What type of oil change does my Ford Explorer need? It is recommended to use for Ford Explorer cars the appropriate API SN, API SP classification and approvals Ford WSS, with viscosity 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, 5W-30 or 10W-30.
Engine Oil For Ford Explorer Best Choice
Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic Oil 0W-20
- SAE: 0w-20
- API: SP, SN PLUS, SN
- ILSAC: GF-6
- ACEA: A1/B1, C5
- GM dexos1, GM 4718M, GM 6094M
- Ford WSS-M2C947-B1, WSS-M2C962-A1
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Ford Explorer Engine Oil Application Guide
What is the best engine oil for the Ford Explorer? We’ve created this guide to help you choose the right engine oil for your Ford Explorer car, depending on the car model generation, year of manufacture, and mileage of the Ford Explorer. Engine oil generally maintains a lubricating film between moving parts and better seals critical components of your engine, protecting engine parts from dirt, harmful deposits, and corrosion. We have created this guide to help you choose the best engine oil for the Ford Explorer.
Ford Explorer Oil Recommended by Manufacturer
To select the best engine oil for Ford, you have to choose an oil that meets the appropriate API SN, API SP classification, and approvals Ford WSS.
Top 5 Engine Oil for Ford Explorer
Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Oil 5W-20
The advanced antiwear additives in automotive engine oil Valvoline provide a thick, tough layer of antiwar film to help prevent engine damage.
Viscosity:
SAE: 5w-20
Specifications:
API: SP
ILSAC: GF-6A
Approvals:
GM dexos1 Gen 2, Chrysler MS-6395, Ford WSS-M2C961-A1
Ford Genuine Synthetic Blend Motor Oil 5W-30
Ford Motorcraft motor oil is manufactured with high-quality base oils that help minimize engine deposits and wear, protecting against high-temperature oxidation and turbocharger deposits, low temperature gelling, rust corrosion, and foaming.
Viscosity:
SAE: 5w-30
Specifications:
ILSAC: GF-5
Approvals:
Ford WSS-M2C946-A
Motul ECO-nergy 5W-30
Motul motor oil for passenger cars protects and cares for your vehicle throughout its entire service life.
Viscosity:
SAE: 5w-30
Specifications:
API: SL
ACEA: A5/B5
Approvals:
Ford WSS-M2C913-D, JAGUAR LAND ROVER STJLR.03.5003, RENAULT RN0700
Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic Motor Oil
For gasoline engines where a motor oil according to current specifications is required or recommended. Tested safe with catalytic converters and turbochargers.
Viscosity:
SAE: 0w-20, 5w-20, 5w-30
Specifications:
API: SN-R, SN PLUS
ILSAC: GF-5
Approvals:
Chrysler MS-6395, Ford WSS- WSS-M2C945-B1, GM dexos1™ Gen 2
Amsoil Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil
Precision-formulated with cutting-edge technology and a longstanding devotion to making the world’s best motor oil. 75 percent more engine protection against horsepower loss and wear than required by the industry standard, extending the life of vital components like pistons and cams.
Viscosity:
SAE: 5w-20
Specifications:
API: SP, SN PLUS, SN
ACEA: A1/B1
ILSAC: GF-6A, GF-5, GF-4
Approvals:
GM dexos1 Gen 2, Honda HTO-06, Ford WSS-M2C946-B1, WSS-M2C946-A, WSS-M2C929-A, Chrysler MS-6395
All our reviews are based only on expert assessments or practical experience with most of the oils we consider. We aim to ensure that our management is independent.
How To Choose Motor Oil For Ford Explorer?
- Choose oil according to Ford recommendations (should be indicated in the service book of your Ford Explorer car).
- Apply oil that is already used in your Ford Explorer engine (data must be entered in the service book).
- Choose oil according to the recommendations of engine oil producers and Ford tolerances, we have collected this information in this review.
The best engine oil for Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer engine oil 0w-20
For new Ford Explorer cars, for cars with less than 75,000 miles, we recommend to use engine oil viscosity API SN, API SP classification.
The best Ford Explorer motor oil 0w-20
Ford Explorer engine oil 0w-30
For new Ford Explorer cars, for cars with less than 75,000 miles, we recommend to use engine oil viscosity 0w-30, API SN, API SP classification.
The best Ford Explorer motor oil 0w-30
Ford Explorer engine oil 5w-20
For new Ford Explorer cars, for cars with less than 75,000 miles, we recommend to use engine oil viscosity 5w-20, API SN, API SP classification.
The best Ford Explorer motor oil 5w-20
Ford Explorer engine oil 5w-30
For new Ford Explorer cars, for cars with less than 100,000 miles, we recommend to use engine oil viscosity 5w-30, API SN, API SP classification.
