FordF-2502008Overview/ford/f-250/2008/base/
250 platform

2008 Ford F-250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 F.

Built on the heavy-duty 250 platform, the 2008 Ford F-250 relies on 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil to maintain its powertrain. While the truck generated 31 total owner complaints primarily focused on steering, it notably accrued zero recalls during this production cycle. When contextualized within the model's broader 1990 to 2011 complaint history, this year sits significantly closer to the historical low of four complaints in 1990 than the problematic peak of 594 complaints in 1999, indicating a relatively stable and dependable point in the platform's lineage.

Model year2025202420232008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT275-70R18OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4085 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.0–9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2017 F-150 Raptor SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007F-150 FX4 SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.80 sec16.70 sec300 hp4x4
2009F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V87.90 sec16.20 sec310 hp4X4
2009F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.10 sec16.20 sec320 hp4x4
2010F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.50 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4
2010F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.70 sec15.30 sec411 hp4x4
2011F-150 FX4 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2011F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec365 hpRWD
2011F-150 Harley-Davidson 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.30 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity8.5 pints , Dana 80 , rear
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity14 PINTS

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22-32 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug32.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)148.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis BracketNon Waxed: 277.0, Waxed: 222.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle166.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket166.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)4-7
RPM4-7 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket55 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs / 203 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.433 in / 1.275 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 9066 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
150 ft. lbs., step 2: 9050 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5915 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 694 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1coolant crossover bolts7.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 130 ft. lbs., Step 3: 170110 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 20,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Ford F-250 generated 337 complaints, 11 recalls, and 92 TSBs, a sharp escalation from 2007’s 60 complaints, 4 recalls, and 10 TSBs, and substantially higher than 2009’s 77 complaints, 3 recalls, and 43 TSBs. Across the federal record, 2008 forms a pronounced spike interrupting the lower activity seen from 2005 to 2007, before metrics receded again in 2009. Steering topped the complaint categories with 8 filings, followed by Engine and Service Brakes with 3 each, and Engine & Engine Cooling with 2, though the data does not specify root causes; the year recorded zero crash and zero fire complaints. Given that 2008 represents a clear high-water mark in complaints and recalls relative to adjacent model years, it presents higher documented risk exposure than 2007 or 2009 and is therefore a less favorable year to purchase in this sequence.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering8
Engine3
Service Brakes3
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Unknown Or Other1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Electrical System1
Steering,Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 477972019-02-07Electrical SystemSome 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
SSM 477972019-02-07Electrical SystemSome 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
SSM 473312018-06-01EngineVarious vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 F take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.