service indicator FORD EXPLORER 2021 Owner's Manual

When the oil change message appears in
the information display, it is time for an oil
change. Make sure you perform the oil
change within two weeks or 500 mi
(800 km) of the message appearing. Make
sure you reset the Intelligent Oil-Life
Monitor after each oil change. See
Oil
Change Indicator Reset (page 327).
If your information display resets
prematurely or becomes inoperative, you
should perform the oil change interval at
six months or
5,000 mi (8,000 km) from
your last oil change. Never exceed one year
or
10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil
change intervals,
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built
with multiple, complex performance
systems. Every manufacturer develops
these systems using different
specifications and performance features.
That is why it is important to rely upon your
dealership to properly diagnose and repair
your vehicle.
We have recommended maintenance
intervals for various parts and component
systems based upon engineering testing.
We rely upon this testing to determine the
most appropriate mileage for replacement
of oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at
the lowest overall cost to you and
recommends against maintenance
schedules that deviate from the scheduled
maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of only
our genuine manufactured or our
authorized re-manufactured replacement
parts engineered for your vehicle. Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and our Workshop
Manual list the recommended additives
and chemicals for your vehicle. We do not
recommend using chemicals or additives
not approved by us as part of your vehicle
’s
normal maintenance. Please consult your
warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a
normal operating characteristic and, by
itself, does not necessarily indicate a
concern or that the fluid needs to be
changed. However, a qualified expert, such
as the factory-trained technicians at your
dealership, should inspect discolored fluids
that also show signs of overheating or
foreign material contamination
immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle ’s oils and
fluids at the specified intervals or in
conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a
viable way to change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are
flushed only with new fluid that is the same
as that required to fill and operate the
system or using our approved flushing
chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic
maintenance checks and inspections every
month or at six-month intervals.
483
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Extensive Idling or Low-speed Driving for Long Distances, as in Heavy Commercial Use
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information
display and perform services listed in the Normal Sched-
uled Maintenance chart.
As required
Replace cabin air filter.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Replace engine air filter.
Replace spark plugs.
Every 60,000 mi
(96,000 km) Operating in Dusty or Sandy Conditions - Such as Unpaved or Dusty Roads
Replace cabin air filter.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Replace engine air filter.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag.
Every
5,000 mi (8,000 km)
Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and measure tread
depth.
Change engine oil and filter. 1
Every
5,000 mi (8,000 km)
or six months
Perform multi-point inspection.
1 Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine oil and filter changes. See Oil Change
Indicator Reset
(page 327). Exclusive use of E85 - Flex Fuel Vehicles Only
If ran exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full with regular
unleaded fuel.
Every oil change
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the Normal
Schedule: Axle and Transfer Case Maintenance
The transfer case, front and rear axles in
your vehicle do not require normal
scheduled maintenance. Your vehicle is
electronically monitored and notifies you
of required service by displaying a message
in the information display. The transfer
case, front and rear axles are more likely
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Switching the Rear Heated Seats On and
Off...................................................................... 453
Switching the Rear Ventilated Seats On and Off.............................................................. 453
Switching the Ventilated Seats On and Off...................................................................... 453
Climate Control.............................................139
Cold Weather Precautions.......................296
Collision, Damage or Fire Event.............302 Guidance for Ford Motor Company Electric
and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped
With High Voltage Batteries..................... 302
Connected Vehicle
.......................................421
Connecting the Vehicle to a Mobile
Network............................................................. 421
Connected Vehicle Data...............................17
Connected Vehicle Limitations...............421
Connected Vehicle Requirements..........421
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting - Vehicles With: Modem............................422
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting - Vehicles With: SYNC 3............................423
Connecting the Vehicle to a Mobile Network.........................................................421
Connecting FordPass to the Modem..........421
Enabling and Disabling the Modem............421
What Is the Modem........................................... 421
Connecting the Vehicle to a Wi-Fi Network - Vehicles With: SYNC 3
........421
Coolant Check See: Engine Coolant Check............................. 331
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator
........52
Creating a MyKey...........................................65
Programming and Changing Configurable
Settings.............................................................. 66
Creating a Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot..........425 Connecting a Device to the Wi-Fi
Hotspot............................................................ 425
Finding the Wi-Fi Hotspot Name and Password......................................................... 425
Cross Traffic Alert........................................268 Cross Traffic Alert Behavior When Trailer
is Attached...................................................... 270
Cross Traffic Alert Indicator........................... 270
Cross Traffic Alert Information Messages........................................................... 271
Cross Traffic Alert System Limitations ....................................................... 270Cross Traffic Alert System Sensors.............270
Switching the System On and Off...............270
Using Cross Traffic Alert.................................
