1981 Mercury Capri Oil Capacity, Types, & Filters
Your ultimate DIY maintenance guide for the 1981 Mercury Capri oil change is here! No more searching – find all the critical oil specs for your 1981 Mercury Capri, including exact engine oil capacity, the manufacturer recommended oil viscosity and type, and the correct OEM and aftermarket oil filters.
We cover all available engine options categorized by their specific engine codes, ensuring you get pinpoint accuracy for your specific vehicle configuration. Keep reading to discover everything required for a successful 1981 Mercury Capri oil change!
Scroll Table ➜
| Engine & Code | Oil Capacity | Oil Viscosity/Type | Oil Filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cylinder [A] A | 5 quarts (with filter) | SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS) | N/A |
| 2.3L 4-cylinder [W] W Turbo | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 3.3L 6-cylinder [B] B | 5 quarts (with filter) | SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS) | N/A |
| 4.2L 8-cylinder [D] D | 5 quarts (with filter) | SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS) | N/A |
Select Your 1981 Mercury Capri Engine Option
2.3L 4-cylinder Engine Code [A] A
Engine:
2.3L 4-cylinder [A] A [aka 2.3L 4-cylinder]
Body & Trims:
All
Oil Capacity:
5 quarts (with filter)
Oil Viscosity/Type:
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
OEM Oil Filter:
N/A
Oil Filter Replaces:
N/A
1981 Mercury Capri 2.3L 4-cylinder [A] A oil change details
Oil Grade:
API*
Oil Capacity:
5 quarts. (with filter). This is the capacity with the oil filter installed. Always check the oil level after refilling.
Oil Viscosity/Type:
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
Name of Oil Filter:
N/A
Wix Oil Filter:
Wix Air Filter:
N/A
Coolant Capacity:
9 quarts - For models with Air Conditioning (AC).
8.5 quarts - For models WithOut Air Conditioning (AC).
Oil Drain Plug Torque:
15-25 ft/lbs (Oil Drain Plug)
Notes:
N/A
2.3L 4-cylinder Engine Code [W] W Turbo
Engine:
2.3L 4-cylinder [W] W Turbo [aka 2.3L 4-cylinder (Turbo)]
Body & Trims:
All
Oil Capacity:
N/A
Oil Viscosity/Type:
N/A
OEM Oil Filter:
N/A
Oil Filter Replaces:
N/A
1981 Mercury Capri 2.3L 4-cylinder [W] W Turbo oil change details
Oil Grade:
N/A
Oil Capacity:
N/A
Oil Viscosity/Type:
N/A
Oil Drain Plug Torque:
N/A
Notes:
N/A
3.3L 6-cylinder Engine Code [B] B
Engine:
3.3L 6-cylinder [B] B [aka 3.3L 6-cylinder]
Body & Trims:
All
Oil Capacity:
5 quarts (with filter)
Oil Viscosity/Type:
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
OEM Oil Filter:
N/A
Oil Filter Replaces:
N/A
1981 Mercury Capri 3.3L 6-cylinder [B] B oil change details
Oil Grade:
API*
Oil Capacity:
5 quarts. (with filter). This is the capacity with the oil filter installed. Always check the oil level after refilling.
Oil Viscosity/Type:
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
Oil Drain Plug Torque:
15-25 ft/lbs (Oil Drain Plug)
Notes:
N/A
4.2L 8-cylinder Engine Code [D] D
Engine:
4.2L 8-cylinder [D] D [aka 4.2L 8-cylinder]
Body & Trims:
All
Oil Capacity:
5 quarts (with filter)
Oil Viscosity/Type:
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
OEM Oil Filter:
N/A
Oil Filter Replaces:
N/A
1981 Mercury Capri 4.2L 8-cylinder [D] D oil change details
Oil Grade:
API*
Oil Capacity:
5 quarts. (with filter). This is the capacity with the filter installed. Some engines may have two oil drain plugs. After refilling, check the oil level and add more to reach the proper level if needed.
Oil Viscosity/Type:
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
Oil Drain Plug Torque:
15-25 ft/lbs (Oil Drain Plug)
Notes:
N/A
People also ask – 1981 Mercury Capri
What is the oil capacity of a 1981 Mercury Capri?
Depending on the specific engine option, the 1981 Mercury Capri oil capacity ranges from 5 to 5 quarts. Here is the exact oil capacity breakdown for each available engine configuration:
• 2.3L 4-cylinder ([A] A): 5 quarts. (with filter). This is the capacity with the oil filter installed. Always check the oil level after refilling.
• 2.3L 4-cylinder ([W] W Turbo): Check Owner's Manual
• 3.3L 6-cylinder ([B] B): 5 quarts. (with filter). This is the capacity with the oil filter installed. Always check the oil level after refilling.
• 4.2L 8-cylinder ([D] D): 5 quarts. (with filter). This is the capacity with the filter installed. Some engines may have two oil drain plugs. After refilling, check the oil level and add more to reach the proper level if needed.
Always check your dipstick after refilling to ensure the proper level.
What type of oil does a 1981 Mercury Capri use?
Across its 4 available engine configurations, the 1981 Mercury Capri uses the following motor oil viscosities: SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS). Using the correct manufacturer-approved oil weight is crucial for engine health. Here are the specific oil type requirements by engine:
• 2.3L 4-cylinder ([A] A):Grade: API*
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
• 2.3L 4-cylinder ([W] W Turbo):
Grade: OEM Standard
See Cap or Owner's Manual
• 3.3L 6-cylinder ([B] B):
Grade: API*
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
• 4.2L 8-cylinder ([D] D):
Grade: API*
SAE 5W-30 (All TEMPS)
What is the best oil filter for the 1981 Mercury Capri?
The proper oil filter depends on your exact engine code. The 1981 Mercury Capri utilizes the following premium aftermarket Wix oil filters across its lineup: 51515-EA. Here is the specific OEM and aftermarket filter data for each engine:
• 2.3L 4-cylinder ([A] A):OEM Filter: Check Dealer Part or Owner's Manual
Wix Filter: 51515-EA
• 2.3L 4-cylinder ([W] W Turbo):
OEM Filter: Check Dealer Part or Owner's Manual
Wix Filter: 51515-EA
• 3.3L 6-cylinder ([B] B):
OEM Filter: Check Dealer Part or Owner's Manual
Wix Filter: 51515-EA
• 4.2L 8-cylinder ([D] D):
OEM Filter: Check Dealer Part or Owner's Manual
Wix Filter: 51515-EA
How often should I change the oil in my 1981 Mercury Capri?
For modern models running full synthetic oil, oil change intervals are typically every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. However, for older Mercury Capri generations (1985-2010) or those using conventional/synthetic-blend fluid, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is highly recommended to prevent sludge buildup. Regardless of engine (2.3L 4-cylinder, 3.3L 6-cylinder and 4.2L 8-cylinder), you should change your oil at least once a year even if you don’t reach the mileage limit.