1987 Ford Taurus Oil Type & Capacity: 5W-30 (4.5 quarts)
The 1987 Ford Taurus takes 5W-30 motor oil — 4.5 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-30 — 4.5 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) | 4.50 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) | 4.50 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) | 4.50 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) | 4.50 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) | 4.50 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) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Taurus
🛞 1987 Ford Taurus Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1987 Ford Taurus Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1987 Ford Taurus Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1987 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. Specification: ESE M97B44 A.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1987 Ford Taurus take?
The 1987 Ford Taurus takes 5W-30 motor oil (SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 and 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
What is the oil capacity of a 1987 Ford Taurus?
The 1987 Ford Taurus oil capacity is 4.5 quarts with a filter change.
How often should I change the oil in my 1987 Ford Taurus?
Most 1987 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 1987 Ford Taurus?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1987 Ford Taurus. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.