Ford Ranger Fluids & Capacities

Introduction

Need to know what type of fluid your Ford Ranger needs? This page provides a chart show what fluids are needed and how much.

Ford Ranger Fluids and Capacities Chart

Engine	Year	Fluid	Capacity
4.0L SOHC	2011-2001	Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (US)	5-quarts with filter
4.0L OHV	2000-1990	Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (US)	5-quarts with filter
3.0L	2008-1991	Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil	4.5-quarts with filter
2.9L	1992-1986	Motorcraft Motor Oil 5W-30 Super Premium	5-quarts with filter
2.8L	1983-1985	Motorcraft Motor Oil 5W-30 Super Premium	5-quarts with filter
2.5L	2001-1998	Motorcraft Super Premium SAE 5W20 Motor Oil	4.5-quarts with filter
2.3L DOHC	2002-2011	Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil	4-quarts with filter
2.3L OHV	1997-1985	Motorcraft Super Premium SAE 5W20 Motor Oil	5-quarts with filter
2.3L EcoBoost	2019-2023	Motorcraft Super Premium SAE 5W30 Motor Oil	6.2-quarts with filter
Transmission	Year	Fluid	Capacity
10R80 10-Speed Auto	2019-2023	MERCON ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid	12.8 quarts
5R55E 2WD 4.0L	2011-1997	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	10.0 quarts
5R55E 4×4 4.0L	2011-1997	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	10.3 quarts
5R44E 2WD	2011-1998	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	9.9 quarts
5R44E 4×4 3.0L	2008-1998	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	10.3 quarts
4R55E	2001-1995	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid
4R44E	2001-1995	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	9.9 quarts
Manual	2011-2008	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	– –
Manual	2007-2002	MERCON Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission
Clutch	2011-2002	High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid	– –
A4LD	1994-1991	MERCON Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission	3.0 quarts (drain and refill) / 6.0 quarts with torque converter drain. Add more fluid as needed, 1/2 pint at a time.
A4LD	1990-1985	Dexron II Automatic Transmission Fluid	3.0 quarts (drain and refill) / 6.0 quarts with torque converterdrain. Add more fluid as needed, 1/2 pint at a time.
C5	1984-1983	Type H – Can be replaced with Mercon or Mercon V	3.0 quarts (drain and refill) / 6.0 quarts with torque converterdrain. Add more fluid as needed, 1/2 pint at a time.
Notes:	If not sure: 1991-1996 Ford Ranger use Mercon Automatic Transmission Fluid 1997-2011 Ford Ranger use Mercon V Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer Case	Year	Fluid	Capacity
All	2019-2023	Mercon LV Automatic Transmission Fluid	1.2 Liters
All	2011-2008	Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid XL-12	2.5 pints
All	2007-1992	MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX	2.5 Pints
All	1991	MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX
All	1990-1983	DEXRON II automatic transmission
Front Axle	Year	Fluid	Capacity
Dana M190	2019-2023	Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant	1.64-pints (0.775 Liters)
Dana 35 SLA	2001-1998	Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant	Front axle L (pint) 1.54 (3.25) / Lubricant level mm (in) 9.56 (0.38) below bottom of axle cover filler hole
Dana 35 TTB	1990-1997	Hypoid Gear Lubricant SAE 80W or 90W	3-quarts / On models with the front locking differential add 2oz of friction modifier
Dana 28 TTB	1997-1983	Hypoid Gear Lubicant SAE 80W or 90W	2-quarts / On models with the front locking differential, add 2oz of friction modifier
Rear Axle	Year	Fluid	Capacity
Dana M220 Non-Locking	2019-2023	Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant	3.70-pints (1.75-Liters)
Dana M220 With Locker	2019-2023	Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant	3.04 Pints (1.44-Liters) with electric locker
Ford 8.8 Inch	2011-2009	Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant	5-pints (4-ounces Additive Friction Modifier XL-3)
Ford 8.8-Inch High Torque	2011-2009	Motorcraft SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant	5-pints (4-ounces Additive Friction Modifier XL-3)
Ford 7.5 Inch	2011-2009	Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant	5-pints (4-ounces Additive Friction Modifier XL-3)
Steering	Year	Fluid	Capacity
All	2011-2008	MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid	2.1 pints
All	2007-1996	MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX	2.1 pints
All	1983-1995	TYPE F Automatic Transmission Fluid	2.1 pints
Coolant	Year	Fluid	Capacity
See Capacity Column	2019-2023	Motorcraft Orange Engine Coolant	2.3L EcoBoost – 11.6 quarts 4.0L SOHC Manual Transmission – 13.5 quarts 4.0L SOHC Automatic Transmission – 13.2 quarts
See Capacity Column	2011-2009	Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant	2.3L Automatic Transmission – 10.9 quarts 4.0L SOHC Manual Transmission – 13.5 quarts 4.0L SOHC Automatic Transmission – 13.2 quarts
See Capacity Column	2008-2002	Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant (yellow)	2.3L Manual Transmission – 11.2 quarts 2.3L Automatic Transmission – 10.9 quarts 3.0L Manual Transmission – 15.2 quarts 3.0L Automatic Transmission – 14.9 quarts 4.0L SOHC Manual Transmission – 13.5 quarts 4.0L SOHC Automatic Transmission – 13.2 quarts
See Capacity Column	2001-1983	Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green)	2.5L manual transmission – 10.5 quarts 2.5L automatic transmission – 10.2 quarts 3.0L manual transmission – 15.2 quarts 3.0L automatic transmission – 14.8 quarts 4.0L manual transmission – 13.5 quarts 4.0L automatic transmission – 13.2 quarts

