1996 Ford Contour Oil Type & Capacity
The 1996 Ford Contour oil type depends on the engine: the GL, 2.0 3, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 3, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 Z takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.5 L, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.5 L, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 2.0 3, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 2.0 3, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 2.5 L, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 2.5 L, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the SE, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the SE, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 2.0 3, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 2.0 3, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 2.0 Z, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 2.0 Z, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 2.5 L, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 2.5 L, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- GL, 2.0 3, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 3, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 Z: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.5 L, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.5 L, Standard: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 2.0 3, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 2.0 3, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 2.5 L, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 2.5 L, Standard: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- SE, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- SE, Standard: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- Sport, 2.0 3, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- Sport, 2.0 3, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- Sport, 2.0 Z, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- Sport, 2.0 Z, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- Sport, 2.5 L, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- Sport, 2.5 L, Standard: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL, 2.0 3, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| GL, 2.0 3, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| GL, 2.0 Z — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| GL, 2.5 L, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| GL, 2.5 L, Standard — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| LX, 2.0 3, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| LX, 2.0 3, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| LX, 2.5 L, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| LX, 2.5 L, Standard — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| SE, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| SE, Standard — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| Sport, 2.0 3, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| Sport, 2.0 3, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| Sport, 2.0 Z, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| Sport, 2.0 Z, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 4.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| Sport, 2.5 L, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| Sport, 2.5 L, Standard — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | — | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Contour
🛞 1996 Ford Contour Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1996 Ford Contour Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1996 Ford Contour Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1996 Ford Contour Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
7.5 quarts (7.09 L) — 50/50 mixture of FORD Premium Cooling System Fluid and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1996 Ford Contour take?
It depends on the engine: GL, 2.0 3, Automatic uses 5W-20; GL, 2.0 3, Standard uses 5W-20; GL, 2.0 Z uses 5W-20; GL, 2.5 L, Automatic uses 5W-20; GL, 2.5 L, Standard uses 5W-20; LX, 2.0 3, Automatic uses 5W-20; LX, 2.0 3, Standard uses 5W-20; LX, 2.5 L, Automatic uses 5W-20; LX, 2.5 L, Standard uses 5W-20; SE, Automatic uses 5W-20; SE, Standard uses 5W-20; Sport, 2.0 3, Automatic uses 5W-20; Sport, 2.0 3, Standard uses 5W-20; Sport, 2.0 Z, Automatic uses 5W-20; Sport, 2.0 Z, Standard uses 5W-20; Sport, 2.5 L, Automatic uses 5W-20; Sport, 2.5 L, Standard uses 5W-20.
What is the oil capacity of a 1996 Ford Contour?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: GL, 2.0 3, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 3, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 Z holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GL, 2.5 L, Automatic holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 2.5 L, Standard holds 5.5 quarts with filter; LX, 2.0 3, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 2.0 3, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; LX, 2.5 L, Automatic holds 5.5 quarts with filter; LX, 2.5 L, Standard holds 5.5 quarts with filter; SE, Automatic holds 5.5 quarts with filter; SE, Standard holds 5.5 quarts with filter; Sport, 2.0 3, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; Sport, 2.0 3, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; Sport, 2.0 Z, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; Sport, 2.0 Z, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; Sport, 2.5 L, Automatic holds 5.5 quarts with filter; Sport, 2.5 L, Standard holds 5.5 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1996 Ford Contour?
Most 1996 Ford Contour 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 1996 Ford Contour?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1996 Ford Contour. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.