1990 Ford Taurus Oil Type & Capacity
The 1990 Ford Taurus oil type depends on the engine: the GL, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4 takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the GL, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Wagon takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the LX, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the LX, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4 takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the LX, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the LX, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the SHO takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts 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 Sedan, 3.8 4: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4: 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: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SHO: 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 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U — GL,L,LX,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U — GL,L,LX,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U — GL,L,LX,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon — GL,L,LX,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U — GL,L,LX,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U — GL,L,LX,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | — | — |
| SHO — SHO,3.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 0Deg.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 Taurus
1990 Ford Taurus factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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 1990 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 Sedan, 3.8 4 uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 uses 5W-30; L, 4D Sedan, 2.5 D uses 5W-30; L, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; L, 4D Wagon uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4 uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 uses 5W-30; SHO uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1990 Ford Taurus take?
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 Sedan, 3.8 4 holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 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 holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Sedan, 3.8 4 holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Wagon, 3.0 U holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Wagon, 3.8 4 holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SHO holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1990 Ford Taurus?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1990 Ford Taurus. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.