1986 Mercury Cougar Oil Type & Capacity
The 1986 Mercury Cougar takes 5W-30 motor oil — 5.0 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-30 — 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS, 3.8 3, AOD | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| GS, 3.8 3, C5 | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| GS, 5.0 F | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 3.8 3, AOD | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 3.8 3, C5 | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 5.0 F | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| XR7, Automatic | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| XR7, Standard | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Cougar
1986 Mercury Cougar factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
11.8 quarts (11.16 L) — 50/50 mixture of FORD Premium Cooling System Fluid and water. Specification: ESE M97B44 A.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1986 Mercury Cougar take?
The 1986 Mercury Cougar takes 5W-30 motor oil (SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
How much oil does a 1986 Mercury Cougar take?
The 1986 Mercury Cougar holds 5.0 quarts with a filter change.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1986 Mercury Cougar?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1986 Mercury Cougar. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.