2012 Ford Explorer Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Ford Explorer oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2.0 9 takes 5W-30 (5.7 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F55 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F50 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F55 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Limited, 2.0 9 takes 5W-30 (5.7 quarts qt with filter); the Limited, 3.5 8, AWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Limited, 3.5 8, FWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the XLT, 2.0 9 takes 5W-30 (5.7 quarts qt with filter); the XLT, 3.5 8, AWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the XLT, 3.5 8, FWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2.0 9: 5W-30, 5.7 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F55: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F50: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F55: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Limited, 2.0 9: 5W-30, 5.7 quarts with filter
- Limited, 3.5 8, AWD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Limited, 3.5 8, FWD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- XLT, 2.0 9: 5W-30, 5.7 quarts with filter
- XLT, 3.5 8, AWD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- XLT, 3.5 8, FWD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2.0 9 — 2.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F55 — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F50 — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F55 — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Limited, 2.0 9 — 2.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Limited, 3.5 8, AWD — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Limited, 3.5 8, FWD — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| XLT, 2.0 9 — 2.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| XLT, 3.5 8, AWD — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| XLT, 3.5 8, FWD — 3.5L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic Motor Oil, or equivalent | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 2012 Ford Explorer
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Buy the right oil & filter for your Explorer
🛒 Buy 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil (5.7 quarts needed) on Amazon🛒 Buy 5W-20 Full Synthetic Oil (5.7 quarts needed) on Amazon💡 Capacity Note: Your 2012 Ford Explorer holds 5.7 quarts with filter. Since standard jugs are 5 quarts, be sure to pick up extra 1-quart bottles or a 2-pack to reach the full mark on the dipstick.
Popular Full Synthetic Brands (5W-30):
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Explorer
🛞 2012 Ford Explorer Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Ford Explorer Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Ford Explorer Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Ford Explorer Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
11.6 quarts (10.97 L) — MOTORCRAFT Specialty Green Engine Coolant (dark green-colored) or MOTORCRAFT Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Add the coolant type originally equipped in the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Ford Explorer take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2.0 9 uses 5W-30; Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 uses 5W-20; Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F55 uses 5W-20; Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F50 uses 5W-20; Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F55 uses 5W-20; Limited, 2.0 9 uses 5W-30; Limited, 3.5 8, AWD uses 5W-20; Limited, 3.5 8, FWD uses 5W-20; XLT, 2.0 9 uses 5W-30; XLT, 3.5 8, AWD uses 5W-20; XLT, 3.5 8, FWD uses 5W-20.
What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Ford Explorer?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2.0 9 holds 5.7 quarts with filter; Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F55 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F50 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F55 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Limited, 2.0 9 holds 5.7 quarts with filter; Limited, 3.5 8, AWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Limited, 3.5 8, FWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; XLT, 2.0 9 holds 5.7 quarts with filter; XLT, 3.5 8, AWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; XLT, 3.5 8, FWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Ford Explorer?
Most 2012 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 2012 Ford Explorer?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Ford Explorer. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.