Ford Explorer Quiz
Maintenance

Engine Oil Check

In this manual: Maintenance
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
15steps
~90min
4/5difficulty
Done 0 of 15

To accurately and consistently check the engine oil level, perform the following:

  1. Make sure the parking brake is applied. Make sure the transmission is in Park (P) or Neutral (N).
  2. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
  3. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
  4. Turn off the engine and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan. Checking the engine oil level too soon after turning off the engine may result in an inaccurate reading.
  5. Open the hood. Refer to Opening and Closing the Hood.
  6. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a clean, lint-free cloth. Refer to Under Hood Overview below.
  7. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil level. Refer to Under Hood Overview below.
  8. Make sure the oil level is between the maximum and minimum marks. If the oil level is at the minimum mark, add oil immediately. Refer to Capacities and Specifications.
  9. If the oil level is within the normal range, reinsert the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.

Adding Engine Oil

Do not add engine oil additives. They are not needed and may cause engine damage that is not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Use only oils certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for gasoline engines. Oil bearing this symbol meets current engine protection and emissions standards and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricants Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC).

To add engine oil, perform the following:

  1. Clean the area around the engine oil fill cap before removing it.
  2. Remove the engine oil fill cap. Refer to Under Hood Overview. Turn it counterclockwise and remove it.
  3. Add engine oil that meets our Specifications. Refer to Capacities and Specifications. You may need to use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
  4. Recheck the oil level.
  5. If the oil level is within the normal range, reinsert the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
  6. Install the engine oil filler cap. Turn it clockwise until you feel strong resistance.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Explorer quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.