How many quarts of oil does a Ford f550 7.3 diesel take?
There is no 7.3-liter diesel option in the Ford F-550; the 7.3 is the gasoline Godzilla V8 and it uses about 6 quarts of engine oil with a filter. If your F-550 is equipped with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel, that engine holds roughly 15 quarts. This article breaks down the oil capacities by engine and how to verify and maintain proper oil levels.
Engine options on the Ford F-550
The F-550 can be configured with either a gasoline 7.3L Godzilla engine or a diesel 6.7L Power Stroke. The oil capacity differs between these two powertrains, so use the figure that matches your exact engine.
Gasoline option: 7.3L Godzilla
Oil capacity for this engine (with filter):
- 6 quarts (about 5.7 L) of engine oil with an oil filter during a typical change. Always confirm the exact capacity for your model year from the owner's manual or a Ford service bulletin.
Concluding note: Use the recommended viscosity listed in your owner’s manual (commonly 5W-20 or 5W-30, depending on climate) and replace the oil filter with each oil change.
Diesel option: 6.7L Power Stroke
Oil capacity for this engine (with filter):
- Approximately 15 quarts (about 14.2 L) with a filter. Some sources quote 15 quarts including the filter; verify the exact figure for your year and configuration.
Concluding note: Diesel engines in the F-550 require the correct oil grade and adherence to Ford’s maintenance schedule, including timely oil and filter changes and proper DEF practices where applicable.
How to check and maintain oil levels
Proper oil level checks and routine changes protect engine life and performance. Follow these steps to ensure accuracy and safety.
- Park on level ground and turn off the engine; allow a few minutes for oil to settle.
- Open the hood and pull the dipstick out; wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel.
- Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it again to read the oil level against the marked indicators.
- If the level is low, add the recommended oil in small increments, rechecking after each addition.
- Use the viscosity and grade specified in your owner’s manual and replace the oil filter during changes.
- Dispose of used oil at an appropriate recycling facility and keep a record of changes for maintenance planning.
Regularly checking and maintaining the correct oil level helps maximize engine life and performance. Adhere to the recommended change intervals for your engine variant.
Summary
The Ford F-550’s oil capacity depends on the engine: the gasoline 7.3L Godzilla requires about 6 quarts of oil with a filter, while the diesel 6.7L Power Stroke holds roughly 15 quarts. There is no 7.3-liter diesel option in the F-550. Always verify the exact capacity for your year and configuration in the owner’s manual, use the correct oil viscosity, and replace the filter with each oil change. Keeping up with oil maintenance helps ensure reliability in demanding heavy-duty use.
How much oil does a Ford f550 diesel take?
13 quarts
Capacity: 13 quarts (with filter).
How much oil does a 2001 f550 7.3 take?
15 quarts
Capacity: 15 quarts (with filter).
How many quarts of oil does a 7.3 l diesel take?
The oil capacity for a 7.3L diesel engine is 15 quarts (approx. 14.2 liters) when including the oil filter. It is crucial to allow for venting while refilling and to check the dipstick to ensure the correct level after filling.
- Engine oil capacity: 15 quarts (approx. 14.2 liters).
- What to do after filling: Remove the dipstick to help the oil flow into the crankcase, then check the level once refilling is complete.
- Note: The dipstick has two quarts of range between the low and full marks.
What oil does a 7.3 powerstroke take?
The 7.3L Powerstroke requires 15 quarts of diesel engine oil and can use either 15W-40 or 5W-40 viscosity, with 15W-40 being the traditional recommendation and 5W-40 offering better cold-start performance. A conventional or synthetic blend is acceptable for normal conditions, while synthetic is recommended for harsh climates or if you drive infrequently.
Oil viscosity
- 15W-40: The standard and long-time recommended viscosity for most conditions.
- 5W-40: Recommended for better cold-weather starting, especially in colder climates. Synthetic versions are a popular choice for this.
- 10W-30: Ford has a specific approval for this in certain applications, so check the engine's manual if using this weight.
Other considerations
- Capacity: The engine holds 15 quarts of oil with a filter change.
- Oil type: It must be diesel engine oil, not conventional gasoline engine oil, to handle the high-pressure demands of a diesel engine.
- Synthetic vs. Conventional:
- Conventional: Fine for normal driving and hot climates.
- Synthetic: Beneficial if you experience frequent short trips, live in a very cold climate, or want to extend the interval between changes.
- Oil change interval:
- Normal conditions: every 5,000 miles.
- Heavy-duty or towing: every 3,000 miles.
