Why such a large oil capacity in new Ford Fusion?

[callbay]

5.3 quart capacity with filter in my 2011 2.5L 4 cyl Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great but we just sold a 2007 Tahoe that had a 5.3L V8 with a 6 quart capacity. Not to start with the thick vs thin battle but could the large capacity of the Ford 4 cly be because it calls for 5-20 oil? The Tahoe called for 5-30.

Back in 1977 Cadilac Eldorados had a 500CID V8 with a 5 quart capacity. Most V8's I remember had a five quart capacity except a few Pontiacs in the early 70's with 6 or 7 quart capacities.

 

[PontiacFan]

Originally Posted By: callbay
5.3 quart capacity with filter in my 2011 2.5L 4 cyl Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great but we just sold a 2007 Tahoe that had a 5.3L V8 with a 6 quart capacity. Not to start with the thick vs thin battle but could the large capacity of the Ford 4 cly be because it calls for 5-20 oil? The Tahoe called for 5-30.

Back in 1977 Cadilac Eldorados had a 500CID V8 with a 5 quart capacity. Most V8's I remember had a five quart capacity except a few Pontiacs in the early 70's with 6 or 7 quart capacities.


Less chance of SLUDGE. JMO

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: callbay
5.3 quart capacity with filter in my 2011 2.5L 4 cyl Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great but we just sold a 2007 Tahoe that had a 5.3L V8 with a 6 quart capacity. Not to start with the thick vs thin battle but could the large capacity of the Ford 4 cly be because it calls for 5-20 oil? The Tahoe called for 5-30.

Back in 1977 Cadilac Eldorados had a 500CID V8 with a 5 quart capacity. Most V8's I remember had a five quart capacity except a few Pontiacs in the early 70's with 6 or 7 quart capacities.


Not sure why - but the 2005 Trailblazer I had with a straight 6 - 4.2 engine took 7 (seven) quarts of oil.

 

[kcfx4]

i say the more the merrier

 

[1 SX]

I put in around 4.5 qts in the 1.9l dohc sl2. That was with the fl400s tho. Maybe the ford 4 cyl is real hard on oil so it needs the extra oil, or maybe they use the same oil pans on many different engines for cost cutting, so it's a little larger then need be? Just some more shots in the wide open land.

 

[SuperDave456]

My money would be because Ford is trying to go "green" by pushing extended oil change intervals. The larger capacity helps with that.

I too say greater capacity is a big plus.
Shoot, my 2004 Nissan Xterra has a 3.3 Quart capacity or something like it. I think the newer ones hold 6 quarts.

 

[PontiacFan]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
My money would be because Ford is trying to go "green" by pushing extended oil change intervals. The larger capacity helps with that.

I too say greater capacity is a big plus.
Shoot, my 2004 Nissan Xterra has a 3.3 Quart capacity or something like it. I think the newer ones hold 6 quarts.


+1

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: callbay
5.3 quart capacity with filter in my 2011 2.5L 4 cyl Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great but we just sold a 2007 Tahoe that had a 5.3L V8 with a 6 quart capacity. Not to start with the thick vs thin battle but could the large capacity of the Ford 4 cly be because it calls for 5-20 oil? The Tahoe called for 5-30.

Back in 1977 Cadilac Eldorados had a 500CID V8 with a 5 quart capacity. Most V8's I remember had a five quart capacity except a few Pontiacs in the early 70's with 6 or 7 quart capacities.

My 95 bMw 525i with 2.5 liters has 6 quart capacity. I thought it was a good thing to have larger oil capacity for cooling and possible longer intervals between changes.

 

[NateDN10]

They're probably doing it to support extended OCIs.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: callbay
5.3 quart capacity with filter in my 2011 2.5L 4 cyl Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great but we just sold a 2007 Tahoe that had a 5.3L V8 with a 6 quart capacity. Not to start with the thick vs thin battle but could the large capacity of the Ford 4 cly be because it calls for 5-20 oil? The Tahoe called for 5-30.

Back in 1977 Cadilac Eldorados had a 500CID V8 with a 5 quart capacity. Most V8's I remember had a five quart capacity except a few Pontiacs in the early 70's with 6 or 7 quart capacities.


My opinion: manufacturers no longer expect the average owner to EVER check his/her own oil anymore. That wasn't the case in 1975. From a purely thermal and functional perspective, a 4-quart total capacity is plenty of oil for most any engine, but that DEMANDS that the operator keep the sump full. A 6-quart capacity on a 2-liter engine is a hedge against the idiocy of the average driver.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: PontiacFan
Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
My money would be because Ford is trying to go "green" by pushing extended oil change intervals. The larger capacity helps with that.

I too say greater capacity is a big plus.
Shoot, my 2004 Nissan Xterra has a 3.3 Quart capacity or something like it. I think the newer ones hold 6 quarts.


+1

+1

 

[Johnny]

Since big brother want to get involved in our business, they should mandate that every car sold in this country have a minimum 6 qt capacity sump, all cars have a 1-quart filter within easy reach.

 

[dubie2003]

I would suspect that it is to support their exteneded drain interval. A side reason may be that most owners never check their oil level so it gives them a bit of a buffer.

 

[PhillyJoe]

My daughter's 2.2l ecotec in her Grand Am calls for 5.8 qts and my 3.8l Grand Prix only takes 4 1/2.

I could never figure out how they came up with 5.8. How is the average person supposed to measure .8 quarts. Wouldn't 3/4 have been OK?

 

[dparm]

Longer change interval. Lots of German cars go this route to get 10k and 15k OCIs.

My Audi S4 is 10L.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: callbay
5.3 quart capacity with filter in my 2011 2.5L 4 cyl Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great but we just sold a 2007 Tahoe that had a 5.3L V8 with a 6 quart capacity. Not to start with the thick vs thin battle but could the large capacity of the Ford 4 cly be because it calls for 5-20 oil? The Tahoe called for 5-30.


My 1983 LTD with the 2.3L I-4 had a five litre sump. That was before manufacturers began extending OCIs as they do now, of course.

 

[mechtech2]

5.3 < 6

 

[Smokescreen]

My suburban 5.7L has a 4.7L sump....the Corolla 1.8L has a 4.4L sump...

 

[Spazdog]

The old F engine Toyota Land Cruiser had over an 8 quart capacity. I think those originated in the '50s

 

[mailman74]

I wish all autos would take 4, 5, or 6 qts why all the .3 etc ?