LincolnAviator2005Overview/lincoln/aviator/2005/base/

2005 Lincoln Aviator

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Aviator.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2005 Lincoln Aviator is an SUV featuring a 5-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. This model delivers an EPA fuel economy rating of 11/17/13 mpg. Within a model complaint history spanning 2003 to 2027, the 2005 year recorded zero recalls and 51 owner complaints—concentrated primarily in the structure—which represents a decrease from the 111 complaints seen in 2003.

Model year202520242023202220212020200520042003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/17/13 mpgEPA · 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 sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight5002 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 17 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.9–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2003 Premium
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003Premium 4.6L V86.90 sec15.40 sec302 hpAWD
2003Premium 4.6L V87.40 sec15.90 sec302 hpAWD
2003Premium 4.6L V87.60 sec16.20 sec302 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity14.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Engine Oil Pressure75 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle155 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.06 in / 0.45 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.04 in / 0.43 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 90 degrees, must not exceed 148 ft. lbs.(200Nm).66 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 5,000 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 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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.

Within the 2003–2005 Lincoln Aviator records, federal activity trends downward: complaints fall from 111 in 2003 and 81 in 2004 to 51 in 2005, while recalls drop from one in 2003 to zero in 2004 and 2005, and TSBs decline from 73 to 56 to 29. The 2005 model sits at the end of this arc with the lowest complaints, no recalls, one investigation, and the fewest TSBs of the three years. Its leading complaint categories are Structure (25), Power Train (9), Air Bags (3), and Steering (2), with three crash-related complaints and no fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Although the later years in the supplied record show far higher recall and TSB volumes, those figures do not alter the 2005 model’s comparatively quiet federal profile. Overall, 2005 looks like the most federally benign year of this Aviator generation and is a comparatively good year to buy, provided a pre-purchase inspection focuses on structural and powertrain condition and confirms maintenance history.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
29
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
51
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 51 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure25
Power Train9
Air Bags3
Steering2
Visibility2
Suspension1
Structure,Engine1
Power Train,Wheels1

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 29 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 460852016-09-21Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
TSB-08-19-32009-05-01Power TrainFORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNAL LUBE FOUND IN THE…
052132006-01-01Fuel System, OtherMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH PCM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0463 AND/OR IC DIAGNOSTIC…
06372006-01-01TiresLOW TIRE INDICATOR ON - TPMS SYSTEM SENSOR WAKE UP. *TT
065132006-01-01Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE MISFIRE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) PEWEE, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305…

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Aviator. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

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 2005 Aviator take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Aviator have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Aviator get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined mpg.