Complete 7.3L Powerstroke Maintenance Guide & Service Schedule
1994.5-2003 Ford Superduty 7.3L Diesel Maintenance Guide
The 7.3L Powerstroke is well-known for being reliable and long-lasting. Even under severe abuse these trucks last a long time. That doesn’t give you an excuse to neglect your truck though! By regularly servicing your 7.3, you can increase your 7.3s useful life. A properly maintained truck will also perform and drive better. What exactly is proper 7.3l Powerstroke maintenance though? Our 7.3l Powerstroke Maintenance Guide makes servicing your truck easy! I’ll give you the proper service schedule to follow as well as the best filters, oil, and fluids to use. I’ll even give you the fluid capacities so you’ll know how much of every different fluid you need.
7.3L Powerstroke Maintenance Varies By Model Year
Maintenance procedures and parts are slightly different depending on your specific model year 7.3L Powerstroke. Take a look at the different charts below and follow the one that applies to your specific model year.
7.3L Powerstroke Maintenance Schedule : Normal Operating Conditions
| Maintenance/Service | Miles | Kilometers |
| Change Oil | 5,000 miles | 8,000 km |
| Change Oil Filter | 5,000 miles | 8,000 km |
| Change Fuel Filter | 15,000 miles or when filter restriction lamp illuminated | 25,000 km |
| Replace Air Filter | 30,000 miles or 30 months (Or when restriction gauge in red zone) | 50,000 km |
| Flush Cooling System | Replace at 50,000 miles, then 30,000 mile intervals | 50,000 km |
| Replace Automatic Transmission Fluid | 30,000 miles | 50,000 km |
| Check & Lubricate auto. trans shift linkage | At 5,000 miles, then at 10,000 mile intervals | 16,000 km |
| Check & Lubricate clutch release lever | At 5,000 miles then at 15,000 mile intervals | 25,000 km |
| Replace Manual transmission fluid | 60,000 miles | 100,000 km |
| Change transmission filter | 30,000 miles | 50,000 km |
| Replace Transfer Case Fluid | 60,000 miles | 100,000 km |
| Replace Rear Differential Fluid | 99,000 miles; if submerged in water replace immediately | 160,000 km |
| Replace Front Differential Fluid | 99,000 miles; if submerged in water replace immediately | 160,000 km |
7.3L Powerstroke Maintenance Schedule : Severe Operating Conditions
| Maintenance/Service | Miles | Kilometers |
| Change Oil | 3,000 miles | 5,000 km |
| Change Oil Filter | 3,000 miles | 5,000 km |
| Change Fuel Filter | 15,000 miles | 25,000 km |
| Replace Air Filter | 30,000 miles/36 months or sooner. Ford: check every 3,000 miles and identify what intervals you need to change your air filter. Then stick with it. | 50,000 km |
| Flush Cooling System | At 50,000 miles, followed by 30,000 mile intervals | 50,000 km |
| Replace Automatic Transmission Fluid & Filter | 21,000 miles | 35,000 km |
| Check & Lubricate auto. trans shift linkage | 6,000 miles | 10,000 km |
| Check & Lubricate clutch release lever | At 3,000 miles, then every 15,000 miles | 25,000 km |
| Change Manual transmission Fluid | 60,000 miles | 100,000 km |
| Replace Transfer Case Fluid | 60,000 miles | 100,000 km |
| Replace Rear Differential Fluid | 30,000 miles or immediately if submerged in water | 50,000 km |
| Replace Front Differential Fluid | 30,000 miles or immediately if submerged in water | 50,000 km |
7.3L Powerstroke OEM Maintenance Parts, Filters, & Fluids
If you want to keep your 7.3L Powerstroke running well, you should use products that meet or exceed OEM standards. At Diesel Resource, we’re big believers in using OEM maintenance parts. That means using Motorcraft or Ford parts. Aftermarket filters and fluids often don’t fit properly, don’t come with the needed gaskets, or don’t maintain the quality of OEM products. Here’s a comprehensive chart of all the fluids, filters, and parts you will need to maintain your 7.3L Powerstroke.
| Part Type | Part # or Year | Amazon Link |
| Engine Oil | XO-15W40-QSD 15W40 | Motorcraft 15W40 (Recommended) Shell Rotella T4 15W40 Shell Rotella T6 15W40 Lucas Oil 15W40 |
| Engine Oil Filter | FL-1995 F4TZ-6731-A | Motorcraft FL-1995 Ford F4TZ-6731-A |
| Fuel Filter | 1994.5-1997 1999-2003 | Motorcraft FD4595 Motorcraft FD4596 |
| Serpentine Belt | 1994.5-1997 1999-2003 | Motorcraft JK81195 Motorcraft JK81227 |
| Engine Air Filter | 1994-1997 1999-2001 2002-2003 | Motorcraft FA1617 Motorcraft FA1680 Motorcraft FA1750 |
| Coolant | 50/50 mixture See Owner’s Manual for more details | Motorcraft VC 5 |
| Battery | BXT65-850 | Motorcraft BXT65-850 |
| Wiper Blades | WW1800PC WW1802PF | WW1800PC WW1802PF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | Mercon V ATF | Mercon V ATF |
| Transmission Filter | Motorcraft FT114 | Motorcraft FT114 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | Mercon V ATF | Mercon V ATF |
| Transfer Case Fluid | Mercon V ATF | Mercon V ATF |
| Rear Differential Fluid | Dana 80 Dana 135 | 75W90 Gear Oil 80W90 Gear Oil |
| Front Differential Fluid | Dana 50 Dana 60 | 80W90 Gear Oil 80W90 Gear Oil |
Learn More about the 7.3L Powerstroke
- 7.3L Powerstroke Specifications
- 7.3L Powerstroke Fluid specifications and Capacities
- Best 7.3L Powerstroke Performance Upgrades
- Common 7.3L Powerstroke Problems
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.