---
title: Ford F-150 oil change: grade, interval, what we check
url: https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/ford/f-150/
business: Xpress Oil & Lube (Xpress Oil & Lube Center)
shops: Reno Northwest: 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523, (775) 787-1000, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Reno South: 4993 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502, (775) 828-6996, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Sun closed; Carson City: 1861 E College Pkwy, Carson City, NV 89706, (775) 883-5823, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Gardnerville: 1293 US Hwy 395 N, Gardnerville, NV 89410, (775) 301-5912, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sun closed
type: Drive-in oil change and vehicle maintenance, no appointment needed, since 1983
---

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# Ford F-150 Oil Change: EcoBoost, V8 and Everything Between

Ford's 2021 F-150 Owner's Manual lists SAE 5W-30 meeting WSS-M2C961-A1 for the 2.7 and 3.5 EcoBoost (6.0 quarts with the filter) and the 5.0 V8 (7.75 quarts), while the 3.3-liter V6 takes 5W-20. Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor sets the interval, up to one year or 10,000 miles, and Ford says never to exceed that.

★★★★★ 4.7 stars from 952 Google reviews

The F-150 comes with more engine choices than any other vehicle we see, and the oil is not the same across them. The fourteenth-generation truck that arrived for 2021 offered a 3.3-liter V6, the 2.7 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6s, the 5.0-liter V8, the 3.5 PowerBoost hybrid and, for a couple of years, a 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel. Ford's online owner's manual gives each one its own capacity and specification. Here is the list, plus what Ford says about towing and oil level that matters for anyone hauling over the Sierra.

## At a glance

- 2.7 and 3.5 EcoBoost, 3.5 PowerBoost hybrid: SAE 5W-30, 6.0 qt with the filter
- 5.0-liter V8: SAE 5W-30, 7.75 qt with the filter
- 3.3-liter V6: SAE 5W-20 (WSS-M2C960-A1), 6.0 qt with the filter
- 3.0 Power Stroke diesel: SAE 5W-30 to WSS-M2C214-B1, 6.5 qt with the filter
- Oil-life monitor up to one year or 10,000 miles; six months or 5,000 if the monitor resets

## Engine by engine, from Ford's 2021 F-150 manual

For extremely cold climates, where it reaches minus 22 F or below, Ford lists 0W-30 to the WSS-M2C963-A1 specification as an alternative for the gas engines. Northern Nevada does not get that cold often, so most trucks stay on the main grade. Ford's 2024 F-150 manual repeats 5W-30 and 7.75 quarts for the 5.0 V8.

| Engine | Oil | Ford spec | With filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 EcoBoost | SAE 5W-30 | WSS-M2C961-A1 | 6.0 qt |
| 3.5 EcoBoost | SAE 5W-30 | WSS-M2C961-A1 | 6.0 qt |
| 3.5 PowerBoost hybrid | SAE 5W-30 | WSS-M2C961-A1 | 6.0 qt |
| 5.0 V8 | SAE 5W-30 | WSS-M2C961-A1 | 7.75 qt |
| 3.3 V6 | SAE 5W-20 | WSS-M2C960-A1 | 6.0 qt |
| 3.0 diesel | SAE 5W-30 | WSS-M2C214-B1 | 6.5 qt |

## How the oil-life monitor sets the interval

Ford's manual describes the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor plainly. It shows a message when the oil is due, and that interval can be up to one year or 10,000 miles. When the message appears, Ford asks for the change within two weeks or 500 miles and a monitor reset afterward. If the display resets early or stops working, Ford says to change the oil at six months or 5,000 miles, and never to go past one year or 10,000 miles.

The monitor shortens the interval on its own for hard use. That is why a truck that tows a camper up the Mount Rose Highway every summer weekend often sees its message sooner than one that commutes on US-395.

## Towing, oil level and the quart-per-500-miles warning

The same Ford manual warns that extended high engine speeds, high loads, engine braking and off-road use can raise oil consumption to about one quart per 500 miles, and it tells owners to check the oil level at every refueling. Twin-turbo engines pulling a trailer through 90 F heat, and Reno averages about 65 such days a year on the NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals, are exactly that case.

We check the level on the dipstick before we drain, so you know whether the truck has been using oil between changes. That number is worth having before your next long tow.

## Our F-150 checklist

- Grade and Ford spec matched to your engine, new filter, monitor reset
- Coolant level and condition; Ford's 2024 manual lists the yellow WSS-M97B57-A2 antifreeze
- Front and rear axle and transfer case levels on 4x4 trucks
- Battery test, belts, lights, wipers, tire pressure, engine and cabin air filters
- Annual smog test at our Reno service centers for trucks registered in the Washoe testing area

### Sources

- [fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Index?variantid=8579&languag](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Index?variantid=8579&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=&ProcUid=&userMarket=usa&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) (Ford 2021 F-150 Owner's Manual: engine oil capacity and specification per engine, Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor up to one year or 10,000 miles, six months or 5,000 miles if the monitor resets, oil consumption up to one quart per 500 miles under high loads. Read 2026-10-15)
- [fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Index?variantid=9536&languag](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Index?variantid=9536&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=&ProcUid=&userMarket=usa&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) (Ford 2024 F-150 Owner's Manual: 5.0-liter SAE 5W-30 WSS-M2C961-A1 7.75 qt, coolant WSS-M97B57-A2. Read 2026-10-15)
- [ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) (NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: Reno-Tahoe airport 65 days at 90 F or hotter, 122 nights at or below 32 F, 7.35 inches of precipitation; Carson City 146 and Minden 188 freezing nights. Read 2026-10-15)
- [dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm) (Nevada DMV emissions page: Washoe and Clark testing areas, first three registrations exempt, hybrids exempt for the first five model years, diesels up to 14,000 lb GVWR tested, a passing test is valid 90 days. Read 2026-10-15)

### Your service center: Reno Northwest

- Call [(775) 787-1000](tel:+17757871000) Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed
- Address 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=6100+Mae+Anne+Ave%2C+Reno%2C+NV+89523&destination_place_id=ChIJ3dFA7yBEmYARYg1CtQTi_Bk)

### What a customer said

Gardnerville I have a 2018 Ford Raptor with a ADD off-road bumper. Unfortunately the bumper manufacturers didn’t design the bumper for it routine oil changes. So the shop I went to, went out of their way and figured out a way to do the oil change. Couldn’t be more happy with their dedication and service. They have my business for all my vehicles now.

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## Questions people ask

Still have a question? Call your service center or drive in; there is no appointment to make.

### What oil does a 3.5 EcoBoost F-150 take?

SAE 5W-30 meeting Ford WSS-M2C961-A1, 6.0 quarts with the filter, per Ford's 2021 F-150 Owner's Manual.

### How long can an F-150 go between oil changes?

Until the oil-life monitor asks, up to one year or 10,000 miles, per Ford. Towing usually brings the message sooner.

### Is the 3.3 V6 different?

Yes. Ford lists SAE 5W-20 to WSS-M2C960-A1 for the 3.3-liter, 6.0 quarts with the filter.

### Does my F-150 need a smog check?

A gas F-150 registered in the Washoe testing area is tested at each annual renewal after its first three registrations, per the Nevada DMV. Carson City and Douglas County registrations are not tested.