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 with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F55 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F50 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.5 8, FWD, 6F55 takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Limited, 2.0 9 takes 5W-30 (5.7 quarts with filter); the Limited, 3.5 8, AWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Limited, 3.5 8, FWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the XLT, 2.0 9 takes 5W-30 (5.7 quarts with filter); the XLT, 3.5 8, AWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the XLT, 3.5 8, FWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts 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. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on AmazonBuy 5W-20 motor oil on Amazon2012 Ford Explorer oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Explorer
2012 Ford Explorer factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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.
How much oil does a 2012 Ford Explorer take?
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.
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.