--- title: "2012-2019 Ford Explorer Specs" description: "Oil, battery group, tire sizes, wipers, filters, brakes, fluids and service intervals shared across every 2012-2019 Ford Explorer, the U502 (5th generation), plus what changed year to year." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2019 Ford Explorer Specifications Every maintenance specification shared across the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer: which oil and how much, battery group, factory tire sizes, wiper lengths, service intervals, and the failures recorded against this generation, the U502 (5th generation), Mid-size 3-row crossover SUV (unibody, FWD/AWD). ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 5W-20, 6 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group 65, 650 CCA | | Tire size | 245/60R18 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 26" / 22" / 11" rear | | Max towing | 5,000 lbs | | Cabin filter | Motorcraft FP-70 (Ford CV6Z-19N619-A) | ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer maintenance guides ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/specs). ## Which engines came in the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? | Engine | Model years | Trims | Oil | Capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 (naturally aspirated) | 2012-2019 | Base, XLT, Limited (standard engine) | 5W-20 | 6 qt | | 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (2012-2015) | 2012-2015 | XLT, Limited (FWD only; no tow package) | 5W-30 | 5.7 qt | | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (2016-2019) | 2016-2019 | Base, XLT, Limited (FWD or AWD) | 5W-30 | 5.7 qt | | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (Sport 2013-2019, Platinum 2016-2019) | 2013-2019 | Sport, Platinum (AWD standard) | 5W-30 | 6 qt | ## Year-by-year changes | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package) | | 2013 | Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels | | 2014 | Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats | | 2015 | Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide | | 2016 | Major facelift: new front/rear styling, 280-hp 2.3L EcoBoost replaces the 2.0L, Platinum trim (3.5L EcoBoost) added, SYNC 3 arrives mid-cycle; low-beam bulb changes to H11 | | 2018-2019 | Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign | ## Model years in this generation - [2012 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) - [2013 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2014 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2015 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2016 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2017 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2018 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2019 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) For the full nameplate history, see the [Ford Explorer guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer). ## Sources - [Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)](https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/oil-change/oil-change-information/what-is-the-recommended-engine-oil-for-my-vehicle/) - [NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2017/INOA-EA17002-5925.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V537-1447.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V031-8781.PDF) - [Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement](https://fordauthority.com/2024/01/ford-water-pump-lawsuit-settlement-ends-class-action/) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment](https://www.ford.com/product/vehicle-battery-p4000109971) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)](https://www.ford.com/product/spark-plug-p4000139430) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)](https://www.ford.com/product/cabin-air-filter-p4000138624) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/ford/explorer/2016) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.