2021 Ford Explorer Oil Type & Capacity
The 2021 Ford Explorer oil type depends on the engine: the 2.3L takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the 3.3L takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the King Ranch, 4WD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the King Ranch, RWD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Limited Hybrid, 4WD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Limited Hybrid, RWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Limited, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Limited, RWD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Platinum Hybrid, 4WD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Platinum Hybrid, RWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Platinum, 4WD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Platinum, RWD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the ST takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the Timberline takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the XLT, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the XLT, RWD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2.3L: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
- 2.3L: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
- 3.3L: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- King Ranch, 4WD: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- King Ranch, RWD: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Limited Hybrid, 4WD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Limited Hybrid, RWD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Limited, 4WD: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Limited, RWD: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Platinum Hybrid, 4WD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Platinum Hybrid, RWD: 5W-20, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Platinum, 4WD: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Platinum, RWD: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- ST: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Timberline: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
- XLT, 4WD: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
- XLT, RWD: 5W-30, 5.2 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L — Base, 2.3L Eng VIN H, 4WD, 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| 2.3L — Base, 2.3L Eng VIN H, RWD, 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| 3.3L — 3.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| King Ranch, 4WD — 3.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| King Ranch, RWD — 3.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Limited Hybrid, 4WD — 3.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Limited Hybrid, RWD — 3.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Limited, 4WD — 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Limited, RWD — 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Platinum Hybrid, 4WD — 3.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Platinum Hybrid, RWD — 3.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Platinum, 4WD — 3.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Platinum, RWD — 3.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| ST — 3.0L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 6.00 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| Timberline — 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| XLT, 4WD — 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
| XLT, RWD — 2.3L Eng | MOTORCRAFT SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | 5.20 QTS. | — | To improve engine cold start performance use: MOTORCRAFT SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Explorer
🛞 2021 Ford Explorer Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2021 Ford Explorer Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2021 Ford Explorer Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2021 Ford Explorer Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
14.05 quarts (13.29 L) — MOTORCRAFT Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2021 Ford Explorer take?
It depends on the engine: 2.3L uses 5W-30; 3.3L uses 5W-20; King Ranch, 4WD uses 5W-30; King Ranch, RWD uses 5W-30; Limited Hybrid, 4WD uses 5W-20; Limited Hybrid, RWD uses 5W-20; Limited, 4WD uses 5W-30; Limited, RWD uses 5W-30; Platinum Hybrid, 4WD uses 5W-20; Platinum Hybrid, RWD uses 5W-20; Platinum, 4WD uses 5W-30; Platinum, RWD uses 5W-30; ST uses 5W-30; Timberline uses 5W-30; XLT, 4WD uses 5W-30; XLT, RWD uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 2021 Ford Explorer?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2.3L holds 5.2 quarts with filter; 3.3L holds 6.0 quarts with filter; King Ranch, 4WD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; King Ranch, RWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Limited Hybrid, 4WD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Limited Hybrid, RWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Limited, 4WD holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Limited, RWD holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Platinum Hybrid, 4WD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Platinum Hybrid, RWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Platinum, 4WD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Platinum, RWD holds 6.0 quarts with filter; ST holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Timberline holds 5.2 quarts with filter; XLT, 4WD holds 5.2 quarts with filter; XLT, RWD holds 5.2 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2021 Ford Explorer?
Most 2021 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 2021 Ford Explorer?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2021 Ford Explorer. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.