If you’re hoping to keep your 2018 Ford Explorer around for the long haul, you’ll need to stay on top of routine maintenance like oil changes—and if you are taking care of that yourself, you’ll need to know your engine oil capacity.

Many car owners can take care of their own oil changes, which is a pretty effective way to

save time and money on car expenses

. But to do it the right way, you’ll need to know what kind of oil your 2018 Ford Explorer needs—and how much.

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2018 Ford Explorer engine oil capacity

Your 2018 Ford Explorer’s engine oil capacity depends on what type of engine it has.

Vehicles can come with various engine options even within the same make and model year. If you’re not sure what kind of engine yours has, there are a few places you can check to find out:

Your owner’s manual

Your

VIN

Your vehicle purchase or registration documents

The label on your driver’s side door jamb

The engine itself

Once you know what kind of engine you’re working with, you can check your owner’s manual to find out its oil capacity.

The 2018 Ford Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine has an oil capacity of 5.7 quarts, or 5.4 liters. The 3.5L EcoBoost and 3.5L Duratec engine has an engine oil capacity of 6 quarts, or 5.7 liters.

MORE:

Can you add oil to a hot engine?

What kind of oil does a 2018 Ford Explorer need?

Your engine oil type is another factor that might vary depending on your engine type, which you can also find in your owner’s manual.

The required oil type for 2.3L and 3.5L EcoBoost engines is SAE 5W-30 premium synthetic blend motor oil. The 3.5L Duratec engine requires SAE 5W-20 premium synthetic blend motor oil.

Using the first oil type as an example, here’s a breakdown of what that means. The “5” refers to the oil’s viscosity or thickness at colder temperatures before your engine has started, while the “30” refers to its viscosity at normal engine operating temperatures. “SAE” is just an acronym for the Society of Automotive Engineers, which oversees engine oil viscosity grades.

Does brand matter? Ford recommends opting for Motorcraft as a first choice, but most important is choosing an oil with the correct viscosity and an American Petroleum Institute (API) certification seal.

Ford’s first pick: To follow Ford’s recommendations to the letter, opt for

Motorcraft engine oil

MORE:

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How often to change oil on a 2018 Ford Explorer

When using conventional oil, it’s generally recommended to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months. However, if you’re using a fully synthetic engine oil, you could go as long as 7,500 to 10,000 miles before needing an oil change.

When you actually need to change your oil might also vary depending on what kinds of driving conditions your Ford tackles. For example, if you frequently find yourself on dusty roads, in stop-and-go traffic, or driving up steep inclines, you might need to change your engine oil sooner than you would otherwise.

Since there can be so much room for variation, it’s a good idea to check your engine oil regularly. Car experts recommend doing so about once a month or when you’re refueling.

If it’s time to change your 2018 Ford Explorer’s engine oil, here are some signs you might notice:

Dark engine oil (fresh engine oil is light brown)

Engine oil has a gritty texture

Burning or oil smells coming from the engine

Weird

engine noises

Worsened engine performance

MORE:

How to build a custom Ford Explorer

How to change your oil and oil filter

When it’s officially time to

change your oil

on your 2018 Ford Explorer, you’ll need a few supplies before you can get the task underway. Those include:

A socket wrench

An oil filter wrench (tool used for removing oil filters)

New oil filter

Fresh engine oil

New washer for your drain bolt

Drain pan

Towel(s) for cleanup

Another consideration before you get started is to have a plan to dispose of your old engine oil properly. Because it’s a hazardous material, you shouldn’t just dump it down your drain or throw it out with the rest of your trash. Most cities have drop-off locations for recycling used engine oil, as do some auto shops and car dealerships.

Once you’ve got that figured out, these are the general steps involved with an oil change:

Let your engine run a few minutes, then turn it off—this lets the engine oil heat up, making it easier to drain

Under the hood of your Explorer, remove the oil fill cap

Underneath the vehicle, remove the drain bolt and washer and let the engine oil empty into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with the new one

Once the oil has finished draining, replace the drain bolt with a new washer

Add fresh oil to the proper fill level and replace your oil fill cap

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.

Finally, you can let your engine run for a few minutes, give it five to ten minutes to cool off, then recheck the engine oil level to ensure it’s still where it should be, topping it off as needed.

MORE:

9 questions to ask when comparing car insurance quotes

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

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