Friction is a major enemy of the internal combustion engine – It causes wear of internal components, and decreases the efficiency of the engine. This is where engine oil comes into play – it provides the necessary lubrication to prevent excessive wear, a detergent to help prevent buildup of byproducts from oil breakdown, and even acts as a hydraulic cushion between two components when they come together. The lubrication system in most modern engines is a lot more precise than in older engines, which makes it vital to maintain the proper oil level at all times. Even a quart low, and the top end of your engine might not get the liquid gold fix it needs have a long, healthy life.
The 2003 Ford F-250 with a 5.4-liter engine holds 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 synthetic engine oil.
