I have a 2000 E150 with the 4.2L V-6. My question is the manual calls for 6qts of engine oil. But with 6qts in, the dipstick shows 1/2 below full (1/2 of the cross section fill area). Is it off since it is a van and the dipstick is 6' long? Or does it really take 6.5qts?

 

If you ran it after changing oil & filter and it is on level ground still 1/2 qt low it should do no harm to bring it up to the full mark. There are loads of vehicles going around with a 1/2 qt over or under the full mark. If they didn't put a full mark some people would keep adding and that is inviting problems and we know what happens if you drive it without enough oil. On some dipsticks 1/2 qt low is still within the crosshatched operating range. (It probably takes 6.5 qts)

 

Hanky is right, the extra 1/2 quart won't hurt. Our 2000 Taurus DOHC went for 198,000 miles running 6 quarts of oil instead of the specified 5.5 quarts. Was still running fine when sold. I currently run our 2007 Focus with 5 instead of 4.5 and our 2010 MKZ with 6 instead of 5.5 quarts. All without any issues.

 

Agreed with hanky !!