

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Changing your oil and oil filter

Want to give changing your oil yourself a crack? Good for you! You’ll need some tools and supplies: namely a drain pan, funnel, socket wrench, and a wrench designed for the oil filter. You’ll also need six quarts of the right oil for your engine and a new oil filter.

Once you have safely put your Flex on jack stands or a lift, let the engine run for a few minutes until it reaches normal operating temperature. Once things are warmed up, pop the hood and proceed as follows:

Unscrew the oil fill cap

From underneath the engine, remove the oil drain bolt and washer, and allow the oil to drain into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and gasket, and install the new ones according to the enclosed instructions

Let the old oil drain out fully

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten appropriately

Refill the engine with the fresh oil, and screw on the oil fill cap

Start your Flex and let it run for a few minutes to let the new oil circulate and fill the filter. Check the oil level with your dipstick—you may need to top it off a bit due to the oil that the filter absorbs.

After that, let the engine run for a few minutes and monitor closely for any leaks. If all is well, the

oil pressure light

should be off.

The final flex: proper clean up! Never dump old oil down the drain or on the ground, or just toss it in your trash can. Place it in a properly sealed container and bring it to your nearest oil recycling center—most auto parts stores accept used oil for recycling.

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