Oil Filter Specifications

Engine Family	Engine Displacement	Production Years	Motorcraft Filter
EcoBoost	2.3L	2019-2023	FL-2127
Four-Cylinder	2.0L, 2.3L OHC, 2.2L Diesel	1983–1997	FL-1A
	2.5L OHC	1998–2001	FL-400S
	2.3L Duratec DOHC	2001–2011	FL-910S
Six-Cylinder	2.8L, 2.9L, 4.0L OHV	1983–2000	FL-1A
	3.0L Vulcan	1991–2008	FL-400S
	4.0L SOHC	2001–2011	FL-820S

More Oil Filter Details

From 1983 to 2011, Ford Ranger engines primarily relied on four iconic Motorcraft factory oil filters: FL-1A, FL-400S, FL-820S, and FL-910S.

The list below details which oil filter matches every major engine option offered during the classic Ranger’s 29-year production run, cross-referenced with equivalent part numbers from WIX and FRAM.

EcoBoost

2.3L 4-Cylinder

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-2127
• WIX / Fram Equivalent: 51348 / PH3614

4-Cylinder Engines

2.0L & 2.3L OHC “Lima” I4 (1983–1997)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-1A
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51515 / PH8A

2.5L OHC “Lima” I4 (1998–2001)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-400S
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51516 / PH3600

2.3L DOHC “Duratec” I4 (2001–2011)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-910S Note: Early 2001–2003 models initially used a cartridge or the FL-2005 before Ford consolidated them into this spin-on filter.
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 521348 / PH10060 (or PH3614 depending on the exact year)

V6 Engines

2.8L & 2.9L Cologne V6 (1983–1992)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-1A
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51515 / PH8A

3.0L “Vulcan” V6 (1991–2008)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-400S
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51516 / PH3600

4.0L OHV Cologne V6 (1990–2000)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-1A
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51515 / PH8A

4.0L SOHC Cologne V6 (2001–2011)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-820S
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51372 / PH2

Rare & Diesel Engines

2.2L Perkins Diesel I4 (1983–1984)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-1A
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51515 / PH8A

2.3L Mitsubishi Turbo Diesel I4 (1985–1987)

• Motorcraft Filter: FL-333 (Discontinued; typically replaced by aftermarket equivalents).
• WIX / FRAM Equivalent: 51307 / PH6355

Motorcraft FL-400S vs Motorcraft FL1A

The 4.0L OHV engine can use the Motorcraft FL-400S, and it often became the necessary filter for later model years due to clearance issues.

While early 1990–1996 Rangers with the 4.0L OHV easily fit the massive, wide-bodied FL-1A, Ford introduced a 90-degree oil filter adapter on the engine block during the late 1990s production run.

The Fitment Overlap

The Problem: The factory-spec Motorcraft FL-1A is a wide “fat” filter (roughly 3.8 inches in diameter). On later 4.0L OHV models, this wide body would hit the front driveshaft, exhaust manifold, or steering components.

The Dealership Fix: Ford dealerships and service centers actively substituted the FL-400S for these tight spaces. The FL-400S shares the exact same thread pitch (3/4″-16) and gasket diameter as the FL-1A, but features a narrower, thinner body that easily clears the surrounding hardware.

Can you use them interchangeably?

Motorcraft FL400S Oil Filter: Yes. If you have an older 4.0L OHV that calls for an FL-1A, you can safely spin on an FL-400S. You just lose a tiny fraction of oil capacity due to the smaller canister size.

Motorcraft FL-1A: Only if you physically have the clearance. Do not force an FL-1A on if it rubs against any nearby metal components, as engine vibration will puncture the filter casing.

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Last updated: May 21, 2026