The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular vehicles in automotive history, and knowing its oil capacity, type, and how to change it will help you keep your 2010 F-150 5.4 in great shape for many years.
Classic, iconic, and perpetually popular, the Ford F-150 has been the go-to truck for people from all walks of life for decades. If you own an F-150, you’ll know that it’s exceptionally rugged and dependable. That being said, keeping up with the routine maintenance on your truck will prolong its life and help keep it in running form.
Knowing how to change the oil is a great place to start, and Jerry
, the super app for car insurance
is here to help! Read on to learn not only the oil capacity of the 2010 Ford F-150 5.4, but also the best oil type to use, how to change it, and also how to get a great deal on your Ford F-150 insurance costs
. 2010 Ford F-150 5.4 engine oil capacity
Let’s start with the basics: how much engine oil does a 2010 Ford F-150 5.4 need?
If you have a 5.4-liter Triton V8 engine in your F-150, it has an oil capacity of 7 quarts or 6.6 liters. The Ford F-150 is available in a range of engine options, and it’s critical to know exactly what your engine specifications are when it comes to proper maintenance.
Pro Tip The 5.4-liter figure refers to the engine’s displacement or the volume that its eight cylinders take up—not to be confused with the engine’s oil capacity. You don’t want to assume that the numbers are interchangeable!
What kind of oil does a 2010 Ford F-150 5.4 need?
You’ll know that there are a lot of different kinds of oils on the market if you’ve ever been to an auto parts store. But which one does the F-150 need?
According to the F-150’s owner's manual, Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 engine oil. Make sure the oil you get has the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) seal of approval and is labeled for use in gasoline engines. Ford recommends that you use the Motorcraft brand or an equivalent oil with the same specifications.
The numbers in the oil grade refer to the oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is. The “W” stands for winter, and the number 5 before the “W” tells us that this oil’s got a low viscosity during cold weather. The number 20 means that it’s relatively thin at higher temperatures as well.
Ford recommends this oil type because it’ll perform well under a wide range of conditions and give your truck the best fuel economy and engine protection. If you can’t find Motorcraft, the manual states that any quality synthetic blend of the same weight and specifications will be fine.
Key Takeaway You want to make sure you adhere to the manufacturer’s oil specifications to avoid engine issues—and a voided warranty.
How often to change the oil on a 2010 Ford F-150 5.4
The owner’s manual specifies that you need to change the oil in your F-150 every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. If you don’t put a lot of miles on your truck, aim for changing the oil every six months.
Real-world scenarios don’t always match up with the manual’s scenarios, so make sure to check your oil level regularly (about once a month). Finally, watch for the following signs that your oil needs a change:
Color change: motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black color, while clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea.
Motor oil that feels coarse or gritty
Unfamiliar noises coming from the engine
New smells, especially anything that smells like oil, smoke, or burning
Changes in your vehicle’s performance
MORE: Ford F-150 towing capacity
How to change your oil and oil filter
Gather your car tools and supplies! You’ll need a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter. Don’t forget to get a replacement oil filter and seven quarts of premium 5W-20 engine oil.
Pro Tip Most bottles of oil have a five-quart capacity, so you’ll likely need two for your F-150!
Start with running the engine for a bit until it reaches normal operating temperature. Typically, this should only take a few minutes. Once things are warmed up, turn the engine off, pop the hood, and follow these steps:
Get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, draining the old oil into the drain pan
Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain
Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft
Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill 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.
Use your dipstick to check and make sure that you’ve added enough oil to the engine, but be very careful not to overfill it. The manual states that the oil level just needs to be within the “Max” and “Min” mark—it doesn’t necessarily need to be all the way to the “Max” mark.
Once you’re finished and tightened everything back up, run your truck for a few minutes and look carefully for any leaks. If everything’s good, your car's oil pressure light
should turn off. Finally, the all-important clean-up! Don’t just dump the dirty oil out on the ground or toss it in your garbage bin. Here are some options to dispose of the dirty oil:
Place it on the curb. Some garbage haulers will take used engine oil if it’s in a proper container. This varies by location, so check with your garbage company to see if they offer this service.
Take it to the auto parts stores, since many will accept used motor oil.
Bring it to a local recycling center in a sealed container.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
Your oil isn’t the only thing that benefits from routine maintenance—experts recommend that you should shop for car insurance every six months to make sure that you’re always getting the best deal possible without compromising the coverage you need.
Who has time for that, you ask? Jerry
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