2021 Ford F-150 Oil Capacity & Filter Specs (All Engines)

The 2021 Ford F-150 takes between 6.0 and 7.75 quarts of oil depending on the engine equipped, with the most popular 3.5L EcoBoost V6 requiring exactly 6.0 quarts (5.7 liters) of 5W-30 synthetic blend or full synthetic oil. As an ASE-certified master technician, I always recommend verifying your specific engine under the hood before beginning an oil change, as Ford offered six different powertrains for the 2021 model year, including the new PowerBoost Hybrid.

Quick answer: 2021 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost

For the highly popular 3.5L EcoBoost (and PowerBoost Hybrid), here are the essential specifications for your next oil change:

• Oil Capacity: 6.0 quarts (5.7 L) with filter
• Recommended Weight: 5W-30
• Oil Specification: Ford WSS-M2C961-A1, API SP / ILSAC GF-6A
• OEM Oil Filter: Motorcraft FL-500S
• Aftermarket Oil Filters: Fram TG10575 / XG10575, WIX 57502, Mobil 1 M1-212A

Capacity by engine option

The 2021 Ford F-150 has a diverse powertrain lineup. Reference the chart below to find the correct oil capacity and viscosity for your specific engine.

Note: The 5.0L V8 transitioned to 5W-30 in 2021 and takes a hefty 7.75 quarts—do not underfill!

Oil change interval

Ford equips the 2021 F-150 with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) that calculates oil life based on your driving habits. However, as a master technician, I recommend the following mileage-based guidelines:

• Normal Duty: Up to 7,500 – 10,000 miles (or 1 year). This applies if you drive mostly on highways unloaded in moderate climates.
• Severe Duty: 5,000 miles (or 6 months). Follow this interval if you frequently tow heavy trailers, haul maximum payloads, idle extensively (especially relevant for fleet trucks and PowerBoosts), drive in dusty conditions, or make short trips in freezing temperatures.

For turbocharged (EcoBoost) engines, sticking to the 5,000-mile severe duty schedule is excellent cheap insurance to protect the turbo bearings from oil coking.

Drain plug torque

Ford uses different oil pans and drain plugs depending on the engine.

• Composite (Plastic) Oil Pans (2.7L & some 3.5L/5.0L): These use a yellow plastic quarter-turn drain plug. Do not use a wrench to tighten these. Push in and turn by hand until the tabs lock. Replace the plug (Ford part #FT4Z-6730-A) if the O-ring is flattened, torn, or leaking.
• Aluminum/Steel Oil Pans (3.3L & some 3.5L/5.0L): These use a traditional metal drain plug. Torque to 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm). Always inspect and replace the rubber O-ring or copper crush washer on the plug if worn.

How to change the oil

1. Prepare the vehicle: Park on a level surface, apply the parking brake, and raise the front end safely using ramps or jack stands.
2. Access the drain plug: Remove the felt aerodynamic underbody shield if equipped (usually requires a socket or torx bit for the fasteners).
3. Drain the oil: Position your drain pan. If you have the plastic quarter-turn plug, remove it carefully by hand—the oil will shoot out quickly! Allow it to drain completely.
4. Replace the filter: Locate the oil filter. For most engines, this is a spin-on filter near the front of the block. For the 2.7L EcoBoost, open the hood and locate the top-mounted cartridge filter housing. Replace the filter and any included O-rings. Lubricate the rubber gasket on spin-on filters with fresh oil. Hand-tighten spin-on filters; torque the 2.7L plastic cap to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm).
5. Reinstall drain plug: Secure the drain plug. Wipe the area clean of residual oil.
6. Refill and check: Fill the engine with the correct amount of oil. Start the engine, let it run for 30 seconds to fill the filter, shut it off, and wait 5 minutes. Check the dipstick to ensure the level is in the crosshatched safe zone.
7. Reset the IOLM: Use the steering wheel controls to navigate to Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life, and hold "OK" to reset to 100%.

Common issues / tips

• The Messy Filter Drain: On the 3.5L and 5.0L engines, the spin-on filter sits above a small plastic drip tray meant to channel oil forward or backward. It often makes a huge mess. Tip: Form a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil into a funnel under the filter before unscrewing it to direct the oil straight into your pan.
• 2.7L EcoBoost Drainage: When changing the oil on the 2.7L EcoBoost, always remove the cartridge filter housing cap first before draining the oil pan. This allows the oil held in the filter housing to drain down into the pan. Also, allow this engine to drain for at least 15-20 minutes, as it takes time for oil to travel down through the complex head design.
• PowerBoost Oil Life: The 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid shuts the gas engine off frequently. The IOLM tracks actual engine run time and load, not just vehicle miles. Don't be surprised if your oil life monitor allows for higher mileage intervals, but I still recommend sticking to 5,000–7,500 miles to prevent fuel dilution.

Need an oil change? Find a trusted shop on Repairius.