The 2017 Ford Explorer has an engine oil capacity of 6 quarts. It’s an attractive option for larger families with seating for up to seven passengers. You can change your oil at home to cut down on expenses and keep your Ford Explorer running—but you’ll need to know how and when to add or change the oil.

The Ford Explorer is known to be a reliable vehicle, but its reputation for reliability only goes so far on its own. To keep it running in tip-top shape, you have to invest some time and a little money into routine maintenance. You also need to make sure you have the right amount of oil, and the numbers can get confusing without a little help.

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison shopping super app, is here with a guide to your 2017 Ford Explorer’s engine oil capacity and oil type, plus an easy way to lower your

Ford Explorer car insurance costs

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2017 Ford Explorer engine oil capacity

To get right down to business, let’s first answer the question: What is the 2017 Ford Explorer’s engine oil capacity?

To keep your Ford Explorer’s 3.5-liter V6 running smooth and steady, you’ll need 6 quarts of engine oil. Of course, your vehicle can operate within a range that’s indicated on your oil tank’s dipstick, which you should check with about every other gasoline fill-up. However, you’ll want to stick to 6 full quarts when you change your oil.

What kind of oil does a 2017 Ford Explorer need?

When you do need to add a little engine oil, or you’re ready to take on an

oil and filter change

, you want to make sure you’ve got the right product on hand. Engine oils are not interchangeable. There are many different varieties and viscosities, and for the 2017 Ford Explorer, Ford Motor Company recommends Motorcraft® SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. It’s really important to use Ford’s recommendation if at all possible. However, if you’re in a pinch, you could use a different full synthetic SAE 5W-20.

If you’re not familiar with the way engine oil types are classified, here’s a little rundown for you:

SAE means safe for all engines.

The W stands for winter. A smaller number, like 5, before the W indicates a low viscosity in cold temperatures.

The 20 tells us the viscosity level at the engine’s normal running temperature, and 20 indicates a fairly thin viscosity.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2017 Ford Explorer

Now that you know what kind of oil to get and how much of it you’ll need, it’s time to change your oil!

Ford Motor Company says you need to change your Explorer’s engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

. However, this number might be less if you have towed something heavy for a considerable distance or gone off-roading. Driving your vehicle harder and routinely putting it up to more work than the average drive means you’ll need to change your oil—and probably perform other maintenance services—more often.

Besides monitoring our mileage, you’ll want to regularly check your engine oil. Aim to do it once a month, or every other time you fill-up the gas tank. Inspect the oil on your dipstick for these hints that it might be time for a change:

Your motor oil looks more like cola than a cup of tea. Dark black or dark brown engine oil means it’s dirty and probably time for a change. Your engine oil should be a light brown or amber color.

Your engine oil feels gritty.

Your car doesn’t drive or sound the same as usual. If you notice an unusual noise from the engine or a change in performance, it might be time for an oil change.

If you notice unusual smells like oil or burning, it could indicate you need an oil change.

MORE: Ford Explorer XLT towing capacity

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’re ready to take on changing your engine oil, we’ve got your how-to guide.

First, gather the materials. You’ll need 6 quarts of Motorcraft® SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. You’ll also need a filter wrench, a drain pan, a socket wrench, a replacement filter, and a new oil drain plug gasket.

First, start your engine and leave it running for five minutes to get it up to its normal operating temperature. Then, turn off the ignition, open your hood, and complete the steps below:

Unscrew the oil fill cap and set it aside so you won’t lose it.

Crawl underneath your engine and remove the old oil drain bolt and gasket, allowing the old oil to drain into your oil pan.

Take out the old oil filter and let the old oil finish draining out.

Install the new oil filter.

Put the oil drain bolt back in using your new oil drain plug gasket and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Add your 6 quarts of new oil and put the oil fill cap back on.

You can check your new oil with the dipstick to make sure you added enough. Then, you’ll want to start your ignition and run the engine for a bit—long enough to check for any leaks and to make sure your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

is off.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Once you’re done, it’s time to clean up. You can put your old engine oil in a sealed container and take it to a recycling center, which you can find at many parts stores and service centers. You mustn’t dump your dirty oil on the ground or throw it in the garbage. It needs to be properly disposed of at a recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Changing your Ford Explorer's oil can save you some time and money. And most of all, you can save money in the long term by keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule.

Another way to save on your car’s expenses is by comparison shopping for car insurance. Experts recommend you shop for car insurance policies every six months because your rates can fluctuate quickly and other providers might have big savings in store for you.

The easiest way to comparison shop for car insurance is with the

Jerry

app! Jerry is a

trustworthy insurance shopping super app

that makes buying the right coverage fast, easy, and hassle-free. All you need to do is answer a few basic questions about yourself and your car. Then, Jerry does all the work.

Jerry will retrieve a set of competitive car insurance quotes from its network of 55+ top providers. When you find the policy you like, switching over in the Jerry app is easy. They’ll handle all the legwork and paperwork for you!

“I was nervous to buy insurance for my first car because I had heard horror stories about the insurance prices in New York. After not even two minutes, I found four quotes from
Jerry
under $125/month. By the end of the night, I was on the road safe and insured!” —Reuben R.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™

Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.

Try GarageGuard™