What type of gas does a Ford Explorer need?
Most Ford Explorer models run on regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane). Some turbocharged or high-performance trims may benefit from premium fuel (91–93 octane) for maximum power, but always confirm with your owner’s manual or the fuel door label for your exact configuration.
Understanding fuel requirements by engine and year
Fuel needs can vary across generations and engines. The guidance below outlines common practices for current and recent Explorer configurations and explains how to verify the right fuel for your specific vehicle.
General guidance for most Explorers
The following points summarize typical octane guidance for the majority of Explorer configurations. Always verify with your manual or the label at the fuel filler door.
Before listing the typical guidance, note that exact requirements can vary by model year and engine. The list below reflects common, real-world practice and should be treated as a baseline rather than a guarantee for every individual vehicle.
- Regular 87 octane gasoline is acceptable for most Explorer models.
- Turbocharged or high-performance variants may benefit from premium 91–93 octane to maximize power and prevent knocking; consult the owner’s manual for your specific trim.
In practice, using the recommended octane matters most for engines designed to take advantage of higher compression or forced induction. If in doubt, start with 87 octane and move to premium only if your manual or the fuel label instructs you to do so.
How to verify the exact fuel requirement for your Explorer
Because the Explorer lineup spans multiple generations and engine options, the definitive source is your vehicle’s documentation and labeling. The steps below help you confirm the correct octane for your specific model.
Before the list, use these steps to confirm the exact fuel requirement for your vehicle:
- Check the fuel filler door label for the recommended octane rating and any notes about minimum octane.
- Consult the owner’s manual in the Fuel and Emissions section for your engine code and trim.
- If you own a used Explorer, reference the VIN-based Ford specification page or contact a Ford dealership for your exact configuration.
- Be alert to engine pinging or knocking; if you notice it, follow the manual’s guidance on octane adjustments.
Conclusion: The precise fuel requirement depends on engine and year. Regular 87 octane is typical, but some configurations may call for higher octane—always verify with official sources.
Summary
In short, the standard answer is that most Ford Explorer models run on regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane). Premium fuel (91–93 octane) may be recommended or beneficial for turbocharged or high-performance variants, but the exact requirement varies by engine and year. Always check the owner’s manual or the fuel-filler door label for your specific vehicle to ensure you’re using the correct octane of gasoline.
