2022 FORD Explorer Maintenance Guidelines
The 2022 Ford Explorer Maintenance Guidelines are meant to make sure that this flexible and strong SUV works well, lasts a long time, and is safe. Ford encourages owners to be proactive about maintenance by recommending regular check-ups and following the service plan in the owner’s manual. For the Explorer to keep working well, it needs regular maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks. The rules also stress how important it is to use original Ford parts and accessories and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for oils and fluids. Additionally, the guidelines stress how important it is to promptly address any warning lights or strange noises, as early detection and resolution can avoid bigger problems. By following these detailed care tips, Ford hopes that Explorer owners will be able to drive their cars without any worries and keep their value and performance over time.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenance schedule helps protect against major repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance and may help to increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or trade it. Keep all receipts for completed maintenance with your vehicle.
We have established regular maintenance intervals for your vehicle based on rigorous testing. You must have your vehicle serviced at the proper times. These intervals serve two purposes: one is to maintain the reliability of your vehicle and the second is to keep the cost of owning your vehicle down.
It is your responsibility to have all scheduled maintenance performed and to make sure that the materials used meet the specifications identified in this owner’s manual. See Capacities and Specifications
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance invalidates warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance.
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?
Factory-Trained Technicians
Service technicians participate in extensive factory-sponsored certification training to help them become experts in the operation of your vehicle. Ask your dealership about the training and certification their technicians have received.
Our Genuine Replacement Parts
Dealerships stock our genuine manufactured or our authorized
re-manufactured replacement parts. These parts meet or exceed our specifications. Parts installed at your dealership carry a nationwide 24-month or unlimited mile (kilometer) parts and labour-limited warranty.
If you do not use our authorized parts they may not meet our specifications and depending on the part, it could affect emissions compliance.
Convenience
Many dealerships have extended evening and Saturday hours to make your service visit more convenient and they offer one-stop shopping. They can perform any services that are required on your vehicle, from general maintenance to collision repairs.
Note: Not all dealers have extended hours or body shops. Please contact your dealer for details.
Protecting Your Investment
Maintenance is an investment that pays dividends in the form of improved reliability, durability, and resale value. To maintain the proper performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, make sure you have scheduled maintenance performed at the designated intervals.
Your vehicle has an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system; a message appears in the information display at the proper oil change interval. This interval may be up to one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km), hybrid vehicles may exceed 10,000 mi
(16,000 km).
When the oil change message appears in the information display, it is time for an oil change. Make sure you perform the oil change within two weeks or 500 mi
(800 km) of the message appearing. Make sure you reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each oil change. See Oil Change Indicator Reset (page 324).
If your information displays resets prematurely or becomes inoperative, you should perform the oil change interval at six months or 5,000 mi (8,000 km) from your last oil change. Never exceed one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil change intervals,
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple, complex performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using different specifications and performance features. That is why it is important to rely upon your dealership to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle.
We have recommended maintenance intervals for various parts and component systems based on engineering testing. We rely upon this testing to determine the most appropriate mileage for the replacement of oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at the lowest overall cost to you and recommend against maintenance schedules that deviate from the scheduled maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of only our genuine manufactured or our authorized re-manufactured replacement parts engineered for your vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner’s manual and our Workshop Manual list the recommended additives and chemicals for your vehicle. We do not recommend using chemicals or additives not approved by us as part of your vehicle’s normal maintenance. Please consult your warranty information.
Oils, Fluids, and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid needs to be changed. However, a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians at your dealership, should inspect discolored fluids that also show signs of overheating or foreign material contamination immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle’s oils and fluids at the specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled maintenance. Systems must be flushed only with new fluid that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system or use our approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic maintenance checks and inspections every month or at six-month intervals.
Check Every Month
- Engine oil level.
- The function of all interior and exterior lights.
- Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
- Windshield washer fluid level.
- Holes and slots in the tailpipe to make sure they are functional and clear of debris.
Check Every Six Months
- Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
- Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
- Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
- Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
- Hinges, latches, and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary.
