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 with filter); the 2.3L takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts with filter); the 3.3L takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the King Ranch, 4WD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the King Ranch, RWD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Limited Hybrid, 4WD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Limited Hybrid, RWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Limited, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts with filter); the Limited, RWD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts with filter); the Platinum Hybrid, 4WD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Platinum Hybrid, RWD takes 5W-20 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Platinum, 4WD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Platinum, RWD takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the ST takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Timberline takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts with filter); the XLT, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts with filter); the XLT, RWD takes 5W-30 (5.2 quarts 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 — 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 — 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. |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on AmazonBuy 5W-20 motor oil on Amazon2021 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
2021 Ford Explorer factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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; 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.
How much oil does a 2021 Ford Explorer take?
Capacity depends on the engine: 2.3L holds 5.2 quarts with filter; 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.
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.