2012–2019 U502 (5th generation)
2012–2019 Ford Explorer Oil Type and Capacity
The 2012–2019 Ford Explorer takes 5W-20 engine oil, 6 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Motorcraft FL-500S. Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents.
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Quick answer
2012–2019 Ford Explorer 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 (naturally aspirated) oil
Verified| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-20 |
| Oil standard | Ford WSS-M2C945-A (API SN / ILSAC GF-5) |
| Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Motorcraft FL-500S |
| Aftermarket filters | Fram XG500 (Ultra), Wix 57502, Purolator PL22500, K&N HP-7025 |
| Change interval | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi typical for severe service |
Spin-on FL-500S filter shared with millions of Ford 3.5/3.7 V6s. Cheap and everywhere. Synthetic-blend is the factory fill; full synthetic is a popular upgrade.
2012–2019 Ford Explorer 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (2012–2015) oil
High confidence| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-30 |
| Oil standard | Ford WSS-M2C946-A (API SN / ILSAC GF-5) |
| Capacity (with filter) | 5.7 qt / 5.4 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Motorcraft FL-910S |
| Aftermarket filters | Fram XG3614, Wix 51372, Purolator PL10241 |
| Change interval | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi severe |
| Drain plug torque | 20 ft-lbs |
Most capacity charts list 5.7 qt with filter; Ford's own oil lookup shows 5.5 qt for some 2.0L applications. Fill to the dipstick. Turbo engines are hard on oil; many owners change at 5,000 mi.
2012–2019 Ford Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (2016–2019) oil
High confidence| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-30 |
| Oil standard | Ford WSS-M2C946-A/-B1 (API SN / ILSAC GF-5) |
| Capacity (with filter) | 5.7 qt / 5.4 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Motorcraft FL-910S |
| Aftermarket filters | Fram XG3614, Wix 51372, Purolator PL10241 |
| Change interval | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi severe |
| Drain plug torque | 20 ft-lbs |
Same FL-910S filter as the 2.0L EcoBoost. Don't confuse with the 2025+ Explorer 2.3L, which switched to the FL-2127 filter.
2012–2019 Ford Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (Sport 2013–2019, Platinum 2016–2019) oil
Verified| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-30 |
| Oil standard | Ford WSS-M2C946-A (API SN / ILSAC GF-5) |
| Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Motorcraft FL-500S |
| Aftermarket filters | Fram XG500 (Ultra), Wix 57502, Purolator PL22500 |
| Change interval | Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi severe (twin-turbo engines are hard on oil) |
Same FL-500S spin-on as the naturally aspirated 3.5L. Many Sport owners run full synthetic at 5,000-mile intervals.
Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover?
These oil 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. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2012–2019 Ford Explorer
- 20122.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package)
- 2013Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels
- 2014Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats
- 2015Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide
- 2016Major 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
- 2018–2019Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign
2012–2019 Ford Explorer oil: common questions
How many quarts of oil does a 2012–2019 Ford Explorer take?
- It depends on the engine. The 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 (naturally aspirated) takes 6 quarts; The 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (2012–2015) takes 5.7 quarts; The 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (2016–2019) takes 5.7 quarts; The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (Sport 2013–2019, Platinum 2016–2019) takes 6 quarts, all figures include a new filter.
What kind of oil does a 2012–2019 Ford Explorer take?
- 5W-20 meeting Ford WSS-M2C945-A (API SN / ILSAC GF-5). Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above.
Can you use a different viscosity in a 2012–2019 Ford Explorer?
- The factory specification is 5W-20 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice.
How often does a 2012–2019 Ford Explorer need an oil change?
- Per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, max 10,000 mi / 12 months; 5,000 mi typical for severe service. Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval.
What oil filter does a 2012–2019 Ford Explorer take?
- The OEM filter is Motorcraft FL-500S. Common equivalents: Fram XG500 (Ultra), Wix 57502, Purolator PL22500, K&N HP-7025.
Sources
- Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)
- NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis
- NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link
- NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment
- Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement
- Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment
- Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)
- Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)
- fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings
- WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11