--- title: "Ford Explorer Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "How the Ford Explorer fluids specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 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/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # Ford Explorer Fluid Types and Capacities The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Ford Explorer fluids specification changed by year? | Model years | Transmission | Coolant | Brake | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2020-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids) | 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. | 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. | Motorcraft DOT 4 LV High Performance brake fluid | | [2012-2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids) | 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). | 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. | Motorcraft DOT 4 LV (later years; early cars list DOT 3. Check the reservoir cap) | ## Full specifications by generation The fluids on a Ford Explorer is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids) - [2012-2019 Ford Explorer Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids) ## Ford Explorer fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 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 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 Ford Explorer take? Motorcraft DOT 4 LV High Performance brake fluid. ### What differential fluid does a 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) ## Find your exact Explorer - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) More Ford Explorer guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.