5.0L Took 6 qts. of Oil

[SR77]

I just bought a 1996 Explorer V8 AWD from my parents and did the first oil change on it since i got it. The owners manual says that the oil capacity of the 5.0L is 5 qts. but when I changed the oil and filter it took 6 qts. to get it up around the full mark on the dip stick. Is this something i should be concerned with and if so what could be wrong? How many qts. do most of you that have the 5.0L use at an oil change? I added 5 qts. and drove the truck for a day and when i checked it, the oil didn't even register on the dip stick and it took just about another qt. to fill it up. Thanks for the help

 

[VairKing]

If you changed the filter, mine usually takes 5.5 quarts or a little more, so there is your extra quart i bet...I wouldnt worry about it....

 

[Futbol2369]

yeah if you have also changed your filter then the oil will also will that up so i would just wait and check the level after a little while

 

[Bill Kemp]

Just for the heck of it check that the filter is on tight and you arnt loosing some oil.

 

[SR77]

Thanks for the replys. Yeah, the filter is on tight enough and i have been driving it now for a week. It took 5 and 3/4 qts to get it up around the full mark, so it took just under 6 qts. I don't understand why Ford put the oil capacity at 5 qts in the manual if it takes more with a filter change. I was worried that maybe it was the wrong dipstick and that i did over fill it, but if some of you other 5.0L owners experience the same thing each oil change i guess i just won't worry about what Ford says in the manual. Thanks for all the help.

 

[rad-man]

can anyone tell me how many qts i should drop in with an oil/filter change on a 4.0? I put in ~5.5 and it had a little trouble starting the first time. too much oil?

 

[Alec]

Many mechanics say you should mostly fill the oil filter before you put it on, there's where your difference is. In all truth, the oil filter is not usually considered in total oil volume.

rad-man: your dipstick will tell you if you have too much oil.

 

[jimbo74]

i am technically a tire and lube technician at work and i do about 20 oil changes a week.... with most cars, the 4 cyl cars get about 4-4.5 qts, v6s get about 5-5.5 and v8s get between 6-8 depending on the size

fords seem to normally take more though than other manufacturers... like a 4cyl escort will take 5 qts and a 5.0l x will take about 7

 

[SR77]

7 qts on the V8! In the manual that comes with my truck it says, Oil Change with Filter - 5qts. I guess i can live with it taking 6 qts if other 5.0L owners are experienceing the same thing each oil change, but if it took 7 qts, i would have to say something is wrong. That is 2 qts. more then the Ford Manual says

 

[X01Sport]

The Owners Manual for my '01 Sport (4.0) says that as long as the oil level falls between the high and low marks on the dipstick, it's ok. I put 5 quarts in mine at changes and as long as the level is between the 2 marks (usually shows in the upper range) I feel comfortable.
I do check it regularly and it always seems to stay at the same level. I haven't experienced any oil-related problems in 42,000 miles.

 

[jimbo74]

also, it depends on how much you let it drain........ sometimes i let the oil drain until there is no more drip at all

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

5.0 liter taking 6 quarts isn't all that strange

my old F-150 with the 4.9 takes 6 quarts

my moms Mercury mystique with the 2.5 dohc engine takes 6 quarts

my dads 98 F-150 with the 4.6 liter takes 6.5 quarts of oil

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I wish my V8 took 7 quarts of oil! But 5.5 after a filter is usually what I put into my 97, so you're a-ok. Just check the dipstick, and let the oil settle into the pan to get an accurate reading.