Vehicle Questions and Answers
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The 2018 Ford Explorer requires 5W-30 oil and holds 5.7 quarts for the 2.3L 4-cylinder engine. It's important to change the oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to prevent engine issues. Using high-quality oil is crucial for smooth engine performance and avoiding potential problems down the road. Neglecting oil changes can lead to engine failure, indicated by a burning smell or reduced gas mileage. If you hear a knocking noise from the engine, it should be addressed promptly to avoid any serious issues, such as the engine potentially failing or causing an explosion.
I am troubled by this information. The Owner's Manual for my 2018 Ford Explorer specifies the use of a premium synthetic blend motor oil. The recommended option is the Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil, designated by the XO-5W30-QSP specification for 2.3l and 3.5l Ecoboost engines. An alternative is the Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, marked by the XO-5W30-QFS specification. These details can be found on pages 342, 342, and 352 of the Owner's Manual. I am curious as to why Ford suggests a premium synthetic blend that contains mineral oil, when full synthetic without mineral oil is available as an option. If the type of oil doesn't matter, why isn't full synthetic the standard recommendation? Despite having my vehicle serviced at a Ford dealership since it was brand new, they have been using 5W30 Synthetic Blend, which raises further questions for me.
The recommended oil for the 2018 Ford Explorer is a high-quality synthetic oil. The 2.3L 4-cylinder engine requires SAE 5W-30 oil and has a capacity of 5.7 quarts. For the 3.5L V6 engine, SAE 5W-20 oil is recommended with a capacity of 6 quarts.
I requested a synthetic blend 5W-30 oil, but the dealership ended up using 5W-20 instead.