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Comprehensive 3.0L Powerstroke Maintenance Guide & Parts List

2018+ Ford F-150 3.0L Powerstroke Diesel Maintenance

Significant changes happened in 2018 to the F-150 truck line-up. Starting that model year, the 3.0L Powerstroke diesel engine was an available powertrain choice, which came mated to the 10R80 10-Speed Automatic transmission. The 3.0L Powerstroke was a response to FCA’s 3.0L EcoDiesel, and it provided some pretty solid competition. It offers impressive fuel economy and tow capacity. If you’re the owner of one, i’m sure you want to make sure your “Mini” Powerstroke continues to perform and that it holds up for as long as possible. The only way that is gonna happen is if you stay on top of maintenance. 3.0L Powerstroke maintenance can be expensive if you let the dealership handle it for you. It doesn’t have to be though. If you’re even slightly mechanically inclined, maintaining your own truck can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your truck.

Our 3.0L Powerstroke Maintenance Guide gives you all the information you need to maintain your truck. You first need to know when maintenance or service needs to be done. That’s where our 3.0L Powerstroke service intervals come in. Then you need to know what fluids to use, what filters/parts to use, and the fluid capacity of these trucks. All of our recommendations are OEM recommended products, and we strongly recommend you stick with OEM the entire duration of your 3.0L Powerstroke ownership. That means Motorcraft or Ford products only!

2021 Ford F-150 3.0L Powerstroke Diesel
New 2021 Ford F-150. Photo taken from the Ford Media Website.

3.0L Powerstroke Service Intervals

How often Do I Need to Service my 3.0 Powerstroke?

How often you need to service your 3.0L Powerstroke really depends on how the truck is used. These trucks are equipped with an intelligent oil life monitoring system that gauges how the truck is being used and will actually inform the driver when it is time for an oil change. If the vehicle is used as a commuter and don’t abuse your truck, you fit under the normal operating conditions category. The schedule you follow calls for less frequent service than vehicles that are used regularly for work. Commercial fleet vehicles, vehicles that are frequently idling or driving in heavy traffic, and vehicles that tow heavy loads call for more frequent service. If you fit in that category, you’re going to want to follow the severe operating conditions chart below.

Normal Operating Conditions

Maintenance/ServiceMilesKilometers
Change Oil7,500-10,000 miles*
or 1 year
12,000-16,000 km or
1 year*
Change Oil
Filter
7,500-10,000 miles*12,000-16,000 km*
Replace Cabin Air
Filter
20,000 miles32,000 km
Change Fuel
Filter(s)
30,000 miles48,000 km
Replace Air
Filter
30,000 miles48,000 km
Flush Cooling
System (2018 Models)
First Flush: 100,000 miles
or 6 years. Then,
50,000 mile intervals or
every 3 years.
First Flush: 160,000
km or 6 years. Then,
80,000 km intervals
or every 3 years.
Flush Cooling System
(2019+ Models)
First Flush: 200,000
miles or 10 years. Then,
100,000 mile intervals
or every 5 years.
First Flush: 320,000
km or 10 years.
Then, 160,000
km intervals or
every 5 years.
Replace Transmission
Fluid
150,000 miles240,000 km
Change
transmission
filter
150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Transfer
Case Fluid
150,000 miles**240,000 km
Change Belt(s)150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Rear
Axle Fluid
150,000 miles**240,000 km
Replace Front
Axle Fluid
150,000 miles**240,000 km
  • * All 3.0L Powerstroke equipped F-150 trucks are equipped with an intelligent oil life monitoring system that will warn you when it’s time for a service. This intelligent oil life monitoring system adjusts according to driving conditions.
  • ** Change fluid immediately if submerged in water.

Severe/Extreme Operating Conditions

Maintenance/ServiceMilesKilometers
Change Oil
Severe:
Extreme:
See Below
5,000-7,500 miles*
3,000-5,000 miles*
See Below
8,000-12,000 km*
4,800-8,000 km*
Change Oil
Filter
See Below
5,000-7,500 miles*
3,000-5,000 miles*
See Below
8,000-12,000 km*
4,800-8,000 km*
Replace Cabin Air
Filter
20,000 miles32,000 km
Change Fuel
Filter(s)
30,000 miles48,000 km
Replace Air
Filter
30,000 miles48,000 km
Flush Cooling
System (2018 Models)
60,000 miles or
2400 hours. Then,
45,000 mile intervals or
every 1800 hours.
96,000 km
or 2400 hours.
Then, 72,000 km
intervals or
every 1800 hours.
Flush Cooling System
(2019+ Models)
60,000 miles or
2400 hours. Then,
45,000 mile intervals or
every 1800 hours.
96,000 km
or 2400 hours.
Then, 72,000 km
intervals or
every 1800 hours.
Replace Transmission
Fluid
150,000 miles240,000 km
Change
transmission
filter
150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Transfer
Case Fluid
150,000 miles**240,000 km
Change Belt(s)150,000 miles240,000 km
Replace Rear
Axle Fluid
150,000 miles**240,000 km
Replace Front
Axle Fluid
150,000 miles**240,000 km
  • * All 3.0L Powerstroke equipped F-150 trucks are equipped with an intelligent oil life monitoring system that will warn you when it’s time for a service. This intelligent oil life monitoring system adjusts according to driving conditions.
  • ** Change fluid immediately if submerged in water.

