2023 Ford Explorer: Coolant Capacity & Type

The 2023 Ford Explorer holds between 10.7 and 14.3 quarts (10.1 and 13.5 liters) of coolant, depending on the engine.

Quick Answer

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 10.7–14.3 qts (10.1–13.5 L)
• OEM Coolant Specification: Ford VC-13-G / WSS-M97B57-A1 (Yellow, Phosphated Organic Acid Technology - P-OAT)
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 with distilled water (pre-mixed is recommended)

Capacity by Engine Option

Flush Interval

Ford specifies a very long initial service interval for the Motorcraft Yellow coolant used in the 2023 Explorer.

• Normal Duty: The initial coolant flush is recommended at 10 years or 200,000 miles. Subsequent flushes are recommended every 3 years or 50,000 miles.
• Severe Duty: If the vehicle is used for towing, extensive idling, or in dusty conditions, the recommendation is to change the coolant every 60,000 miles.

How to Refill & Bleed

Refilling and bleeding the air from the cooling system on a modern vehicle like the 2023 Explorer is critical to prevent overheating.

1. Mix Coolant: If using concentrate, mix it 50/50 with distilled water in a clean container.
2. Slow Fill: Slowly pour the coolant into the degas bottle (coolant reservoir) until it reaches the "MAX" line.
3. Run Engine: Start the engine with the heater on the highest temperature and the fan on low. Let it run for several minutes to warm up and circulate the coolant.
4. Top Off: As the thermostat opens and coolant circulates, the level in the degas bottle will drop. Top it off to the "MAX" line as needed.
5. Bleeding Note: These cooling systems can be difficult to bleed completely. While there isn't a traditional bleed screw, using a vacuum-fill tool is highly recommended by technicians to prevent air pockets, which can cause overheating and heater performance issues.

Common Cooling System Issues

The 2019+ Explorer generation is still relatively new, but some common issues seen on similar modern Ford platforms include:

• Water Pump Failure: Leaks from the water pump weep hole or bearing noise are signs of impending failure.
• Degas Bottle/Hose Leaks: The plastic degas bottle (reservoir) or the many complex hose assemblies can develop small cracks or leaks over time, leading to coolant loss.
• Thermostat Issues: A thermostat stuck open will cause the engine to warm up very slowly, while a thermostat stuck closed will cause rapid overheating.
• Turbocharger Coolant Lines: On EcoBoost models, the lines supplying coolant to and from the turbochargers can sometimes develop leaks at their fittings.

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