---
title: "2020-2025 Ford Explorer Transmission Fluid & Coolant"
description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 10R60 10-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon ULV (XT-12-QULV). Sealed unit, no dipstick; total fill ~11 qt, drain-and-fill ~5 qt with level set at the check plug. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (much sooner for towing/police duty). Hybrid uses the modular-hybrid version of the 10-speed, same ULV fluid.. Coolant: Motorcraft Yellow prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-13DL-G). ~18 qt system on the 3.0L; hybrid has a separate electronics cooling loop. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr.."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2020-2025 Ford Explorer Fluid Types and Capacities

Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 10R60 10-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon ULV (XT-12-QULV). Sealed unit, no dipstick; total fill ~11 qt, drain-and-fill ~5 qt with level set at the check plug. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (much sooner for towing/police duty). Hybrid uses the modular-hybrid version of the 10-speed, same ULV fluid.. Coolant: Motorcraft Yellow prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-13DL-G). ~18 qt system on the 3.0L; hybrid has a separate electronics cooling loop. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr..

## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer fluid guide (High confidence)

| System | Fluid type & capacity |
| --- | --- |
| Coolant | Motorcraft Yellow prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-13DL-G). ~18 qt system on the 3.0L; hybrid has a separate electronics cooling loop. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr. |
| Transmission | 10R60 10-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon ULV (XT-12-QULV). Sealed unit, no dipstick; total fill ~11 qt, drain-and-fill ~5 qt with level set at the check plug. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (much sooner for towing/police duty). Hybrid uses the modular-hybrid version of the 10-speed, same ULV fluid. |
| Brake fluid | Motorcraft DOT 4 LV High Performance brake fluid |
| Power steering | None (electric power steering) |
| Differential | Rear axle: SAE 75W-85 premium synthetic (Motorcraft XY-75W85-QL), ~1 qt. Front axle/PTU on AWD: check the 4WD supplement, severe duty benefits from 60k changes. |

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 2020 through 2025, the U625 (6th generation), mid-size 3-row suv (rwd-based cd6 platform, rwd/awd; 2025 refresh). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2020 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020)
- [2021 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021)
- [2022 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022)
- [2023 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023)
- [2024 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024)
- [2025 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025)

## What changed during the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2020 | Generation launch on RWD-based CD6 platform; 10-speed automatic across the board; hybrid and 400-hp ST debut; rocky launch quality (see common problems) |
| 2021 | King Ranch and off-road-flavored Timberline (265/65R18 ATs, full-size spare) added; Platinum keeps 365-hp 3.0L |
| 2022 | ST-Line (ST looks, 2.3L) added; ST available RWD; 3.0L Platinum/King Ranch rated 400 hp |
| 2024 | Carryover; final year for the 3.3L hybrid and King Ranch/Timberline/Limited trims |
| 2025 | Major refresh: new fascias, new interior with 13.2-in SYNC 4A touchscreen, trims consolidated to Active/ST-Line/Platinum/ST; hybrid dropped; 2.3L switches to FL-2127 oil filter (~5.0 qt) |

## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer fluids: common questions

### What transmission fluid does a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer take?

10R60 10-speed automatic: Motorcraft Mercon ULV (XT-12-QULV). Sealed unit, no dipstick; total fill ~11 qt, drain-and-fill ~5 qt with level set at the check plug. Ford schedule: change at 150,000 mi (much sooner for towing/police duty). Hybrid uses the modular-hybrid version of the 10-speed, same ULV fluid.. 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 2020-2025 Ford Explorer use?

Motorcraft Yellow prediluted antifreeze/coolant (VC-13DL-G). ~18 qt system on the 3.0L; hybrid has a separate electronics cooling loop. First change 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr..

### What brake fluid does a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer take?

Motorcraft DOT 4 LV High Performance brake fluid.

### What differential fluid does a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer take?

Rear axle: SAE 75W-85 premium synthetic (Motorcraft XY-75W85-QL), ~1 qt. Front axle/PTU on AWD: check the 4WD supplement, severe duty benefits from 60k changes..

## 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)

## Other Ford Explorer generations

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

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

## More for the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/brakes)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.