Taking your car in for an oil change can get old quickly, but you don’t want to forgo this essential piece of car maintenance. If you’d like to avoid the hassle of going to the dealership and save money on car expenses, you can learn to change your oil in the comfort of your garage.

However, before you can change your oil, you'll need to know how much is required to fully fill the reservoir—that’s where

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has put together the following article explaining everything you need to know about the oil capacity of a 2020 Ford Explorer (with some tips for saving big on your

Ford Explorer insurance cost

down below).

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2020 Ford Explorer engine oil capacity

The 2.3L 4-cylinder engine in a 2020 Ford Explorer has an oil capacity of 5.2 quarts—or roughly 4.9 liters—of motor oil. Memorize this number to avoid over- or under-filling your Ford’s oil reservoir.

Note that this number doesn’t match the 2.3-liter engine displacement listed with your car’s model. Engine displacement and oil capacity are not the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably.

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

What kind of oil does the 2020 Ford Explorer need?

A 5W-30 full synthetic motor oil is required for a 2020 Ford Explorer. Though it may just look like a random string of numbers, this rating actually offers important details about the viscosity (thickness) of the oil at various temperatures.

The oil's winter rating, or how well it handles extremely cold temperatures, is represented by the first number (in this case, "5"). The lower the number, the lower the viscosity will be.

The "30," on the other hand, tells us how thick the oil will be at the engine’s normal operating temperature of at least 212°F. Even in such extreme conditions, oil with a rating of "30" will continue to be relatively thin for your Explorer.

Consider trying one of the choices listed below if you need assistance choosing a brand of oil rated as 5W-30:

What’s recommended:

Motorcraft® SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Second-best:

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30

For higher mileage vehicles:

Mobil 1 - High Mileage SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil

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How to test an oil pump

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How often to change the oil on a 2020 Ford Explorer

Ford's routine

car maintenance schedule

suggests changing your motor oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or roughly twice a year, to maintain the health of your engine.

This recommendation is based on typical driving habits and conditions, so you might need to change your oil more often if you drive more than the average person, use your vehicle only for short trips, or regularly drive on dirt roads.

Furthermore, you should check your oil at least once a month before you reach the suggested intervals to reduce the risk of unintentionally damaging your engine.

There are some signs to look out for that indicate your oil may need a change early, including:

Your Ford's performance has declined

The engine has a burning, smoky, or oily odor

The

engine oil is gritty

or grainy to the touch

The color of the engine oil has changed from amber to dark brown or black

The engine starts to make unusual noises

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you decide to change your own oil and oil filter at home, you'll need 5.5 quarts of full-synthetic 5W-30 motor oil and a fresh filter—but you'll also need an oil drain pan, a socket wrench, and a filter wrench.

When you have all the required equipment, start your car and let it run for a few minutes until the engine reaches standard operating temperature. As long as conditions are normal, this shouldn't take more than four or five minutes.

Turn off the engine once it reaches the proper operating temperature, open the hood, and follow these steps:

Find the oil reservoir, then unscrew the oil cap.

Situate your drain pan directly below the drain hole, where the oil will come out. Remove the drain bolt and washer using your socket wrench. The old oil will begin gushing out, so be prepared.

Take out the old oil filter with your filter wrench as the oil finishes draining.

Put in a fresh oil filter.

Once all the oil has drained, swap out the bolt and install a new washer. The required tightness will be listed in your owner’s manual.

Pour in the clean oil, then re-screw on the cap.

After adding fresh oil, use a dipstick to measure the level of oil to ensure that enough has been added. If the oil reaches the “MAX fill” line, restart your car and let it run for a while. Once the engine has warmed, carefully check for leaks.

If you follow these instructions, the

oil pressure light

on your Ford should turn off automatically.

Finally, you must safely dispose of the old engine oil. You should never throw used engine oil in the trash or dump it on the ground—instead, pour it into a closed container and take it to a recycling center or a participating auto parts store.

MORE:

How to build a custom Ford Explorer

How to find cheap car insurance

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