lives up to its name, featuring sporty interior and exterior design elements, a sport-tuned suspension, and terrain management response. To keep your Explorer performing at its best, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity.

One of the easiest ways to make your car last longer is to keep up with regular maintenance, like oil changes. If you want to save money by changing your own oil, you need to know how much oil your Explorer needs and what kind of oil you should use.

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2018 Ford Explorer Sport engine oil capacity

So how much oil does a 2018 Ford Explorer Sport need?

The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine in the 2016 Explorer Sport holds 6 quarts of oil. But don't get things mixed up 3.5-liters refers to the engine's displacement, not its oil capacity!

Displacement is the amount of air and fuel that one cylinder of an engine moves during one cycle. On the other hand, the oil capacity is how much oil the engine can hold to keep it clean and well-oiled.

These numbers mean different things, so it's important to know the difference between them so you don't over or underfill your engine.

What kind of oil does a 2018 Ford Explorer Sport need?

It's not enough to know how much oil the 3.5L engine in your 2018 Ford Explorer Sport can hold—you also need to know what kind of oil to use. After all, putting the wrong oil in your car can cause expensive damage to the engine.

For better gas mileage, Ford says that SAE 5W-20 oil is the best choice. Specifically, Ford recommends using

Motorcraft® SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

in your engine.

In these oil types, the "5" before the "W" (which stands for "winter") refers to the viscosity when the engine is "cold" before ignition. The number following the dash—"20" in this case—refers to how thin the oil is while the engine is hot and running.

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How often to change oil on a 2018 Ford Explorer Sport

So now you know what sort of oil and how much your 2018 Ford Explorer Sport requires. But how frequently do you have to change it?

It depends on a number of factors, including the type of oil you're using and your regular driving circumstances. Ford suggests replacing the engine oil every 3,000-5,000 miles, or about every six months.

Because the frequency with which you should replace your oil varies so greatly, it's a good idea to check your oil regularly (once a month or so) to see how it's doing. If you observe any of these symptoms, it may be time to change your oil.

Low engine oil levels

Engine oil that has turned a darker color or feels grainy

Your engine is making

strange new noises

Burning or oily smells coming from the engine

Worsened engine performance

Your car's

check engine light

is on

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Car Loan for Ford 2022

How to change your oil and oil filter

Are you ready to change your oil? Let's get started!

Gather your tools—you’ll need a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a replacement filter, and a rag. Don't forget to bring your SAE 5W-20 engine oil!

Begin by parking your car on a level surface and allowing the engine to warm up to its normal operating temperature. After a few minutes, turn off the engine, open the hood, and perform these steps:

Remove the oil drain plug with the socket wrench from under the engine

Remove the old oil filter with the filter wrench and let any excess oil drain out

Clean the filter's surface before screwing in the new one

Replace the oil drain bolt and tighten it to 20 lb-ft.

Pour the new oil in the engine and replace the fill cap

And you're finished! You've saved yourself a trip to the mechanic as well as a good chunk of money. Be sure to check the oil level in your engine with a dipstick, then run it to look for leaks.

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.

Your final step should be to clean up! You should never discard old, contaminated oil on the ground or in the trash. Put the used oil in a sealed container and take it to a recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

As a car owner, you understand how important it is to change the engine oil in your Ford Explorer on a regular basis. Reviewing your

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