Ensuring your 2016 Ford Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost engine receives the highest quality lubrication is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. The turbocharged nature of the 3.5L V6 places significant stress on the engine, demanding synthetic oils that can withstand high temperatures and provide robust protection against wear. Whether you are towing heavy loads, navigating city traffic, or taking long highway trips, using the correct fluids can prevent costly repairs and keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.
Recommended AMSOIL Products
- AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil – Delivers the ultimate protection with a guaranteed service interval of up to 25,000 miles or one year, offering superior control over LSPI and turbocharger health.
- AMSOIL Extended-Life 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil – Provides extended performance with 37% more cleaning power, ensuring up to 20,000 miles of protection between changes while protecting against low-speed pre-ignition.
- AMSOIL OE 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil – A cost-effective option that outperforms conventional oils and meets OEM mileage requirements while fighting sludge and deposits.
- AMSOIL 5W-30 100% Synthetic High-Mileage Motor Oil – Specially formulated for vehicles with over 75,000 miles to reduce leaks and consumption while cleaning the engine with a boosted detergent package.
- AMSOIL Oil Filter – Ensures 99% filtration efficiency at 20 microns with greater capacity for contaminants than competing filters to help reduce engine wear.
- WIX XP Oil Filter – Features premium media that offers significant improvements over original equipment manufacturer-branded filters for enhanced engine protection.
- WIX Oil Filter – A reliable choice with premium media that outperforms many stock filters to maintain optimal engine oil flow and cleanliness.
- WIX Air Filter – Provides premium media filtration to ensure clean airflow enters the turbocharged engine, supporting peak performance and fuel efficiency.
- AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant – A unique poly-organic acid formulation providing up to 150,000 miles or 5 years of protection for the cooling system.
- AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant – A concentrated formula requiring mixing, offering exceptional protection against corrosion and erosion for up to 150,000 miles.
- AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid – Designed to withstand heavy towing and elevated temperatures while remaining fluid in sub-zero conditions.
- AMSOIL OE Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid – An economical choice that protects against wear and is designed for optimal fuel efficiency in automatic transmissions.
- AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-140 100% Synthetic Gear Lube – Recommended for transfer cases and limited-slip differentials to control thermal runaway and protect against rust and corrosion.
- AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 80W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube – The ideal viscosity for rear differentials requiring SAE 80W-90 meeting Ford specifications, offering advanced wear protection.
- AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube – A versatile heavy-duty gear lube that controls thermal runaway and extends equipment life in demanding applications.
- AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-110 100% Synthetic Gear Lube – Provides high-performance protection with friction modifiers for limited-slip applications and excellent thermal stability.
- AMSOIL DOT 3 and DOT 4 100% Synthetic Brake Fluid – Delivers excellent ABS and traction-control responsiveness with a stable viscosity across a wide temperature range.
Proper lubrication is the lifeblood of your 2016 Ford Explorer’s 3.5L EcoBoost engine. This turbocharged powertrain generates significant heat and stress, making standard conventional oils insufficient for long-term protection. AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil is engineered to handle these extreme conditions, ensuring that the turbochargers stay cool and the internal components remain free of sludge and deposits. The oil capacity for this engine, including the filter, is 6.0 quarts. After refilling, always check the oil level to ensure accuracy. The drain plug should be torqued to 20 ft/lbs to prevent leaks and ensure a secure seal. Regular oil changes using high-quality synthetic fluid, such as AMSOIL Extended-Life 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil, AMSOIL OE 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil, or AMSOIL 5W-30 100% Synthetic High-Mileage Motor Oil not only extend the life of your engine but also maintain fuel economy and power output.
Transmission and Drivetrain Care
Keeping your 2016 Ford Explorer’s transmission and drivetrain properly lubricated is crucial for smooth operation and longevity. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission that benefits significantly from synthetic fluids capable of withstanding high thermal loads. For the 6F50 transmission, the total fill capacity is 10.9 quarts, with an initial fill of 4.5 quarts. The 6F55 transmission requires a total fill of 11.6 quarts and an initial fill of 4.5 quarts. AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid offers reserve protection during heavy use, such as towing or navigating challenging terrain, while remaining fluid even in sub-zero temperatures. For owners seeking a cost-effective solution without sacrificing protection, the AMSOIL OE Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is an excellent alternative that protects against wear and ensures reliable shifting.
