2012 Ford Mustang Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Ford Mustang oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Boss 302 takes 5W-50 (8.5 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans takes 5W-20 (8.0 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans takes 5W-20 (8.0 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans takes 5W-20 (8.0 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans takes 5W-20 (8.0 quarts qt with filter); the Shelby GT500, 2D Convertible takes 5W-50 (6.5 quarts qt with filter); the Shelby GT500, 2D Coupe takes 5W-50 (6.5 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Boss 302: 5W-50, 8.5 quarts with filter
- GT, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans: 5W-20, 8.0 quarts with filter
- GT, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans: 5W-20, 8.0 quarts with filter
- GT, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans: 5W-20, 8.0 quarts with filter
- GT, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans: 5W-20, 8.0 quarts with filter
- Shelby GT500, 2D Convertible: 5W-50, 6.5 quarts with filter
- Shelby GT500, 2D Coupe: 5W-50, 6.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans — 3.7L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| Base, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans — 3.7L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| Base, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans — 3.7L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| Base, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans — 3.7L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| Boss 302 — Boss 302,5.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-50 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 8.50 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| GT, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans — GT,5.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 8.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| GT, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans — GT,5.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 8.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| GT, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans — GT,5.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 8.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| GT, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans — GT,5.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 8.00 QTS. | — | Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only to meet the requirements of FORD Specification WSS-M2C946-A and the API Certification mark. |
| Shelby GT500, 2D Convertible — 5.4L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-50 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.50 QTS. | — | — |
| Shelby GT500, 2D Coupe — 5.4L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-50 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.50 QTS. | — | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 2012 Ford Mustang
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Buy the right oil & filter for your Mustang
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Mustang
🛞 2012 Ford Mustang Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Ford Mustang Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Ford Mustang Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Ford Mustang Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
12.4 quarts (11.73 L) — MOTORCRAFT Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-3-B or equivalent. Use coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Ford Mustang take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans uses 5W-20; Base, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans uses 5W-20; Base, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans uses 5W-20; Base, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans uses 5W-20; Boss 302 uses 5W-50; GT, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans uses 5W-20; GT, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans uses 5W-20; GT, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans uses 5W-20; GT, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans uses 5W-20; Shelby GT500, 2D Convertible uses 5W-50; Shelby GT500, 2D Coupe uses 5W-50.
What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Ford Mustang?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Boss 302 holds 8.5 quarts with filter; GT, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans holds 8.0 quarts with filter; GT, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans holds 8.0 quarts with filter; GT, 2D Coupe, Automatic Trans holds 8.0 quarts with filter; GT, 2D Coupe, Standard Trans holds 8.0 quarts with filter; Shelby GT500, 2D Convertible holds 6.5 quarts with filter; Shelby GT500, 2D Coupe holds 6.5 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Ford Mustang?
Most 2012 Ford Mustang 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 2012 Ford Mustang?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Ford Mustang. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.