2021 FORD EXPLORER recommended oil

Engine Coolant
Capacities
Quantity
Variant
15.2 qt (14.4 L)
Engine.
4.6 qt (4.4 L)
HEV low temperature cooling loop (battery
and electric motor electronics).
Materials Specification
Name
WSS-M97B57-A2
Motorcraft® Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/
Coolant(U.S.)
Motorcraft® Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant
/ Antigel/liquide de refroidissement prédilué jaune
Motorcraft®(Canada)
VC-13DL-G(U.S.)
CVC-13DL-G(Canada)
Engine Oil An oil that displays this symbol conforms
to current engine, emission system and
fuel economy performance standards of
ILSAC.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil for
your vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is not
available, use motor oils of the
recommended viscosity grade that meet
API SP requirements and display the API
Certification Mark for gasoline engines.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that your
vehicle warranty does not cover.
Capacities Including the Oil Filter
Variant
6.0 qt (5.7 L)
All.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142732

When the oil change message appears in
the information display, it is time for an oil
change. Make sure you perform the oil
change within two weeks or 500 mi
(800 km) of the message appearing. Make
sure you reset the Intelligent Oil-Life
Monitor after each oil change. See
Oil
Change Indicator Reset (page 327).
If your information display resets
prematurely or becomes inoperative, you
should perform the oil change interval at
six months or
5,000 mi (8,000 km) from
your last oil change. Never exceed one year
or
10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil
change intervals,
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built
with multiple, complex performance
systems. Every manufacturer develops
these systems using different
specifications and performance features.
That is why it is important to rely upon your
dealership to properly diagnose and repair
your vehicle.
We have recommended maintenance
intervals for various parts and component
systems based upon engineering testing.
We rely upon this testing to determine the
most appropriate mileage for replacement
of oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at
the lowest overall cost to you and
recommends against maintenance
schedules that deviate from the scheduled
maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of only
our genuine manufactured or our
authorized re-manufactured replacement
parts engineered for your vehicle. Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and our Workshop
Manual list the recommended additives
and chemicals for your vehicle. We do not
recommend using chemicals or additives
not approved by us as part of your vehicle
’s
normal maintenance. Please consult your
warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a
normal operating characteristic and, by
itself, does not necessarily indicate a
concern or that the fluid needs to be
changed. However, a qualified expert, such
as the factory-trained technicians at your
dealership, should inspect discolored fluids
that also show signs of overheating or
foreign material contamination
immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle ’s oils and
fluids at the specified intervals or in
conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a
viable way to change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are
flushed only with new fluid that is the same
as that required to fill and operate the
system or using our approved flushing
chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic
maintenance checks and inspections every
month or at six-month intervals.
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When to Expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Message
Vehicle Use and Example
Interval 1
Normal
7,500– 10,000 mi
(12,000– 16,000 km) Normal commuting with highway driving
No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads
No extended idling
Severe
5,000– 7,500 mi
(8,000– 12,000 km) Moderate to heavy load or towing
Mountainous or off-road conditions
Extended idling
Extended hot or cold operation
Extreme
3,000–5,000 mi
(4,800–8,000 km) Maximum load or towing
Extreme hot or cold operation
Extended engine idling
1 Hybrid vehicles may achieve longer distances between oil changes, but do not exceed
the 1 year maximum oil change interval. Remaining oil life can be accessed through the
information display. See Information Displays (page 112).
Normal Maintenance Intervals At Every Oil Change Interval as Indicated by the Information Display
1
Change the engine oil and filter. 2
Rotate the tires.
Perform a multi-point inspection, recommended.
Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the front axle.
Inspect the rear axle and U-joints.
Inspect the half-shaft boots.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

to require a fluid change if the vehicle has
experienced extended periods of extreme
or severe duty cycle driving. Changing or
checking the transfer case, front and/or
rear axle lubricant is not necessary unless
the unit has been submerged in water,
shows signs of leakage, a message
indicating required service displays.
Contact your authorized dealer for service.
California Fuel Filter Replacement
If you register your vehicle in California, the
California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item does not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
before the completion of your vehicle's
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however,
urges you to have all recommended
maintenance services performed at the
specified intervals and to record all vehicle
service.
Hot Climate Oil Change Intervals
Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or
locations with similar climates using an
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification
mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal
oil change interval is 5,000 mi (8,000 km).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not
available, then the oil change interval is
3,000 mi (4,800 km)
.
Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter
Replacement
The life of the engine air filter and cabin air
filter is dependent on exposure to dusty
and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in
these conditions require frequent
inspection and replacement of the engine
air filter and cabin air filter.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance