--- title: "Ford Explorer Parts and Specs" description: "Oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire fitment, wiper sizes, service intervals, and known problems for every Ford Explorer from 2012 to 2025. Sourced and confidence-labelled." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # Ford Explorer Parts, Specs and Maintenance Guide Every maintenance specification for the 2012-2025 Ford Explorer, organised by generation. 2012 through 2025, 2 generations covered. ## Quick facts: 2020-2025 Explorer | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 5W-30, 5.7 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group H6 (Group 48), 760 CCA | | Tire size | 255/65R18 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 26" / 22" / 11" rear | | Max towing | 5,600 lbs | | Cabin filter | Ford JX6Z-19N619-B (Motorcraft equivalent; shared with Lincoln Aviator) | ## Ford Explorer maintenance guides ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/specs). ## Which Ford Explorer generation do you have? Specifications change at generation boundaries, not every model year. Two cars four years apart often take the identical oil, filter, and battery. | Generation | Model years | Body style | Engines | Oil | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | U625 (6th generation) | [2020-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025) | Mid-size 3-row SUV (RWD-based CD6 platform, RWD/AWD; 2025 refresh) | 3 | 5W-30, 5W-20 | | U502 (5th generation) | [2012-2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019) | Mid-size 3-row crossover SUV (unibody, FWD/AWD) | 4 | 5W-20, 5W-30 | ## About the Ford Explorer The Ford Explorer is America's best-selling three-row midsize SUV, and the 2012-2025 span covers two fundamentally different vehicles. 5L EcoBoost in Sport and Platinum trims. 5L V6's internal chain-driven water pump, which can take the engine with it when it fails, and leak-prone power transfer units on AWD models, plus a years-long NHTSA investigation into exhaust odor/carbon monoxide in the cabin (closed in 2023 without a recall) and repeated rear toe-link recalls. 3L V6 hybrid through 2024; a heavy 2025 refresh consolidated trims (Active, ST-Line, Platinum, ST) and dropped the hybrid. Sixth-gen ownership issues center on the rear axle mounting bolt recalls, 360-camera recall, and 10-speed shift-quality complaints. 3, lug torque is 100 ft-lbs, and Ford's schedule is simple: 10,000-mile oil changes via the oil-life monitor, cabin filter at 20k, air filter at 30k, plugs and coolant at 100k, transmission fluid at 150k. ## Ford Explorer by model year - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) ## Sources - [2020 Explorer Owner's Manual, Capacities and Specifications (fordservicecontent.com)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6725&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&moidRef=G1635371&Uid=G1977553&ProcUid=G1988500&userMarket=CAN&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) - [CarCareTruth, 2020-2026 Explorer oil type & capacity (from OEM manuals)](https://www.carcaretruth.com/engine-oil/ford-explorer-6th-gen) - [NHTSA recall 23V-675 / Ford 23S55, rear axle bolt replacement](https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=23V675) - [Ford recall 22S27 (NHTSA 22V-712), rear axle bolt software remedy](https://www.ford.com/support/campaign-details/22s27/) - [NHTSA recall 23V-342 (Ford 23S23), 360-camera blue image](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V342-5662.PDF) - [Levittown Ford parts, FA-1947 / L1MZ-9601-A engine air filter (3.0L/3.3L)](https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/l1mz-9601-a.html) - [Ford Parts Giant, JX6Z-19N619-B cabin air filter, 2020 Explorer](https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/oem-2020-ford-explorer-cabin_air_filter.html) - [ExplorerST.org, factory H6 battery, fluid capacities (Mercon ULV, 75W-85 rear axle)](https://www.explorerst.org/threads/car-battery-recommendations.9879/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2021 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2021_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [Goodyear / Mavis, 2021-2024 Explorer OE tire sizes by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Ford/Explorer/2024) - [Car and Driver, 2020 Explorer specs (fuel tank, curb weight, towing)](https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer/specs/2020/ford_explorer_ford-explorer_2020) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.