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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 08:03 PM
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Oil change question

Just performed the first oil change on my new (to me) 3.0 ranger yesterday. I'm kinda baffled, the manual says it holds 4.5 quarts with filter change. Well, I added the recommended 4.5 quarts, and it only showed about 3/4 the way to full on the dipstick. I was on level concrete floor, started truck, let run, shut down, checked, still not full. I ended up adding the other 1/2 quart and it then showed completely full. It took the whole 5 quarts. Anyone else's take this much? Could i possibly have a 4.0 liter oil pan or something???
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 08:20 PM
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My 99 3.0 also takes 5 quarts.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 08:57 AM
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Yes, my 2.5L '98 did the same thing - manual says 4.5qts. w/filter, and when changed it showed 1/2qt. low on dipstick (on level ground, warmed then allowed to cool...etc.)
I took the other line and decided to go w/the specification of 4.5qts. Maybe Ford deliberately sets the dipstick this way so the range is from 1/2 qt over, to 1/2 qt under rather than 0 qt over to 1 qt under.
Whadaya think?
OFG49
 

Last edited by Oldfordguy49; Jan 25, 2005 at 09:00 AM. Reason: Technical error
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 02:40 PM
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Is this possibly an issue of using a "higher capacity" oil filter? Might account for the 1/2 qt difference. If not then maybe Oldfordguy49 is on to something.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 03:39 PM
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i used the motorcraft filter listed for the truck. just wondering how many other people have ran across this???
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:59 PM
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My 3.0 is the same, 5 qrts. with motocraft or any other filter the I have used.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldfordguy49
Maybe Ford deliberately sets the dipstick this way so the range is from 1/2 qt over, to 1/2 qt under rather than 0 qt over to 1 qt under. Whadaya think?
I think you are absolutely correct. With my 2.5L '99, adding the recommended 4.5qt of oil (carefully measured) and using a Motorcraft filter always puts the oil level slightly above the middle of the "cross-hatched" area on the dipstick. I read that this tends to be the case with newer Ford cars and trucks. It's probably Ford's way of indicating that it is OK to go a little above or a little below the recommended 4.5qts.
 

Last edited by kontai69; Jan 25, 2005 at 06:50 PM.
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 10:25 PM
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I have found the same thing on my '03 2.3.The manual calls for 4qts with filter change.It shows just above half way on dipstick.I'm running it that way.My son had it before me and had the oil changed at dealership at about 4000 miles.I bought it from him and checked the oil and it showed about a pint over full.This concerned me somewhat,so I checked the dealer invoice and it showed that they charged him for 5 quarts.I thought they overfilled it so I changed it again according to the manual.Still not sure,but the manual must be right.Maybe someone else has the answer.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 07:56 PM
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Don't have the answer, but my 2004 3.0L does the same thing.

Glad to hear others show the same, because before my last change I checked the stick and thought last time I might have screwed up and only put 3.5 quarts in - or that an engine with 9K miles was already consuming oil.

I'll sleep better tonight.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2005 | 01:40 AM
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I tossed my manual in the trash the first day!

Not really, but after looking at it I was not impressed. After closely examining the manual it does not surprise me that they would screw up like that. Its allmost worthless.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2005 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Oldfordguy49
Yes, my 2.5L '98 did the same thing - manual says 4.5qts. w/filter, and when changed it showed 1/2qt. low on dipstick (on level ground, warmed then allowed to cool...etc.)
I took the other line and decided to go w/the specification of 4.5qts. Maybe Ford deliberately sets the dipstick this way so the range is from 1/2 qt over, to 1/2 qt under rather than 0 qt over to 1 qt under.
Whadaya think?
OFG49
I've got a 2000 3.0L, after 4.5 qts. it shows maybe 3/4 of the way up the marked area on the stick. I think it's o.k., never had any problems with it. I used a Fram filter, I guess different brands might hold different amounts but you would think they would all be close to the same capacity, go figure...
 
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Old Mar 5, 2005 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by mcookd
I've got a 2000 3.0L, after 4.5 qts. it shows maybe 3/4 of the way up the marked area on the stick. I think it's o.k., never had any problems with it. I used a Fram filter, I guess different brands might hold different amounts but you would think they would all be close to the same capacity, go figure...
actually its fords way of saving tons and tons of money. instead of putting 5 qts in at the factory they install 4.5. that adds up to a lot of money savings when they build your truck. 4.5 qts or 5, it all works.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2005 | 06:16 PM
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Yup.... 4.5 to get 1/2 full on dip stick

plus a pain to store the other 1/2 quart in a 5 quart container you purchase in.... thanks.... I'll dump the full 5... end of story....
 
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