1996 Ford Explorer Oil Type & Capacity
The 1996 Ford Explorer oil type depends on the engine: the 2D Utility, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 2D Utility, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 2D Utility, AWD takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 2D Utility, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 2D Utility, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 4.0 X, AWD takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 5.0 P, AWD takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4D Utility, 5.0 P, RWD takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2D Utility, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 2D Utility, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 2D Utility, AWD: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 2D Utility, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 2D Utility, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 4.0 X, AWD: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 5.0 P, AWD: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4D Utility, 5.0 P, RWD: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2D Utility, 4WD, Automatic — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 2D Utility, 4WD, Standard — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 2D Utility, AWD — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 2D Utility, RWD, Automatic — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 2D Utility, RWD, Standard — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Automatic — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Standard — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 4.0 X, AWD — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Automatic — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Standard — 4.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 Super Premium (Below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 Super Premium (0Deg.F to 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 5.0 P, AWD — 5.0L Eng | SAE 10W-30 Super Premium Engine Oil | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| 4D Utility, 5.0 P, RWD — 5.0L Eng | SAE 10W-30 Super Premium Engine Oil | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Explorer
🛞 1996 Ford Explorer Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1996 Ford Explorer Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1996 Ford Explorer Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1996 Ford Explorer Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
8.6 quarts (8.13 L) — 50/50 mixture of FORD Premium Cooling System Fluid and water. DO NOT use FORD Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange color).
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1996 Ford Explorer take?
It depends on the engine: 2D Utility, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 2D Utility, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; 2D Utility, AWD uses 5W-30; 2D Utility, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 2D Utility, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, AWD uses 5W-30; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; 4D Utility, 5.0 P, AWD uses 10W-30; 4D Utility, 5.0 P, RWD uses 10W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1996 Ford Explorer?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2D Utility, 4WD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 2D Utility, 4WD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 2D Utility, AWD holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 2D Utility, RWD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 2D Utility, RWD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, 4WD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, AWD holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 4.0 X, RWD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 5.0 P, AWD holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4D Utility, 5.0 P, RWD holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1996 Ford Explorer?
Most 1996 Ford Explorer owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Ford recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1996 Ford Explorer?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1996 Ford Explorer. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.