1986 Ford Taurus Oil Type & Capacity
The 1986 Ford Taurus oil type depends on the engine: the GL, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 4D Sedan takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 4D Wagon takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the MT5, 4D Sedan takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the MT5, 4D Wagon takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- GL, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Sedan: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Wagon: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- MT5, 4D Sedan: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- MT5, 4D Wagon: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U — 3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U — 3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U — 3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U — 3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 4D Sedan — 3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 4D Wagon — 3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| MT5, 4D Sedan — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| MT5, 4D Wagon — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Taurus
🛞 1986 Ford Taurus Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1986 Ford Taurus Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1986 Ford Taurus Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1986 Ford Taurus Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
8.3 quarts (7.85 L) — 50/50 mixture of FORD Premium Cooling System Fluid and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1986 Ford Taurus take?
It depends on the engine: GL, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D uses 5W-30; L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; L, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D uses 5W-30; L, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Sedan uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Wagon uses 5W-30; MT5, 4D Sedan uses 5W-30; MT5, 4D Wagon uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1986 Ford Taurus?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: GL, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D holds 5.0 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D holds 5.0 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D holds 5.0 quarts with filter; L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; L, 4D Wagon, 2.5 D holds 5.0 quarts with filter; L, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Sedan holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Wagon holds 4.5 quarts with filter; MT5, 4D Sedan holds 5.0 quarts with filter; MT5, 4D Wagon holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1986 Ford Taurus?
Most 1986 Ford Taurus owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Ford recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1986 Ford Taurus?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1986 Ford Taurus. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.