--- title: "2012-2019 Ford Explorer Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 6F55 6-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon LV. Total fill ~11.6 qt (3.5L); a pan drain-and-fill exchanges ~4-5 qt. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (30k-60k severe/towing).. Coolant: Motorcraft Orange prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-3DIL-B) per later manuals; earliest build years shipped with Specialty Green, match what's in the reservoir or flush completely. Capacity roughly 11-13.4 qt depending on engine. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2019 Ford Explorer Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 6F55 6-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon LV. Total fill ~11.6 qt (3.5L); a pan drain-and-fill exchanges ~4-5 qt. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (30k-60k severe/towing).. Coolant: Motorcraft Orange prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-3DIL-B) per later manuals; earliest build years shipped with Specialty Green, match what's in the reservoir or flush completely. Capacity roughly 11-13.4 qt depending on engine. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr.. ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer fluid guide (High confidence) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Motorcraft Orange prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-3DIL-B) per later manuals; earliest build years shipped with Specialty Green, match what's in the reservoir or flush completely. Capacity roughly 11-13.4 qt depending on engine. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr. | | Transmission | 6F55 6-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon LV. Total fill ~11.6 qt (3.5L); a pan drain-and-fill exchanges ~4-5 qt. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (30k-60k severe/towing). | | Brake fluid | Motorcraft DOT 4 LV (later years; early cars list DOT 3. Check the reservoir cap) | | Power steering | None (electric power steering) | | Differential | AWD rear drive unit: SAE 75W-140 synthetic, ~1 qt drain & fill | | Transfer case | AWD PTU: SAE 75W-140 synthetic (Motorcraft XY-75W140-QL), ~0.5-0.6 qt. No factory interval, but 30,000-60,000 mi changes are strongly recommended. See common problems. | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2012 through 2019, the U502 (5th generation), mid-size 3-row crossover suv (unibody, fwd/awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [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) ## What changed during the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer | 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 | ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer take? 6F55 6-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon LV. Total fill ~11.6 qt (3.5L); a pan drain-and-fill exchanges ~4-5 qt. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (30k-60k severe/towing).. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer use? Motorcraft Orange prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-3DIL-B) per later manuals; earliest build years shipped with Specialty Green, match what's in the reservoir or flush completely. Capacity roughly 11-13.4 qt depending on engine. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr.. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer take? Motorcraft DOT 4 LV (later years; early cars list DOT 3. Check the reservoir cap). ### What differential fluid does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer take? AWD rear drive unit: SAE 75W-140 synthetic, ~1 qt drain & fill. ## 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) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.