I have a 2000 E150 with the 4.2L V-6. My question is the manual calls for 6qts of engine oil. But with 6qts in, the dipstick shows 1/2 below full (1/2 of the cross section fill area). Is it off since it is a van and the dipstick is 6' long? Or does it really take 6.5qts?

 

Sounds like your dipstick is right on the mark. It doesn't need to be at the very top of the "acceptable" range, halfway is just fine. Sounds like your manual is spot on if 6.0 quarts puts you right at the middle of the acceptable range.

 

The 4.6 is the same; manual says capacity is 6 quarts and that puts the oil in the middle of the crosshatched area on the dipstick. If I added a half quart and put it at the top of the stick, it seemed to burn off that half quart a bit faster than if I just put in 6 quarts and kept that as my normal level.

George