1996 Ford Taurus Oil Type & Capacity
The 1996 Ford Taurus oil type depends on the engine: the G, AX4N takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the G, AX4S takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4N takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4S takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4N takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4S takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4N takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4S takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Wagon, AX4N takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 4D Wagon, AX4S takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 4D Sedan takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 4D Wagon takes 5W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the SHO takes 5W-30 (6.5 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- G, AX4N: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- G, AX4S: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4N: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4S: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4N: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4S: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4N: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4S: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Wagon, AX4N: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- GL, 4D Wagon, AX4S: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Sedan: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- LX, 4D Wagon: 5W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- SHO: 5W-30, 6.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G, AX4N — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| G, AX4S — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4N — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4S — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4N — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4S — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4N — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4S — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Wagon, AX4N — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, 4D Wagon, AX4S — 3.0L Eng,2 VPC | SAE 5W-30 | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LX, 4D Sedan — 3.0L Eng,4 VPC | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| LX, 4D Wagon — 3.0L Eng,4 VPC | SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | Refer to Engine Oil recommended applications for SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oils TSB No. 02-1-9. |
| SHO — 3.4L Eng | SAE 5W-30 | 6.50 QTS. | — | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 1996 Ford Taurus
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Taurus
🛞 1996 Ford Taurus Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1996 Ford Taurus Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1996 Ford Taurus Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1996 Ford Taurus Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
10.6 quarts (10.03 L) — 50/50 mixture of FORD Premium Cooling System Fluid and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1996 Ford Taurus take?
It depends on the engine: G, AX4N uses 5W-30; G, AX4S uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4N uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4S uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4N uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4S uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4N uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4S uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Wagon, AX4N uses 5W-30; GL, 4D Wagon, AX4S uses 5W-30; LX, 4D Sedan uses 5W-20; LX, 4D Wagon uses 5W-20; SHO uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1996 Ford Taurus?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: G, AX4N holds 5.5 quarts with filter; G, AX4S holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4N holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 1, AX4S holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4N holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 2, AX4S holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4N holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Sedan, 3.0 U, AX4S holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Wagon, AX4N holds 5.5 quarts with filter; GL, 4D Wagon, AX4S holds 5.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Sedan holds 5.5 quarts with filter; LX, 4D Wagon holds 5.5 quarts with filter; SHO holds 6.5 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1996 Ford Taurus?
Most 1996 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 1996 Ford Taurus?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1996 Ford Taurus. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.