Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Dumb question on adding oil

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:19 PM
  #1  
Padlock's Avatar
Padlock
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Dumb question on adding oil

I need to top off my oil I know its 15 40 so do I just add a quart, crank it and then check it? Does my engine have to be cold? Sorry im new
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:27 PM
  #2  
mustang_309's Avatar
mustang_309
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
Originally Posted by Padlock
I need to top off my oil I know its 15 40 so do I just add a quart, crank it and then check it? Does my engine have to be cold? Sorry im new
That is what I would do, add a quart, start it let it circulate a bit shut it down let the oil settle to the oil pan and check it again.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:27 PM
  #3  
Mcrafty1's Avatar
Mcrafty1
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Originally Posted by Padlock
I need to top off my oil I know its 15 40 so do I just add a quart, crank it and then check it? Does my engine have to be cold? Sorry im new
Couple of questions......Do you know HOW MUCH oil you need to add? if so just add that much and wait a few before you check it

If you don't know how much you need to put in it (if you can't reach it on the dipstick now) add at least 2 quarts and wait a few and then check it after it touches the dipstick it usually will take 2 quarts to full, I didn't notice what you had for an engine but low mark to full is usually 1 quart.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:28 PM
  #4  
Padlock's Avatar
Padlock
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mcrafty1
Couple of questions......Do you know HOW MUCH oil you need to add? if so just add that much and wait a few before you check it

If you don't know how much you need to put in it (if you can't reach it on the dipstick now) add at least 2 quarts and wait a few and then check it after it touches the dipstick it usually will take 2 quarts to full, I didn't notice what you had for an engine but low mark to full is usually 1 quart.
Not on dipstick, it's a 6.0
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:28 PM
  #5  
dannyboy950's Avatar
dannyboy950
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
Check and add oil when cold not running, A running engine will give a false reading.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:32 PM
  #6  
Mcrafty1's Avatar
Mcrafty1
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Originally Posted by Padlock
Not on dipstick, it's a 6.0
Add at least a couple of quarts to a time and then check it you don't need to start the engine and then turn it off, the oil drains to the crank case when you add it to the filler spout.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 02:49 PM
  #7  
Euroman's Avatar
Euroman
Senior User
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 1,583
From: France
Club FTE Gold Member
Diesel supplement states:

have engine at normal operating temp

park on level surface

wait 20 mins

remove dipstick, wipe, replace

remove, look at both sides and take the higher oil level as your reference

maintain oil level between ADD and OPERATING RANGE. distance between the 2 marks is 2qt. do not overfill
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 03:15 PM
  #8  
Padlock's Avatar
Padlock
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Euroman
Diesel supplement states:

have engine at normal operating temp

park on level surface

wait 20 mins

remove dipstick, wipe, replace

remove, look at both sides and take the higher oil level as your reference

maintain oil level between ADD and OPERATING RANGE. distance between the 2 marks is 2qt. do not overfill
Does it matter what brand as long as 15-40?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 03:35 PM
  #9  
Euroman's Avatar
Euroman
Senior User
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 1,583
From: France
Club FTE Gold Member
Oil should be API CI-4 or better, but the viscosity depends on the temperature. 15W-40 is preferred above 30deg, 10W-30 down to -10. The only requirement stated is that heavy towing above 50deg requires 15W-40. If it gets real cold where you are the supplement states you can use 5W-30 or even 0W-30, but you'll have to change it when the weather gets warm again. it's on page 36 of the 2005 diesel supplement.

Personally I'm using 5W-40 Mobil TDT 5W-40 which is CJ-4 and it seems OK. easy starting down to 30deg, have to see how good when it gets real cold over here
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 04:28 PM
  #10  
Padlock's Avatar
Padlock
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Euroman
Oil should be API CI-4 or better, but the viscosity depends on the temperature. 15W-40 is preferred above 30deg, 10W-30 down to -10. The only requirement stated is that heavy towing above 50deg requires 15W-40. If it gets real cold where you are the supplement states you can use 5W-30 or even 0W-30, but you'll have to change it when the weather gets warm again. it's on page 36 of the 2005 diesel supplement.

Personally I'm using 5W-40 Mobil TDT 5W-40 which is CJ-4 and it seems OK. easy starting down to 30deg, have to see how good when it gets real cold over here
Okay sounds like 1540 is best for me but they used penZoil at the shop and I have some rotella 15-40. That's ok?
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 09:01 PM
  #11  
Mcrafty1's Avatar
Mcrafty1
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Originally Posted by Padlock
Okay sounds like 1540 is best for me but they used penZoil at the shop and I have some rotella 15-40. That's ok?
If your going to use dino oil 15w40 rotella is probably as good as it gets.

If I was going to use dino oil that is what I'd use....I have always used that in my big trucks.....I use 5w40 delo in my 6.0 year around I don't tow a lot and I don't put a lot of miles on so it's not a money saving thing, If I put a lot of miles on I would probably use the rotella 15w40 in the warmer months.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 09:06 PM
  #12  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,881
Likes: 3,595
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Euroman
Oil should be API CI-4 or better, but the viscosity depends on the temperature. 15W-40 is preferred above 30deg, 10W-30 down to -10. The only requirement stated is that heavy towing above 50deg requires 15W-40. If it gets real cold where you are the supplement states you can use 5W-30 or even 0W-30, but you'll have to change it when the weather gets warm again. it's on page 36 of the 2005 diesel supplement.

Personally I'm using 5W-40 Mobil TDT 5W-40 which is CJ-4 and it seems OK. easy starting down to 30deg, have to see how good when it gets real cold over here
Ford updated their charts on recommended oils (chart on bottom of page 3 in the link below).

5W-40 is rated from -20*F to over 100*F and is good for heavy towing since it is a 40 wt oil.

http://www.powerstrokediesel.com/doc...renceSheet.pdf
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2014 | 07:43 AM
  #13  
Euroman's Avatar
Euroman
Senior User
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 1,583
From: France
Club FTE Gold Member
Thanks for that, good info, shame Ford don't update their documentation - I downloaded their latest 2005 Diesel Supplement just a couple months ago. Also good to know that I'm using an oil recommended for all-year use where I live. Its about the only CJ-4 I can easily get at a sensible price...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dh_meyer
2009 - 2014 F150
18
Jun 1, 2023 03:38 PM
SJMaye
2015 - 2020 F150
11
Oct 2, 2018 09:31 PM
fred-texas
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Jul 1, 2018 10:10 AM
Adventure Rider
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Sep 3, 2012 08:09 AM
hammer toe
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Oct 1, 2007 08:44 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:22 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE