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2020 Ford Explorer maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team Β· Last reviewed June 2026

2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder (300 hp), 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (365 hp, 400 hp ST), or 3.3L V6 hybrid (318 hp system)BaseXLTLimitedMSRP $33,860

Jump to a mileage milestone:

Full service timeline

MileageService itemsDetails
10k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change β€” 5W-30 full synthetic (Ford Motorcraft; Oil Life Monitor governs; 10,000 miles is typical on synthetic)
  • Tire rotation
  • Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake hoses
  • Check all fluid levels (coolant, brake, washer)
20k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change β€” 5W-30 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Inspect battery and cables
  • Inspect wiper blades
30k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change β€” 5W-30 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace engine air filter
  • Inspect fuel system and vapor lines
  • Inspect exhaust system and heat shields
  • Inspect cooling system hoses
  • Inspect transfer case fluid β€” Motorcraft SAE 75W-90 (4WD/AWD models)
View β†’
60k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change β€” 5W-30 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Replace engine air filter
  • Replace spark plugs β€” 2.3L EcoBoost (Ford 60k interval for 2.3T)
  • Replace spark plugs β€” 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (Ford 60k interval)
  • Replace brake fluid β€” copper content test or every 3 years
  • Replace rear differential fluid β€” Motorcraft SAE 75W-90 synthetic
  • Replace transfer case fluid (AWD)
  • Inspect CV axle boots and joints
View β†’
90k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change β€” 5W-30 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Inspect accessory drive belt and tensioner for wear or glazing
  • Inspect and replace PTU (Power Transfer Unit) fluid β€” Motorcraft SAE 80W synthetic (AWD; important Ford-specific service often overlooked)
  • Inspect coolant condition (Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant)
  • Inspect brake caliper slide pins and hardware
View β†’
120k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change β€” 5W-30 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace engine coolant β€” Motorcraft Orange (first change at 6 years/100k, then every 3 years/50k; verify dates)
  • Replace 10-speed automatic transmission fluid β€” Mercon ULV (Ford specification; do not substitute with other fluids)
  • Replace PTU fluid
  • Replace rear differential fluid
  • Replace accessory drive belt
  • Full brake fluid flush
  • Inspect wheel bearings
  • Full suspension inspection β€” control arm bushings, ball joints, sway bar end links
View β†’

Upgrading your Explorer's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2020 Ford Explorer β€” bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Explorer fitments at AlloyHaus β†’

AlloyHaus is our sister site β€” built by the same maker as eli5cars.

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE β€” no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing β€” the suspects listed above are your starting point.