2012 Ford Explorer Engine Oil Capacity
You’ll need 5.7 quarts of engine oil for a 2021 Ford Explorer with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, and 6.0 quarts for one with a 3.5L V6.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
For a 2012
Ford Explorer
with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, you’ll need 5.7 quarts of engine oil, and for one with a 3.5L V6, you’ll need 6.0 quarts.The 2012 Ford Explorer is a large crossover SUV with an equally large appetite for engine oil. Keeping the oil tank topped up might be messy and it might be a pain, but it's incredibly important. Failing to do so could result in decreased fuel economy, decreased performance, increased emissions, and, finally, significant engine damage.
Find out what type of oil you should use and how to change it in our guide to the 2012 Ford Explorer's engine oil capacity.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers2012 Ford Explorer engine oil capacity
The 2012 Ford Explorer comes with two powertrain options and two oil tank sizes. To properly lubricate a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, you'll need 5.7 quarts of engine oil. However, if you're packing a 3.5L V6, you'll need 6.0 quarts.
It's important to note that engine displacement isn't the same as oil tank capacity. The first, measured in liters, represents the amount of space the engine takes up under the car’s hood. The second, measured in quarts, represents the volume of the car’s oil tank.
Don't confuse the two—if you pour 6 liters of engine oil into the tank of a V6-equipped Explorer, you’re going to make a big mess!
What kind of oil does a 2012 Ford Explorer need?
Just like the amount of engine oil, the kind of engine oil demanded by your 2012 Explorer depends on its powertrain. Here’s a quick summary of what the
owner's manual
says:Engine | Engine oil |
|---|---|
2.0L EcoBoost | Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil |
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | |
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor Oil | |
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | |
3.5L V6 | Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 engine oil |
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Full Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | |
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Super Premium Motor Oil | |
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil |
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Ford recommends the use of
Motorcraft
engine oil because it’s been specially formulated for Ford vehicles and enhances engine performance and life. And because, you know, the Ford company owns it and it’s also generally a little more expensive. If you want to look for a generic option, here’s how to read the label on a container of engine oil.We’re going to take the recommendation for “SAE 5W-30” motor oil and break it into three parts:
- "SAE" indicates the oil’s viscosity using the rating system set by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Viscosity, or thickness, is the most important aspect of engine oil. You need to ensure that you get the right thickness of oil for your truck's lowest and highest operating temperatures.
- “5W” indicates the lowest temperature range at which the oil still performs its best. “W” stands for “winter” and “5” indicates a maximum cold operating temperature of -22°F. It’s one step below “0”, the “highest” cold rating, which indicates a maximum cold operating temperature of -31°F.
- “30” indicates the highest temperature range at which the oil still performs its best. SAE 30 oil is commonly used in North America where temperatures don’t exceed 30°C (86°F). However, if you shipped your F-150 to Nigeria, you’d probably have to switch to SAE 40 oil, which is good up to 104°F!
Last but not least, keep an eye out for the API Certification Seal, which resembles a black starburst. Seals from the American Petroleum Institute certify that products meet performance standards. You'll get the most out of your truck if you follow these recommendations.
How often to change the oil on a 2012 Ford Explorer
Changing your engine oil depends on a variety of factors, like how and where you use your car. If there’s one hard and fast rule, it’s to never go more than one year or 10,000 miles without an oil change. Here are some general guidelines:
- Change it every 7,500 to 10,000 miles of normal operation, like commuting on highways, traveling on moderate hills, idling for short periods, and transporting or towing moderate loads.
- Change it ever 5,000 to 7,500 miles of severe operation, including driving off-road, traveling mountainous roads, idling for long periods of time, operating in extreme heat or cold, and transporting or towing heavy loads.
- Change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you drive in extremely hot or cold conditions, or if you regularly tow or transport the maximum load.
For more precision, your best bet is to keep a close eye on your tank. Once a month or every time you refuel,
check your engine oil
. You should change it as soon as you notice any of these signs:- Motor oil that is dirty, dark brown, or black
- Oil that is coarse or gritty
- Unusual engine noises
- The smell of oil, smoke, or burning
- Performance changes in your car
To make things easier for you, the 2012 Ford Explorer comes equipped with an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM). When your dash displays CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON, you have 10% or less oil in the tank. When you see OIL CHANGE REQUIRED, you need to change your oil immediately.
How to change your oil and oil filter
You’ll need a lift or a jack and jack stands, ramps, several socket wrenches, a drain pan, and a filter wrench to perform a
Ford Explorer oil change
. Make sure you have the right oil filter (if you're replacing it) and at least six quarts of the right oil. Oh, and get into some old clothes—it’s really hard to get motor oil out of fabric.Once you’re ready, here’s what to do:
- Warm up your SUV for five minutes. Turn off the engine and remove the oil cap.
- Position the drip pan under the oil drain plug and remove the drain bolt. It should take about 15 minutes for the oil tank to drain. Replace the drain plug when you’re done.
- Lower the car.
- Pour at least 5.7 quarts of engine oil into the oil tank using a funnel.
- Remove the car from the lift or jack stands and replace the oil cap, turning it clockwise until you hear three clicks.
- Run your car for five minutes and check for leaks.
To continue using the IOLM, you’ll need to reset it. Push the “Start” button twice, then push one of the steering wheel navigation arrows until Display Mode appears. Navigate to Settings, then Vehicle Settings, and then Oil Life Reset. Push “OK”. Set the percentage of oil life left; if you’ve completely emptied and refilled the oil tank, you should select “100%”. Push “OK” and that’s it!
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