The best Ford Explorer motor oil 5w-30
Approvals Ford Motor Oil
Ford WSS-M2C913-A
Engine oil, Initial and service fill, SAE 5W-30. This specification meets the ILSAC GF-2 and ACEA A1-98 and B1-98 and additional Ford requirements.
Ford WSS-M2C913-B
The Ford M2C913-B specification is released in Europe for initial fill engine oils used for lubrication of spark ignition engines using gasoline and for compression ignition engines using diesel fuels. The specification is also used to define engine oils for servicing Ford engines where applicable. The oil shall meet all the requirements of the ILSAC GF-2 and GF-3 specification, the ACEA A1-98, and B1-98 specification, and additional Ford requirements.
Ford WSS-M2C913-C
Fully backward compatible and is strongly recommended for all applications that currently require the specification Ford M2C913-B. The new engine oil provides various benefits to the customer such as improved fuel economy benefits and high robustness to biodiesel fuels.
Ford WSS-M2C913-D
Introduced in 2012, oils meeting this specification are recommended for all Ford diesel engines except Ford Ka TD Ci models manufactured before 2009 and Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI models manufactured between 2000 and 2006. A product meeting this specification is especially recommended for diesel engines where M2C913-B or M2C913-C oils were initially required. An oil meeting this specification must be used in Ford Transit vehicles manufactured from 2012 onward with Duratorq 2.2 engine. Oils meeting this specification can be used with extended oil change intervals and are also suitable to be used in engines running on biodiesel or high sulfur diesel.
Ford WSS-M2C917-A
Viscosity SAE 5W40 engine oil for pump injector diesel engines.
Ford WSS-M2C934-A
Extended drain engine oil for vehicles equipped with diesel particulate filter (DPF).
Ford WSS-M2C937-A
Special engine oil for Ford Focus RS. Viscosity should be SAE 0W-40.
Ford WSS-M2C948-B
Largely based on the ACEA C2 oil sequence this spec requires a low SAPS 5W20 oil and is primarily designed for the 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Contains in-house tests for fuel economy and piston deposit control. Oils meeting this spec must provide a 0.9% fuel economy improvement over regular 5W-20 oils.
Ford WSS-M2C950-A
Special engine oil for Ford Focus Diesel 2.0 manufactured from September 2014 and Ford Mondeo Diesel 2.0 manufactured from 2015. Viscosity should be SAE 0W-30.
Oil service volume for Ford Explorer
The amount and viscosity of engine oil depend on the generation of the Ford Explorer, the volume, and type of the engine, as well as the degree of its wear.
Ford Explorer Engine Oil Capacity
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 2.0 EcoBoost
Engine: EcoBoost, production year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.4
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 2.3 EcoBoost
Engine: EcoBoost, production year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.4
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 2.3 EcoBoost AWD
Engine: EcoBoost, production year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.4
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 V6
Engine: Duratec 35, production year: 2011. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 Ti-VCT V6
Engine: Ti-VCT, production year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 Ti-VCT V6
Engine: Ti-VCT, production year: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 V6 4×4
Engine: Duratec 35, production year: 2011. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 Ti-VCT V6 AWD
Engine: Ti-VCT, production year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 Ti-VCT V6 AWD
Engine: Ti-VCT, production year: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 EcoBoost V6 AWD
Engine: EcoBoost, production year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 3.5 EcoBoost V6 AWD
Engine: EcoBoost, production year: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Oil viscosity: 0w40, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 4.0 V6
Engine: Cologne V6, production year: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 5w20, 5w30, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 4.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 4.0 V6 4×4
Engine: Cologne V6, production year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 0w40, 5w30, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 4.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 4.6 V8
Engine: Triton V8, production year: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 5w20, 5w30, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 4.6 V8
Engine: Triton V8, production year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 0w40, 5w30, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer, motor volume: 4.6 V8 4×4
Engine: Triton V8, production year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Oil viscosity: 0w30, 0w40, 5w30, 5w40, 10w40, engine oil capacity: 5.7
Ford Explorer Generations
Ford Explorer 2020 (2020, 2021), 6 generation
The sixth-generation Explorer debuted for the 2020 model year.
Ford Explorer 2011 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), 5 generation
The fifth-generation Explorer featured a new unibody construction and a Terrain Management System. A new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine became available.
Ford Explorer 2006 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), 4 generation
For the 2006 model year, Ford introduced standard electronic stability control as well as a new 4.6-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Other interior refinements such as a power-folding third row seats also debuted.
Ford Explorer 2002 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005), 3 generation
The third-generation Explorer stretched longer and wider and featured a lower frame height. A new independent rear suspension was added to improve comfort. The new Explorer also featured a new V8 engine, an industry-first third row and rear entertainment.
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