2017 Ford Explorer: Coolant Capacity, Type, and Maintenance Guide

The 2017 Ford Explorer holds between 11.1 and 13.5 quarts (10.5 to 12.8 liters) of coolant, depending on the engine option and whether the vehicle is equipped with a rear auxiliary heater. As an ASE-certified master technician, I frequently service these popular SUVs, and maintaining the cooling system is absolutely critical—especially given some of the well-known engine quirks in this generation. Below is the complete guide to keeping your 2017 Explorer's cooling system in top shape.

Quick answer

Here is the baseline information you need before servicing the cooling system on your 2017 Ford Explorer:

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 11.1 to 13.5 quarts (10.5 to 12.8 liters).
• OEM Coolant Spec: Motorcraft Orange (OAT - Organic Acid Technology, spec WSS-M97B44-D) or Motorcraft Yellow (P-OAT - Phosphated Organic Acid Technology, spec WSS-M97B57-A1). Note: Ford has retroactively recommended Motorcraft Yellow as the replacement and upgrade for systems that originally used Orange.
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water, or a pre-mixed 50/50 coolant.

Capacity by engine option

Coolant capacity varies based on the powerplant under the hood and whether you have the rear climate control package (auxiliary heater).

Capacities are approximate; always fill to the MAX/FULL line on the degas bottle.

Flush interval

Ford’s recommended maintenance schedule for the 2017 Explorer cooling system is as follows:

• Normal Duty: The initial factory coolant replacement is due at 100,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first. After the initial flush, the interval drops to every 50,000 miles or 3 years.
• Severe Duty: If you do a lot of towing, idling (like police interceptor models), or driving in extreme temperatures, it is wise to perform the initial flush at 60,000 miles, followed by every 30,000 miles thereafter.

How to refill & bleed

Air pockets in modern cooling systems can lead to localized overheating and erratic heater performance. Here is the best way to refill and bleed a 2017 Explorer:

1. Drain and Prep: Drain the radiator using the petcock. Ensure the engine is completely cool before starting.
2. Vacuum Fill (Recommended): Because the 3.5L V6 engines are notoriously difficult to bleed, using a pneumatic vacuum coolant filler (Airlift tool) is highly recommended. It pulls a vacuum on the empty system and draws the 50/50 mix in without introducing air.
3. Manual Bleed (If vacuum fill isn't available): Attach a spill-free funnel to the degas (reservoir) bottle. Slowly pour in the 50/50 mix until it stops taking fluid.
4. Run the Engine: Start the engine and turn the climate control heater to MAX heat and the blower on low.
5. Cycle the RPM: Let the engine reach operating temperature so the thermostat opens. Periodically hold the engine at 2,500 RPM for 30-second bursts to force air bubbles out into the funnel.
6. Top Off: Once the heat blowing from the vents is consistently hot and no more bubbles appear, shut the engine off, remove the funnel, and top off the reservoir to the MAX line. Recheck the level after your first long drive.

Common cooling system issues

The fifth-generation Ford Explorer has a few well-documented cooling system issues that you must watch out for:

• Internal Water Pump Failure (3.5L V6 Engines): This is the most critical issue. The water pump on the transverse 3.5L V6 (both EcoBoost and naturally aspirated) is driven by the timing chain and sits inside the engine. When the pump's primary seal fails, coolant can leak directly into the crankcase, mixing with engine oil. This creates a milky sludge and can destroy the engine's bearings in short order. Always watch your coolant level and inspect the external weep hole (located near the alternator) for weeping coolant—this is your early warning sign!
• PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Overheating: While not the engine cooling system, the AWD PTU sits near the hot exhaust and holds very little fluid. Heat degrades the PTU fluid quickly. Regular maintenance of the cooling system helps manage under-hood temps, but you should also change PTU fluid regularly.
• Radiator Hose Leaks: The quick-connect fittings on the upper and lower radiator hoses can degrade and begin to drip over time. The O-rings inside flatten out, requiring replacement of the hose assembly.

Don't wait for a catastrophic water pump failure to address your cooling system. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.