If you want your 2011 Ford F-150 to perform its best mile after mile, it’s important to take proper care of it. As a part of that process, you need to select the right oil type and fill it to its ideal capacity, not a drop more.
What’s the 2011 Ford F-150’s oil type and capacity?
With either of the V6 engine options installed, this truck uses six quarts of 5W-30 oil. If it has the 5.0L (302 ci) or 6.2L (379 ci) V8, it’ll need at least seven quarts of 5W-20.
To best understand the oil type and capacity across all the engine options, simply use this guide to learn what you need to know. We’ll cover the details for each engine installed in the 2011 Ford F-150.
Importance of Using the Right Oil Weight and Amount
Motor oil flows through the oil galleries to lubricate and cool all the moving parts in your engine. This helps to slow down wear and keep the engine internals in great condition through the miles.
Engineers match each engine design to the best oil weight to balance its lubrication and heat dissipation properties. If you stray from their recommendations, it’s possible that the oil will fail to protect the internals from damage. This could result in catastrophic failure of the engine, leaving you having to pay for its replacement.
Paying close attention to oil capacity is also important for the same reason. If your engine doesn’t have enough oil, all the internal parts won’t get adequately covered in this important lubricant.
Recommended Oil Weight for the 2011 F-150
The 2011 Ford F-150 comes with several engine options. Each type has different oil weight recommendations to best suit its design. Across all weights, it is important to only use oil that’s certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
V8
Both the 5.0L V8 and 6.2L V8 engines both use SAE 5W-20 year-round as their oil of choice. Ford recommends using the Motorcraft brand, though you can get away with an equivalent that’s API-certified.
V6
The 3.5L (213 ci) EcoBoost and 3.7L (230 ci) V6 engines use SAE 5W-30 weight motor oil instead. Like with the V8s, Ford would like you to stick with the Motorcraft brand, though it’s not required.
Beyond their brand recommendations, Ford insists that you do not use any engine oil cleaners, additives, and the like. Doing so could void your warranty and result in severe engine damage.
Oil Capacity Across all 2011 F-150 Engines
The oil capacities vary as well, depending on the type of engine your 2011 F-150 has installed. As with the oil type, Ford lists all their fluid capacities in the owner’s manual.
3.5L EcoBoost and 3.7L V6
Both the 3.5L EcoBoost and 3.7L V6 engine need six quarts of oil to adequately cool and lubricate the internals.
5.0L V8
The 5.0L V8 uses a whopping 7.7 quarts of oil, which is the most out of all the F-150 engine options for this model year.
6.2L V8
The 6.2L V8 needs seven quarts of oil to run right or the engine internals could end up damaged.
Although you should use the dipstick to confirm your engine is filled up properly, knowing its capacity offhand will help you buy the right amount for each oil change.
Buying a 2011 Ford F-150? Get a Vehicle History Check
Are you planning on buying a 2011 Ford F-150? If so, get ready to go on plenty of test drive and inspect each truck from nose to tail. Also, make sure to get a Vehicle History check that will reveal hidden problems you couldn’t have otherwise known about.
You can then skip the trucks with branded titles and accidents in their history to get the most for your money.
