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2011-2016 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Maintenance Guide, Fluid Capacities, and Service Schedule

How to Maintain a 2011-2016 6.7L Powerstroke

2011-2016 6.7L Powerstroke Maintenance Schedule

The 6.7L Powerstroke was a blessing for Ford truck owners who needed a diesel engine. It’s far more reliable than both the 6.0L and 6.4L Powerstroke engines. It also doesn’t require an expensive “bulletproof” kit to make these trucks last a long time. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t maintain your 6.7L Powerstroke and follow a proper maintenance schedule though. By following the proper 6.7L Powerstroke maintenance schedule, you can get thousands of problem-free miles out of your truck. What is the correct 6.7L Maintenance schedule? It means following Ford’s recommended service schedule to the “T”. It’s more than just following the right schedule though, you need to use quality fluids, oil, and filters that meet or exceed OEM specifications. I’m going to make it easy for you in this post, this comprehensive 2011-2016 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke maintenance guide.

6.7L Powerstroke Maintenance Schedule
6.7L Powerstroke Gallery Submission

Pick the Right Schedule

Ford Owner Manuals for the 6.7L Powerstroke actually list more than two recommended maintenance schedules. However, the vast majority of Powerstroke owners will fit into one of the two schedules I have listed in charts below. The proper 6.7L Powerstroke maintenance schedule for you is based off of how you operate your truck. If you “baby” your truck, don’t tow heavy loads or idle frequently, and live in a rural area, you are probably okay following the normal operating conditions maintenance schedule. On the reverse side, if you tow or idle frequently, use your truck for work, or drive in heavy traffic frequently, you’re going to want to use the severe maintenance schedule.

Maintenance tasks to complete every oil change

There are also 6.7L Powerstroke maintenance tasks that need to be done at every service intervals. Every time you change your oil or bring your 6.7 in to the dealership, make sure the tasks are completed.

  • Rotate and inspect your tires
  • inspect your air filter restriction gauge. Replace filter if necessary
  • Check wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag
  • Inspect and lubricate steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie rod ends, driveshaft, front axle U-joints (4WD vehicles)
  • Check automatic transmission fluid level
  • Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and parking brake
  • Inspect exhaust system and heat shields
  • Refill diesel exhaust fluid tank

Normal Operating Conditions

Maintenance/ServiceMilesKilometers
Change Oil10,000 miles16,000 km
Change Oil
Filter
10,000 miles16,000 km
Change Fuel
Filter
22,500 miles36,000 km
Replace Foam Air
Inlet Filter
Every 45,000 miles72,000 km
Replace Air
Filter
45,000 miles or earlier
if needed.
72,000 km
Flush Cooling
System
First Flush: 105,00 miles
or 6 years. Then, 45,000
mile intervals or
every 3 years.
First Flush: 168,000
km or 6 years. Then,
72,000 km intervals
or every 3 years.
Replace Transmission
Fluid
150,000 miles240,000 km
Change
transmission filter
150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Transfer
Case Fluid
150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Rear
Differential Fluid
First at 100,000 miles,
then 50,000 mile
intervals
Change immediately
if submerged in water
First at 160,000 km,
then 80,000 km
intervals
Replace Front
Differential Fluid
150,000 miles
Change immediately
if submerged in water
240,000 km

Severe Operating Conditions

Maintenance/ServiceMilesKilometers
Change Oil2,500-7,500 miles
(see Below)
4,000-12,000 km
(see Below)
Change Oil
Filter
7,500 miles12,000 km
Change Fuel
Filter
15,000 miles, 6 months, or
600 hours
24,000 km, 6 months
or 600 hours
Replace Foam Air
Inlet Filter
Every 45,000 miles
or earlier if needed.
72,000 km
Replace Air
Filter
45,000 miles or earlier
if needed.
72,000 km
Flush Cooling
System
First Flush: 60,000 miles
or 2,400 hours. Then,
45,000 mile intervals or
every 3 years.
First Flush: 96,000
km or 2,400 hours.
Then, 72,000 km
intervals or every
3 years.
Replace Transmission
Fluid
150,000 miles240,000 km
Change
transmission filter
150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Transfer
Case Fluid
60,000 miles96,000 km
Replace Rear
Differential Fluid
50,000 miles
Change immediately
if submerged in water
80,000 km
Replace Front
Differential Fluid
50,000 miles
Change immediately
if submerged in water
80,000 km

Severe Oil Change Intervals

Your 6.7L Powerstroke is equipped with an intelligent oil life monitor that will let you know when you need to change your engine oil and filter. When your display reads “Oil Change Required”, service your truck as soon as possible. The intelligent oil life monitor adjusts the oil change intervals according to your truck’s use. Here are likely oil change intervals based on your truck’s use.

