Finally pulled the trigger on a 2018 Explorer Sport! Super excited about it. The Ecoboost engine is a beast, and the ride is smooth. Any tips or must-know things for a new owner?
We had a 2013 Flex that got totaled, so we just picked up an Explorer Sport too. Absolutely love the color, and that Ecoboost engine is no joke!
Wylie said:
We had a 2013 Flex that got totaled, so we just picked up an Explorer Sport too. Absolutely love the color, and that Ecoboost engine is no joke!
Ugh, love this so much! I’ve got a 2016 Sport in pearl white, and I’m obsessed with it too!
Wylie said:
We had a 2013 Flex that got totaled, so we just picked up an Explorer Sport too. Absolutely love the color, and that Ecoboost engine is no joke!
Congrats! I’ve got the 2019 version—same ride, just a little newer. You’re gonna love it!
I’ve got a 2017 Platinum. Great vehicles, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
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The oil change reminder on your dash is misleading. Change your oil every 5K miles or less—don’t stretch it to 10K, especially with a turbo engine.
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Keep up with coolant changes! The water pump is inside the engine, and if it fails, it can leak into the block and wreck your engine.
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If you have AWD, the PTU (power transfer unit) fluid needs to be changed every 30K miles, even though Ford calls it ‘lifetime’ fluid. It’s a pain to do, but worth it.
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Your rear brakes will wear faster than the fronts. Keep an eye on them.
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It’s quick for an SUV, but don’t treat it like a sports car. Get good tires so it handles well and stays safe in bad weather.
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The black plastic trim needs UV protection, or it’ll fade over time. Don’t use Armor All—get something better.
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Same goes for the interior. Use a good leather conditioner instead of Armor All to keep seats and armrests from cracking.
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Get all-weather floor mats. Husky Liners are great because they cover more high-wear areas than most brands.
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Clean and protect your sunroof seals to prevent leaks down the road.
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The front bumper sticks out more than you think. Be careful with steep driveways—you can scrape the front valance.
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A good dash cam with front and rear cameras is a solid investment.
Enjoy your new ride!
@Frey
Great advice! The BMW dealer we got ours from just put on new rear brakes, and it came with all-weather mats already. We’re loving it so far!
Wylie said:
@Frey
Great advice! The BMW dealer we got ours from just put on new rear brakes, and it came with all-weather mats already. We’re loving it so far!
Everything AS said is spot on! I’d also recommend checking out Steeda’s rear sway bar upgrade. It makes a HUGE difference in handling. Less body roll and just feels more planted.
Wylie said:
@Frey
Great advice! The BMW dealer we got ours from just put on new rear brakes, and it came with all-weather mats already. We’re loving it so far!
Even with that service, I’d double-check fluid changes. Unless the dealer gives you actual paperwork showing the work was done, assume it wasn’t.
@Frey
This guy knows his Explorers! Listen to all of that advice—it’ll save you headaches later.
Just picked up a 2018 Sport, black on black, a couple weeks ago. Loving it so far!
Elliot said:
Just picked up a 2018 Sport, black on black, a couple weeks ago. Loving it so far!
The interior is so much nicer than what we had in our Flex.
Elliot said:
Just picked up a 2018 Sport, black on black, a couple weeks ago. Loving it so far!
The interior is so much nicer than what we had in our Flex.
I had a 2013 Edge Limited before this, and yeah, the difference is night and day. I wanted a 2020 for the updated interior, but it was out of my budget.
Heads up—at some point, the roof rack bolts will start leaking, the windshield cowl will deteriorate, and the bottom of the transmission could take a hit from road debris.
But hey, it’s a great vehicle, so enjoy it!
@Lael
Okay…?
Hollis said:
@Lael
Okay…?
Don’t mind me—I’m just a jaded original owner with 40K miles, lol.
Hollis said:
@Lael
Okay…?
Don’t mind me—I’m just a jaded original owner with 40K miles, lol.
My Sport has been flawless. Zero issues.
@Lael
Had a 2013 Sport for 8 years, and none of those things happened. The only thing I’d stress to new owners is oil changes—do them on time and use quality oil and filters.
Other than that, just enjoy it! It’s such a fun SUV. I miss that 3.5 Ecoboost… my 2021 Limited has the 2.3, and while it’s solid, I do miss that twin-turbo V6 (except for at the gas pump, haha).
@Page
Yeah, keeping up with oil changes is the key to keeping these running strong.