U.S. vehicle reference
2011 Ford Explorer Oil Capacity and Oil Type by Engine
The 2011 Ford Explorer takes 6 quarts of SAE 5W-20 (3.5L), according to the Ford owner's manual.
Quoted from the Ford owner's manual with page numbers. Figures online often conflict because they mix engines or with- and without-filter amounts, so match your engine first.
Compiled by Uzman Munib · Record updated · Source and review standards
2011 Ford Explorer oil capacity and oil type by engine
US quarts by engine, quoted from the Ford owner's manual with the page for each figure. Coverage is limited to the named configurations.
| Engine | Oil capacity | Oil grade | Without filter change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V63.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD, 3.5L V6 S6 automatic FWD, 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic 4WD, 3.5L V6 S6 automatic 4WD | 6 US qt(filter basis not stated) | SAE 5W-20 | Not stated | 2011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Engine oil quantity, PDF p. 413Source noteQuantity from the Maintenance Product Specifications and Capacities table, PDF p. 413. The table does not say whether the figure includes a filter change, so no capacity basis is given. Check the dipstick after filling. Checked 2026-10-10. Market: U.S. and Canada. |
Explorer oil capacity in other years
At a glance
2011 Ford Explorer reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
Engine oil capacity
6 qt (filter basis not stated)
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10OE tire size
Not published
Wheel torque
Not published
2011 Ford Explorer Oil Capacity and Oil Type
Oil capacity
6 qt (filter basis not stated)
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10Oil specification
WSS-M2C930-A (API Certification Mark)
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10Oil filter
Not published
Fluids
Transmission capacity
Not published
Transmission fluid
Motorcraft MERCON/H23041LV ATF4 XT-10-QLV (MERCON LV)
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10Coolant capacity
12.2 qt
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10Coolant type
Motorcraft Specialty Orange or Specialty Green Engine Coolant; add the type originally equipped (table footnote 1)
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10Brake fluid
Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid
Source
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer referencesAccessed 2026-10-10Power steering fluid
Not published
Differential fluid
Not published
2011 Ford Explorer Towing Capacity
Towing capacity
Not published
Payload capacity
Not published
3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD manufacturer references
2011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Maintenance product specifications and capacities, PDF p. 412 Accessed 2026-10-102011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Engine oil, transmission fluid and axle fluids, PDF p. 413 Accessed 2026-10-102011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Fuel tank and footnotes, PDF p. 414 Accessed 2026-10-102011 Ford Explorer MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 19 to 20 mpg across 4 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Configuration / engine | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD3.5L 6-cylinder · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular GasolineEPA configuration record | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444.35 g/mi |
| Explorer FWD3.5L 6-cylinder · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular GasolineEPA configuration record | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444.35 g/mi |
| Explorer 4WD3.5L 6-cylinder · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · Regular GasolineEPA configuration record | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,250 | 467.7368421052632 g/mi |
| Explorer 4WD3.5L 6-cylinder · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · Regular GasolineEPA configuration record | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,250 | 467.7368421052632 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2011 Ford Explorer annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 3.5L 6-cylinder, Automatic 6-spd, Front-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile. For a specific journey, budget a road trip and settle passenger shares.
2011 Ford Explorer recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 8 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 19V435000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
WHEELS:HUB · 17E048000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · 15V171000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
STEERING · 14E001000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain replacement steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers as service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The affected gears may lock, preventing the driver from being able to steer the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering gears with new steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 13S14.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 14V286000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
SEATS · 11V063000
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 21V746000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · 24V031000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
2011 Ford Explorer NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Ford Explorer SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2011 Ford Explorer SUV FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Confirm the engine, tire package and service procedure
Match your engine and transmission with the configuration selector. Check the door-jamb tire label for your installed wheel package and cold pressure. A capacity is not a substitute for the filling procedure in the owner's manual; transmission change quantities and total system capacities can describe different jobs.
Fields marked Not published have no compiled value here. They do not mean zero capacity, no maintenance requirement or permission to substitute a part. Request a specification correction with the exact year, engine and manufacturer reference.
Frequently asked questions
- How much oil does a 2011 Ford Explorer take?
- 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD: 6 US qt (filter basis not stated); SAE 5W-20. 3.5L V6 S6 automatic FWD: 6 US qt (filter basis not stated); SAE 5W-20. 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic 4WD: 6 US qt (filter basis not stated); SAE 5W-20. 3.5L V6 S6 automatic 4WD: 6 US qt (filter basis not stated); SAE 5W-20.
- What type of oil does the 2011 Ford Explorer take?
- SAE 5W-20 (3.5L). Specification: WSS-M2C930-A (API Certification Mark). Use the grade printed in your owner's manual or on the oil filler cap.
- Does the 2011 Ford Explorer oil capacity include the filter?
- The owner's manual table gives one quantity per engine without saying whether it includes the filter. Add slightly less, run the engine briefly, then top up to the dipstick's full mark.
- What tire size and wheel torque does the 2011 Ford Explorer use?
- 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD: tire size not published; wheel torque not published. 3.5L V6 S6 automatic FWD: tire size not published; wheel torque not published. 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic 4WD: tire size not published; wheel torque not published. 3.5L V6 S6 automatic 4WD: tire size not published; wheel torque not published.
- What is the 2011 Ford Explorer gas mileage?
- EPA combined ratings run from 19 to 20 mpg across 4 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
- Are these real-world MPG figures for the Explorer?
- These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
- Does the 2011 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- NHTSA returned 8 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
- Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
- No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-052011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Maintenance product specifications and capacities, PDF p. 412 Accessed 2026-10-102011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Engine oil, transmission fluid and axle fluids, PDF p. 413 Accessed 2026-10-102011 Ford Explorer Owner Guide — Fuel tank and footnotes, PDF p. 414 Accessed 2026-10-10Last updated