- Parking brake for proper operation.
- Seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function.
- Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, and seatbelt) for operation.
- Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-Point Inspection
To keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify potential issues and prevent major problems. We recommend having the following multi-point inspection performed at every scheduled maintenance interval to help make sure your vehicle keeps running great.
| Multi-Point Inspection | |
| Accessory drive belt(s) | Hazard warning system operation |
| Battery performance | Horn operation |
| Engine air filter | Radiator, cooler, heater, and air conditioning hoses |
| Exhaust system | Suspension components for leaks or damage |
| Exterior lamps operation | Steering and linkage |
| Fluid levels1; fill if necessary | Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure |
| For oil and fluid leaks | Windshield for cracks, chips, or pits |
| Half-shaft dust boots | Washer spray and wiper operation |
- Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission, and window washer
- If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant expiration use date on the canister. Replace as needed.
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the multi-point vehicle inspection. It is a comprehensive way to perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Your checklist gives you immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor™
Your vehicle has an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor that determines when you should change the engine oil based on how you use your vehicle. By using several important factors in its calculations, the monitor helps reduce the cost of owning your vehicle and reduces environmental waste at the same time.
This means you do not have to remember to change the oil on a mileage-based schedule. Your vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due by displaying a message in the information display.
The following table provides examples of vehicle use and its impact on oil change intervals. It is a guideline only. Actual oil change intervals depend on several factors and generally decrease with the severity of use.
| When to Expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Message | |
| Interval1 | Vehicle Use and Example |
| Normal | |
| 7,500–10,000 mi
(12,000–16,000 km) |
Normal commuting with highway driving No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads |
| No extended idling | |
| Severe | |
| 5,000–7,500 mi
(8,000–12,000 km) |
Moderate to heavy load or towing Mountainous or off-road conditions Extended idling |
| Extended hot or cold operation | |
|
3,000–5,000 mi (4,800–8,000 km) |
Extreme |
| Maximum load or towing Extreme hot or cold operation | |
| Extended engine idling | |
- Hybrid vehicles may achieve longer distances between oil changes but do not exceed the 1-year maximum oil change interval. Remaining oil life can be accessed through the information display. See Information Displays
Normal Maintenance Intervals
At Every Oil Change Interval as Indicated by the Information Display
- Change the engine oil and filter.2
- Rotate the tires.
- Perform a multi-point inspection, as recommended.
- Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses, and parking brakes.
- Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
- Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
- Inspect the front axle.
- Inspect the rear axle and U-joints.
- Inspect the half-shaft boots.
- Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, and tire-rod ends.
- Inspect the tires, and tire wear, and measure the tread depth.
- Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness, or drag.
- Do not exceed one year or 12,500 mi (20,000 km) between service intervals.
- Reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine oil and filter changes. See Engine Oil Check
Brake Fluid Maintenance
Every Three Years Change the brake fluid.2
| Other Maintenance Items1 | |
| Every 20,000 mi
(32,000 km) |
Replace the cabin air filter. |
| Every 30,000 mi
(48,000 km) |
Replace the engine air filter. |
| At 200,000 mi
(322,000 km) |
Change the engine coolant and motor electronics coolant.2 |
| Every 100,000 mi
(160,000 km) |
Replace the spark plugs. |
| Every 100,000 mi
(160,000 km) |
Inspect the accessory drive belt or belts.3 |
| Every 150,000 mi (240,000 km) | Change the automatic transmission fluid. |
| Replace the accessory drive belt or belts.4 | |
- Perform these maintenance items within 3,000 mi (4,800 km) of the last engine oil and filter change. Do not exceed the designated distance for the interval.
- Initial replacement at 10 years or 200,000 mi (322,000 km), then every 5 years or 100,000 mi (160,000 km).
- After initial inspection, inspect every other oil change until replaced.
- If not replaced within the last 100,000 mi (160,000 km).
SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in any of the following conditions, you need to perform extra maintenance as indicated. If you operate your vehicle occasionally under any of these conditions, it is not necessary to perform the extra maintenance. For specific recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or technician. Perform the services shown in the following tables when specified or within 3,000 mi (4,800 km) of the message appearing in the information display prompting you to change your oil.
- Example 1: The message comes on at 28,750 mi (46,270 km). Perform the 30,000 mi (48,000 km) automatic transmission fluid replacement.
- Example 2: The message has not come on, but the odometer reads 30,000 mi (48,000 km) (for example, the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor was reset at 25,000 mi (40,000 km). Perform the engine air filter replacement.
| Towing a Trailer or Using a Car-top Carrier | |
| As required | Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information display and perform services listed in the Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart. |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Inspect the front axle. |
| Inspect the rear axle and U-joints. | |
| Inspect half-shaft boots. | |
| See axle maintenance items under Exceptions. | |
| Every 60,000 mi
(96,000 km) |
Replace spark plugs. |
| Extensive Idling or Low-speed Driving for Long Distances, as in Heavy Commercial Use | |
| As required | Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information display and perform services listed in the Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart. |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Replace cabin air filter. |
| Replace the engine air filter. | |
| Every 60,000 mi
(96,000 km) |
Replace spark plugs. |
| Operating in Dusty or Sandy Conditions – Such as Unpaved or Dusty Roads | |
| Inspect frequently, service as required | Replace cabin air filter. |
| Replace the engine air filter. | |
| Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) | Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness, or drag. |
| Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear, and measure tread depth. | |
| Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) or six months | Change engine oil and filter.1 |
| Perform multi-point inspection. | |
1Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine oil and filter changes. See Oil Change Indicator
Exclusive use of E85 – Flex Fuel Vehicles Only
Every oil change: If run exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full with regular unleaded fuel.
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule:
Axle and Transfer Case Maintenance
The transfer case, and front and rear axles in your vehicle do not require normal scheduled maintenance. Your vehicle is electronically monitored and notifies you of required service by displaying a message in the information display. The transfer case, front, and rear axles are more likely to require a fluid change if the vehicle has experienced extended periods of extreme or severe duty cycle driving. Changing or checking the transfer case, front and/or rear axle lubricant is not necessary unless the unit has been submerged in water, shows signs of leakage, and a message indicating required service is displayed. Contact your authorized dealer for service.
California Fuel Filter Replacement
If you register your vehicle in California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item does not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability before the completion of your vehicle’s useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals and to record all vehicle services.
Hot Climate Oil Change Intervals
Vehicles operating in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, or locations with similar climates using an American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal oil change interval is 5,000 mi (8,000 km).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not available, then the oil change interval is 3,000 mi (4,800 km).
Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter Replacement
The life of the engine air filter and cabin air filter is dependent on exposure to dusty and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in these conditions require frequent inspection and replacement of the engine air filter and cabin air filter.
FAQs
Ford recommends changing the oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or at least once a year for the 2022 Explorer.
The recommended oil is typically a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil with a viscosity grade of 5W-20.
The air filter should be inspected at every oil change, and if necessary, replaced. This is generally recommended every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
Tire pressure should be maintained according to the specifications typically around 32 to 35 PSI.
The transmission fluid is typically recommended to be replaced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Brake fluid flushes are generally recommended every 30,000 miles or every two years.
The 2022 Ford Explorer may come equipped with a timing chain instead of a belt, which typically requires less frequent replacement.
Coolant flushes are usually recommended every 60,000 miles or every five years.
Spark plugs generally need replacement every 100,000 miles, but it’s advisable to inspect them regularly.
The cabin air filter should be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
Tire rotation is typically recommended every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
Power steering fluid levels should be checked regularly, and topping off is usually done during routine maintenance.
Some turbocharged engines may benefit from higher-octane fuel.
Suspension components should be inspected during regular maintenance intervals, and any issues should be addressed promptly.
The battery should be inspected regularly, and replacement is typically needed every 3 to 5 years, depending on the battery type and conditions.
Useful Link:
View Full PDF: 2022 FORD Explorer |Auto User Guide