The transfer case and rear differential also require specific attention to prevent premature wear. The PTU (Power Transfer Unit) requires 1.1 pints of SAE 75W-140 synthetic rear axle lubricant, meeting the Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A. Torque values for the drain plug are 9 ft/lbs and 15 ft/lbs for the fill plug, though some models may not have drain plugs. For the rear differential, which typically requires SAE 80W-90 meeting Ford specification WSP-M2C197-A, the capacity is 2.4 pints. AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-140 100% Synthetic Gear Lube in this specific viscosity provides advanced protection against wear, controls thermal runaway, and contains friction modifiers essential for limited-slip differentials. By selecting the correct AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 80W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube, AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube, or AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-110 100% Synthetic Gear Lube, you ensure that the drivetrain operates efficiently under load, reducing noise and vibration.
Fluids and Maintenance Essentials
Beyond the engine and drivetrain, maintaining the cooling and braking systems is vital for the safety and reliability of your vehicle. The 2016 Ford Explorer’s cooling system has a capacity of 13.1 quarts. Using a high-quality antifreeze and AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant is essential. This product features a unique poly-organic acid formulation that is phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, silicate, borate, and amine-free, making it safe for all cooling system metals, gaskets, and hoses. It provides protection for up to 150,000 miles or 5 years. For those who prefer a concentrated formula, the AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant offers superior corrosion and erosion protection for up to 1,000,000 miles in heavy-duty applications, requiring mixing with distilled or high-quality water.
Brake performance is critical for any vehicle, and using a high-performance AMSOIL DOT 3 and DOT 4 100% Synthetic Brake Fluid can significantly improve responsiveness. The recommended fluid for the 2016 Ford Explorer meets Motorcraft DOT 4 LV High Performance Brake Fluid specifications (P/N PM-20 or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2). AMSOIL DOT 3 and DOT 4 100% Synthetic Brake Fluid offers excellent ABS and traction-control responsiveness with a stable viscosity over a wide temperature range, ensuring consistent pedal feel and braking power. Additionally, the WIX Air Filter is an often-overlooked component that impacts engine performance. It features premium media that improves upon OEM standards, ensuring clean airflow reaches the engine, which is particularly important for the turbocharged engine to maintain its efficiency and power.
Additional Protection and Care
For owners who store their vehicles or want to maximize engine life, AMSOIL offers a range of supplemental products that add an extra layer of protection. The AMSOIL P.i. Performance Improver Gasoline Additive is a gasoline additive that restores up to 14% horsepower and cleans GDI fuel injectors to 100% flow rate after just one tank of fuel. It also helps prevent carbon deposits and controls pre-ignition knock, making it an ideal companion for the direct injection technology used in the Explorer’s engine. For seasonal storage, the AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil is designed to protect internal engine components from rust during long periods of inactivity, while the AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer keeps fuel fresh for up to 12 months, preventing varnish and gum buildup.
Exterior and interior maintenance are equally important to preserve the value and appearance of your Ford Explorer. The AMSOIL Engine Degreaser provides a professional-strength formula to quickly remove tough grease, dirt, and grime from engine surfaces. For exterior cleaning, the AMSOIL Miracle Wash Waterless Wash and Wax Spray offers a fantastic shine and protective finish without the need for soap or water. The AMSOIL Exterior Ceramic Spray provides rapid water shedding and UV protection with no cure time required. Inside the cabin, the AMSOIL Interior Detailer – Light Lemon and AMSOIL Interior Detailer – Scent Free offer multi-surface cleaning with 90-day UV protection and odor elimination. Finally, the AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Degreaser and AMSOIL Brake and Parts Cleaner ensure that maintenance tasks are performed efficiently and effectively, leaving no residue behind.
About the 2016 Ford Explorer
The 2016 Ford Explorer represents a significant evolution in the American mid-size SUV market, particularly with the introduction of the EcoBoost engine options. This vehicle marked a shift towards more powerful and fuel-efficient powertrains, moving away from traditional V6 and V8 engines to a range of turbocharged options, including the 2.3-liter and the popular 3.5-liter V6. The 3.5L EcoBoost engine, in particular, became a standout in the industry for its ability to deliver V8-like performance with improved fuel economy and lower emissions. This engine is known for its robust build quality, capable of handling heavy towing and hauling demands that were traditionally the domain of larger displacement engines.
As a mid-size SUV, the Explorer offers a versatile platform that balances passenger comfort with utility. The 2016 model year continued the fifth-generation design, which was praised for its spacious interior, modern technology features, and comfortable ride quality. Owners typically appreciate the vehicle’s capability as a family hauler, with a seating capacity for up to seven or eight passengers depending on the trim level. The driving character of the Explorer, especially with the EcoBoost engine, is characterized by responsive acceleration and refined handling, making it suitable for both daily commuting and adventurous weekend trips. The vehicle’s reputation for reliability and performance has kept it a popular choice in a competitive segment, appealing to drivers who need a capable all-around vehicle for various terrains and conditions.