2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L Oil Capacity
A 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L has an engine oil capacity of 6 quarts (roughly 5.7 liters) and uses full-synthetic 5W-30 motor oil—click here to learn more.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Your 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L has a total engine oil capacity of 6 quarts, or roughly 5.7 liters, and requires full-synthetic 5W-20 motor oil.
Regular oil changes are one of the simplest ways to keep your Ford's engine in good working order; however, the cost can quickly add up if you hire someone to do it for you. Fortunately, changing your own engine oil is one of the more manageable parts of car maintenance and can save you several hundred dollars a year on expenses related to your car.
Before you can change your oil, however, you’ll need to know how much is necessary to fill the reservoir. That’s why
car insurance
super app Jerry
has put together the following article. Here we will break down everything you need to know about your Ford’s oil capacity, how to change the oil, and even how to find lower 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L car insurance costs
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2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L engine oil capacity
You should be cautious not to overfill or underfill the oil reservoir on your Ford by being aware of its oil capacity—a 2017 Ford Explorer's 3.5L V6 engine can hold 6 quarts, or roughly 5.7 liters, of oil in total.
This number and the
engine's displacement
, or the 3.5L volume that the engine's cylinders occupy, are not the same thing. Make sure not to confuse the two, as only adding 3.5 liters can seriously damage your engine!What kind of oil does the 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L need?
A full-synthetic motor oil with a 5W-20 rating is required for a 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L—and while this may seem like a random string of numbers, this rating offers important details about the oil's viscosity at various temperatures.
The first number (in this case, "5") represents the oil's winter rating, or how it handles extremely cold temperatures—the lower the number, the lower the viscosity.
The "20" on the other hand, indicates how the oil reacts when exposed to incredibly high temperatures above 212°F, or the normal operating temperature of an engine. Any oil with a "20" rating will be thin, but thick enough to protect the engine even at these very high temperatures.
If you require help selecting a brand of oil rated as 5W-20, consider trying one of the options listed below:
MORE:
How to test an oil pump
How often to change the oil on a 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5L
To keep your engine healthy, Ford advises changing your motor oil as part of your
basic car maintenance schedule
every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or approximately twice a year.This recommendation is based on normal driving conditions, so if you drive more often than the average person, regularly take short trips, or frequently use dirt roads, you might have to change your oil more frequently.
To lessen the possibility of unintentionally damaging your engine, you should check your oil at least once a month before you reach the recommended intervals.
There are some signs to look out for that indicate your oil may need a change early, including:
- A noticeable drop in your Ford’s performance
- The engine smells smoky, oily, or as though it is burning
- The oil feels grainy to the touch or becomes gritty
- Engine oil has changed from amber to dark brown or black
- You start hearing abnormal engine noises
How to change your oil and oil filter
Should you choose to perform your own 2017 Ford Explorer 3.5-L engine
oil and filter change
at home, you’ll need six quarts of full-synthetic 5W-20 motor oil and a new filter—but you’ll also need an oil drain pan, a socket wrench, and a filter wrench. Once you have all the necessary tools, start your vehicle and then wait a couple of minutes while it runs until the engine reaches normal operating temperatures. In most cases, this shouldn't take more than four to five minutes.
When the engine is at the right temperature, turn it off, open the hood, and perform the following:
- Find the oil reservoir and unscrew the oil cap
- Aim to position your drain pan directly below the oil reservoir drain hole. The socket wrench can be used to remove the drain bolt and washer. Allow the old oil to drain into the pan
- As you wait for the oil to drain completely, remove the old oil filter with your filter wrench
- Install a new oil filter
- After the oil has been completely drained, swap out the bolt and install a new washer. Consult your owner's manual to find out what the recommended tightness is
- Add clean oil to the reservoir and replace the cap
After adding new oil, use a dipstick to check the level and verify that enough was added. If the level is good, start your car once more and let it run for a few minutes. When the engine has warmed, carefully inspect for leaks.
So long as you stick to the aforementioned instructions, your Ford’s
oil pressure light
should automatically switch off.Finally, you will need to properly dispose of the used engine oil—it’s not a good idea to dump used oil in the trash and you should never dump it on the ground, either. What you’ll want to do instead is empty it into a sealed container and bring it to a recycling center or participating auto parts store.
How to find cheap car insurance
One of the simplest ways to
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