Operating
Conditions
UseMiles & KMHours
Normal– No, or moderate, load/towing
– Flat to moderately hilly roads
– No extended idling
7,500-10,000 miles
12,000-16,000 km
300-
400
Severe– Moderate to heavy
load/towing
– Mountainous or off-road
conditions
– Extended idling
– Extended hot or cold
operation
5,000-7,500 miles
8,000-12,000 km
200-
299
Extreme– Max Load/Towing
– Extreme Heat or Cold
2,500-5,000 miles
4,000-8,000 km
100-
199

Special Conditions – CONSULT OWNER’S MANUAL & DIESEL SUPPLEMENT

If you use your truck for offroading, or if you live in extremely dusty conditions, consult your owner’s manual and diesel supplement for the proper service intervals. You will have to replace your air filter and perform other maintenance more often. You can get a free online version of your owner’s manual and diesel supplement by clicking here.

2011-2016 6.7L Powerstroke Fluid, Oil, and Filter Specs

It’s absolutely vital to use parts and fluids that exceed or meet OEM specifications. You spent tens of thousands of dollars to get yourself a diesel truck, why would you cheap out on maintaining it? If you don’t use the right 6.7L Powerstroke engine oil, fluids, and filters when you perform maintenance, you can be walking down a dangerous road. Aftermarket filters don’t offer the same filtering qualities that a factory Motorcraft filter will. Aftermarket Fluids and engine oil often don’t meet Ford’s specifications either and could lack the lubricating properties needed to protect your engine.

There is a little wiggle room when it comes to engine oil, as there are some really good oils out there that might even outperform OEM Motorcraft diesel engine oil. Stick with Motorcraft parts for all filters and other fluids however. Here’s a chart displaying all the parts, filters, and fluids you need to properly maintain your 6.7L Powerstroke. Click on the part numbers below to buy the product from Amazon!

’11-’16 6.7 Powerstroke Maintenance Parts

Part TypePart #
Engine OilNormal Conditions (preferred): 10W-30
Motorcraft 10W-30 Diesel Engine Oil
Shell Rotella T4 10W-30 Diesel Engine Oil
Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Diesel Engine Oil
Severe (Preferred): 5W-40
Motorcraft 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Engine Oil FilterMotorcraft FL-2051S
Fuel Filter
Complete Kit
Motorcraft FD-4615
Foam Pre-FilterMotorcraft FA-1909
Engine Air FilterMotorcraft FA-1902
CoolantMotorcraft Orange Coolant VC-3DIL-B
Transmission FluidMotorcraft Mercon LV
6R140 Transmission
Filter
Motorcraft FT-187
Transfer Case FluidMotorcraft XL-12 Transfer Case Fluid
Front Differential FluidSAE 80W-90 Gear Oil
XY-80W90-QL
Rear Differential Fluid
10.50″ Axle
Dana 80
Dana S110/S130
See Below
SAE 75W-140 Full synthetic Gear Oil
SAE 75W-90 Full Synthetic Gear Oil
SAE 75W-140 Full Synthetic Gear Oil
Diesel Exhaust FluidMotorcraft PM-27-Gal
Motorcraft PM-27-Jug

Engine Oil Viscosity & Selection Guide

The 6.7L Powerstroke engine is compatible with different oil viscosities to improve performance in certain conditions and climates.

ConditionsViscosity
Temp. above 0 degrees (preferred)10W-30
Temp. above 20 degrees15W-40
Temps greater than -20 Degrees. Preferred
viscosity for trucks that need to follow a
severe service schedule.
5W-40
Use only in extremely cold climates0W-40

6.7L Powerstroke Fluid/Oil Capacity Guide

Oil/FluidCapacity – QuartsCapacity – Liters
Engine Oil /w Filter13 Quarts12.4 Liters
Auto Transmission Fluid16.7-17.4 Quarts15.8-16.6 Liters
Transfer Case2 Quarts1.9 Liters
Coolant29.4-30.3 Quarts27.8-28.7 Liters
Front Differential Fluid3 Quarts (5.8 pints) 2.8 Liters
Rear Differential Fluid
Sterling 10.50″ Axle
Dana 80 Axle
Dana S110/S130
See Below
3.5 Quarts (6.9 pints)
4.2 Quarts (8.5 pints)
7 Quarts (14 pints)
See Below
3.3 Liters
4 Liters
6.6 Liters
DEF Tank Capacity
Pickups
Chassis Cab

5 Gallons
6 Gallons

18.9 Liters
22.7 Liters
Fuel Tank Capacity
Short Box
Long box (except Regular cab)
Regular Cab Long box
(Midship) Chassis Cab
(Aft of Axle)Chassis Cab
Chassis Cab Dual Tanks
See Below
26 gallons
37.5 gallons
26 gallons
28 Gallons
40 Gallons
68 Gallons
See Below
98.4 Liters
142 Liters
98.4 Liters
106 Liters
151.4 Liters
257.4 Liters

Other 6.7L Powerstroke Resources

Want to learn more about the 6.7L Powerstroke? Visit our other 6.7 resource pages by clicking on one of the links below.

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ABOUT Kamil

Founder of Diesel Resource and a complete diesel head. Has a little bit of problem buying too many trucks. Learn more about him by checking out his truck.