The 2010 Ford F-150 4.6L engine is all you could ask for: solid reliability and handling and powerful performance when you need it. But if you’re hoping to enjoy your F-150 for the long term, it may help to know its oil capacity.

Owning a truck can get expensive, especially when it comes to maintenance, but it’s essential to stay on top of tasks like routine oil changes if you’re hoping to keep your vehicle on the road for the long haul. To save a little time and money, some drivers opt to take care of oil changes themselves—in which case it helps to know your engine’s oil capacity, as well as its required oil type.

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2010 Ford F-150 4.6L engine oil capacity

First things first: just how much engine oil does a 2010 Ford F-150 4.6-liter engine need?

The 2010 Ford F-150’s 4.6-liter engine has an oil capacity of 6 quarts or 5.7 liters.

It’s important to remember that even within the same model year, the Ford F-150 comes with different engine options, which will have different oil capacities. If you’re not sure what type of engine you have, you can confirm it by checking your owner’s manual, the label on the inside of your driver’s side door frame, or the information on the engine itself.

Be sure not to mistake the “4.6 liters” here for your engine’s oil capacity—this is actually your engine displacement, which is the total volume your engine cylinders take up. If you relied on this number, you could risk coming up short on engine oil if you were taking care of an oil change yourself.

MORE:

How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2010 Ford F-150 4.6L need?

In addition to knowing your 2010 Ford F-150’s oil capacity, it’s vital to know its required oil type. Using the wrong kind of engine oil could cause serious damage to your Ford’s engine.

The 2010 Ford F-150 4.6-liter engine requires 5W-20 engine oil. This is the engine oil’s viscosity grade, which gives you information about its thickness at different temperatures.

The “5” here refers to the oil’s viscosity at colder temperatures before you’ve started your vehicle, while the “20” refers to its viscosity at normal engine operating temperatures around 212°F.

As you consider various engine oil options, here are a few worth looking into:

Ford’s first pick: Your F-150’s owner’s manual recommends opting for

Motorcraft

engine oil with the correct specifications as a first choice.

A high-mileage option: For vehicles with over 75,000 miles, high-mileage options like this

STP Engine Oil

can provide added protection.

A synthetic option: For better performance, and to last longer between oil changes, consider a synthetic motor oil, like this

Valvoline

synthetic blend.

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2010 Ford F-150 4.6L

Knowing your oil capacity and oil type is one thing, but how often should you actually change your oil?

The answer depends on various factors. Generally, if you’re using conventional oil, it’s recommended you change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you’re using synthetic oil, that range can extend to every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

However, if your 2010 Ford F-150 regularly has its limits tested in situations like driving on dusty roads, up steep inclines, or towing heavy loads, you might end up needing to change your engine oil sooner than you’d otherwise have to.

If you’re a more infrequent driver, it’s still wise to change your oil at least every six months to ensure it stays clear of debris.

Since the right time to change your oil can vary so widely, it’s important to check it once a month. When it’s time for an oil change, here are some signs you might notice:

Engine oil is dark brown or black in color (as opposed to light brown)

Engine oil has a grainy texture, indicating a buildup of debris

Weird engine noises

Rougher-running engine

Noticeable decline in performance

Oil or burning smells coming from the engine

MORE:

How to build a custom Ford F150

How to change your oil and oil filter

When it’s finally time for your F-150 to have an oil change, the first thing you’ll need to take care of is gathering your car tools and supplies. Those will include:

A socket wrench

An oil filter wrench

A funnel

A drain pan

Fresh engine oil

A new oil filter

A new washer for your drain bolt

Towel(s) for cleanup

Once you have what you need, let your engine run a few minutes, then shut it off again. This will heat up the engine oil and make it easier to drain. Then, prop open your hood, and here’s how you can proceed:

Remove the oil fill cap

Underneath the vehicle, remove the oil drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to empty into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with the new one

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer

Add fresh engine oil to the proper fill level

Replace the oil fill cap

From here, you can let your engine run for a few minutes again and check around for any leaks. After the engine has cooled off again, you can check the oil level one last time to make sure it’s still where it should be, topping it off if necessary.

One final step: be sure to properly dispose of your old engine oil. It’s a hazardous material, so you can’t just dispose of it anywhere. Many cities have drop-off locations where you can recycle it, and some auto shops and dealerships will accept used oil as well.

The last step: clean up. Don’t dump the dirty oil out on the ground or put it in your garbage bin. Instead, place it in a sealed container and bring it to a local recycling center.

MORE:

The top 10 cheapest trucks to insure

Remember regular insurance policy maintenance

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