What is the true capacity???? In my book it says 6 qts which includes the filter. On my radiator shroud I have a grease pencil marking that says 7 qts of the Motercraft oil and the part number for the filter..... Which is correct? did an oil change this weekend and I put 6 in it and it probably would take a little more but I do not want to over fill it.

 

On my 4.6 and all 4.6/5.4's I've seen, 6 quarts puts it in the middle of the acceptable area. Some people like to fill to the top of the acceptable area; which takes 6-1/2 quarts in my experience. While I doubt that 7 quarts would cause a problem if the old oil was drained hot and thoroughly, I would not put that much in.

 

I have a 2000 F-150 with the 5.4 liter. Came up with the same question as yourself since I noticed that 6 qts is not quite enough. Settled on 6.5 qts. Works fine and easy. Probably would not go with 7 qts. By the way, I reseached a number of years and Ford seems to stick with 6 quarts for the 4.6 and 5.4 liter V8's. Don't know why?

 

THanks for the info. 6.5 qts it is....

 

manual says 6 us quarts. dont think 6.5 q. would hurt tho, but as others mentioned 7 is too much

 

Until I saw this post, I was going to ask the same thing. I have a 2003 Super Crew 4X4 with a 5.4L. I'm using Mobile 1 5W-30.
When I changed the oil, I put 6 quarts in & got the same result,
1/2 way up the acceptable operatiing range. 6.5 quarts pretty much puts it "right on". I'm pleased to see that my situation is not unique, but very "miffed" that Ford doesn't list the capacity as such in the manual. Unfortunatley, I have spoken with various folks in Ford Service Depts. who either are not aware of the situation & can't address it, or are aware of it and just shrug their shoulders. (This includes a couple of service managers.) WHAT IN THE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS IS GOING ON HERE!!!???? The crime is not having the 6.5 quarts capacity. (Actually, more oil, cooler oil.) The crime is listing it as 6 quarts in the manual. Where do I go for a straight answer? Who can answer this from a point of knowledge? Though I am kind of a Chevy guy, I have owned a couple of Fords before, and never have had anything of this sort occur. (The listed capacity in the manual has always been what the capacity really was.) I have no problem with Fords, but am picky to a fault. It's a great truck otherwise...

 

Well, I think that it's not unreasonable to specify capacity in the middle of the acceptable range. I know its not what we're used to, but maybe it minimizes overfilling.

Those of us who are **** about keeping it "FULL" (myself included), can do 6-1/2!

 

the manual says crank case should have six quarts for oil and filter change. I figure the bottles are accruately measured at one quart each and i stop filling after 6 bottles regardless of whether the dip stick is in the middle or at the top of the fill line. Six qts fills my 97 4.6L to the middle of the fill line and i use that as reference point for subsequent oil checks. I agree with the others though, would be nice if the dip stick read full with 6 qts in the engine.

 

So cut a little bit of the dipstick tube off, the same distance that the 1/2 way acceptable is, and it will read full every time you change your oil.
Jimmy

 

i wouldnt modify the filler tube as there is a slight knurl on mine and i would risk introduction of dirt/contaminants. Far as i am concerned, the current setup is fine. 6 qts takes it to the middle of the safe range and that is good enough for me.

 

Say what? Cut a little bit of the dipstick off? That is the most laughable thing I've heard. I'ts up to FORD TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.

Either:
1.) Revise the capacity listed in the manual to 6.5 quarts as it really is & put out a TSB.
OR
2.) Re-shape the oil pan to reflect what the manual says.

Obviously, number 1 above is the right answer. Note that I didn't have option number 3 as, "owner hack up truck due to Ford's ineptitude." The problem in this country is a lack of accountability... Own up to your mistakes & rectify them, pure & simple. This is a $37k new truck. I'd think FORD could get the capacity to correlate between what it actually is & what is in the owner's manual.

 

I just suggested that for all of the **** people who want everything perfect. I agree that Ford should either change the literature or rectify the problem. We all know that they hold 6 1/2 quarts to be full and that's what we will add at every oil change.
My dad's 89 F150 5.0 was the same way, I modified the tube to make it easier for him to keep from overfilling it. After an oil change and 6 qt's of fresh oil, it would show 1qt low. My 5.0 LX Mustang shows overfull when it is changed, it goes past the full mark to a round dot. I bought it new and I know that it unmodified.
I guess Ford has always had a problem with dipsticks, although my 96 Windstar is right on the money.
Jimmy

 

As I recall learning, growing up, that having a "full" sump ain't necessarily the good thing (blow by, higher pressures in some cases leading to blown seals...). That's why there is a range... hashmarks or other descriptive marks to keep the oil in a range. If 6.0 quarts(US) is what puts mine in this range, then that's all I put in. Buying that extra quart every other oil change seems like a waste to me, it solves the whole dilemma about whether the owner's manual needs a revision. Perfection is great, but use it in moderation.

-Kerry