---
title: "2012-2019 Ford Explorer Oil Type: 5W-20, 6 qt"
description: "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."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 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.

**Quick answer**: The 2012-2019 Ford Explorer (3.5L Ti-VCT V6 (naturally aspirated)) takes 5W-20 engine oil, 6 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter Motorcraft FL-500S). Other engines differ; see the tables below.

## 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 |

Note: 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 |

Note: 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 |

Note: 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) |

Note: 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.

- [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 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)](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 oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil).

## More for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer

- [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)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids)
- [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.