3.0L Powerstroke Fluid Capacity

Before you order the fluids or oil necessary for 3.0L Powerstroke maintenance, you should really know exactly how much fluid and oil is actually needed. The chart below lists how much you will need. I do recommend purchasing slightly more than what is needed. You do not want to have to wait a couple of days for more fluid or oil because what you received isn’t enough to adequately fill your truck. Remember to always fill your truck according to the dipstick or reservoir fill lines. You never want to overfill or inadequately fill a component.

Oil/FluidCapacity – QuartsCapacity – Liters
Engine Oil /w Filter6.5 Quarts6.15 Liters
Auto Transmission Fluid
(Dry Fill)
13.3 Quarts12.6 Liters
Transfer Case
Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly
Automatic 4WD
—————
1.5 Quarts
1.5 Quarts
————-
1.4 Liters
1.4 Liters
Coolant13.7 Quarts13 Liters
Front Axle Fluid3.5 Pints
1.75 Quarts
1.7 Liters
Rear Axle Fluid2.75 Quarts2.6 Liters
DEF Tank Capacity22.5 Quarts
5.625 Gallons
21.3 Liters
Fuel Tank Capacity26 Gallons98.4 Liters
Brake FluidBetween Min/Max
on Brake Fluid
Reservoir
Between Min/Max
on Brake Fluid
Reservoir
A/C Refrigerant29 Oz..82 kg
A/C Compressor Oil2.7 Fl. Oz.80 ml

3.0L Powerstroke Service Parts

Now that you know the quantity of oil or fluids you will need to properly maintain your 3.0L Powerstroke, you can actually order the products you need. Remember, you’re going to want to stick with Motorcraft or Ford parts as much as possible. To help our readers out, we compiled a list of the most commonly needed service parts and the must-haves for your 3.0L Powerstroke. By clicking on one of the bold part numbers below, you will visit the product’s page on Amazon where you can take advantage of your Amazon Prime membership and free 2-day shipping if it’s available.

Part TypePart #
Engine OilNormal Conditions (preferred): 5W-30
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Diesel Motor Oil
Severe (Preferred): 5W-40
Motorcraft SAE 5W-40 Diesel Motor Oil
Engine Oil FilterMotorcraft FL-2081
Fuel Filter
Complete Kit
Motorcraft FD-4627
Fuel Sending UnitMotorcraft PS1044
Cabin Air FilterMotorcraft FP-79
Air Filter ElementMotorcraft FA-1883
Windshield Wiper BladesMotorcraft WW-2247
Belt Tensioner
(Inner)
Motorcraft BT145
Belt Tensioner
(Outer)
Motorcraft BT144 
Inner Drive Serpentive BeltMotorcraft JK6505
Outer Drive Serpentive BeltMotorcraft JK6591
Timing BeltMotorcraft 6268
Engine Coolant
Thermostat
Motorcraft RT1227
Upper Radiator
Hose
Motorcraft KM5599
Lower Radiator
Hose
Motorcraft KM5600
Radiator CapMotorcraft RS531
Water PumpMotorcraft PW596
BatteryBAGM-49H8-850
StarterMotorcraft SA1108
AlternatorMotorcraft GL8908
Glow PlugsMotorcraft ZD-22
Coolant
2018:
2019+:
See Below
Motorcraft Orange Prediluted Coolant: VC-3DIL-B
Motorcraft Yellow Prediluted Coolant: VC-13DL-G
Transmission FluidMotorcraft MERCON ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid: XT-12-QULV
Transmission
Filter
Motorcraft FT215
Transmission
Pump Inlet
Filter
Motorcraft FT138
Transfer Case FluidMotorcraft MERCON LV Automatic Transmission Fluid: XT-10-QLVC
Front Axle FluidSAE 75W-85 Premium Synthetic Hypoid
Gear Lubricant: XY-75W85-QL
Rear Differential FluidSAE 75W-85 Premium Synthetic Hypoid
Gear Lubricant: XY-75W85-QL
Diesel Exhaust FluidMotorcraft PM-27-Gal
Motorcraft PM-27-Jug
Engine Oil ViscosityTemperature Range
SAE 5W-30Ambient Temperatures > -20 Degrees Fahrenheit
SAE 10W-30Ambient Temperatures > 0 Degrees Fahrenheit
SAE 5W-40*Ambient Temperatures > -20 Degrees Fahrenheit
SAE 0W-30Ambient Temperatures < -20 Degrees Fahrenheit
* Use 5W-40 for trucks that fall under the severe duty service schedule and for trucks running biodiesel.

Learn More About the 3.0L Powerstroke

Visit some of our other 3.0L Powerstroke resources by clicking on one of the links below.

2018 Ford F-150 3.0L Powerstroke DIesel Maintenance

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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.