268
Cruise Control
...............................................244
Cruise Control Indicators..........................245
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go..........82
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Cruise Control
............................................................83
Cup Holders......................................................171
Customer Assistance.................................305
Customer Information................................491 Radio Frequency Certification Labels........491
D
Data Privacy
......................................................15
Services That Third Parties Provide...............15
Services That We Provide.................................. 15
Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Configurable Daytime Running
Lamps.............................................................89
Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)............89
Digital Radio
...................................................427
HD Radio Reception and Station
Troubleshooting............................................ 428
Direction Indicators
.......................................90
Direction Indicator................................................ 91
Switching the Direction Indicators On and Off........................................................................\
. 90
Doors and Locks.............................................69
Drive Mode Control.....................................278 Drive Modes......................................................... 278
Drive Modes...................................................278 Deep Snow/Sand.............................................. 278
Eco........................................................................\
... 279
Normal................................................................... 279
Slippery.................................................................. 279
Sport....................................................................... 279
Tow/Haul.............................................................. 279
Trail........................................................................\
.. 279
Driver Alert.....................................................259 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION.......................... 259
USING DRIVER ALERT.................................... 259
Driver and Passenger Airbags....................47 Children and Airbags.......................................... 48
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Trailer Lamps.......................................................
292
When Towing a Trailer..................................... 293
Event Data.........................................................16
Export Unique Options.................................14
Exterior Mirrors - Excluding: ST.................97 360-Degree Camera.......................................... 98
Auto-dimming Feature...................................... 98
Auto-Folding Mirrors .......................................... 97
Blind Spot Information System...................... 98
Direction Indicator Mirrors ............................... 98
Fold-Away Exterior Mirrors............................... 97
Heated Exterior Mirrors ..................................... 98
Memory Mirrors ................................................... 98
Power Exterior Mirrors......................................... 97
Puddle Lamps....................................................... 98
Exterior Mirrors - ST......................................98 Auto-dimming Feature.................................... 100
Auto-Folding Mirrors........................................... 99
Blind Spot Information System.................... 100
Direction Indicator Mirrors.............................. 100
Fold-Away Exterior Mirrors............................... 99
Heated Exterior Mirrors.................................... 100
Memory Mirrors................................................... 100
Power Exterior Mirrors........................................ 98
Puddle Lamps..................................................... 100
F
Fastening the Seatbelts..............................39
Seatbelt Locking Modes................................... 40
Using Seatbelts During Pregnancy................39
Flat Tire See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 374
Floor Mats.......................................................297
Fog Lamps - Front See: Front Fog Lamps........................................ 89
Ford Credit
..........................................................11
US Only...................................................................... 11
Ford Protect..................................................480 Ford Protect Extended Service Plan
(CANADA ONLY)........................................... 481
Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (U.S. Only)................................................................. 480
Four-Wheel Drive.........................................207 Principle of Operation...................................... 207
Front Fog Lamps
............................................89
Front Fog Lamp Indicator................................. 90Switching the Front Fog Lamps On or
Off........................................................................\
. 89
Front Parking Aid
..........................................232
Object Distance Indicator............................... 233
Front Passenger Sensing System
............48
Front Wiper Blades See: Changing the Front Wiper Blades......340
Fuel and Refueling.......................................185
Fuel Consumption.......................................194 Advertised Capacity.......................................... 194
Calculating Fuel Economy.............................. 195
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................187
Fuel Filter........................................................340
Fuel Quality - E85........................................185 Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex Fuel
Vehicles............................................................. 185
Switching Between E85 and Gasoline............................................................ 186
Fuel Quality - Gasoline...............................187 Choosing the Right Fuel................................... 187
Fuel Shutoff
..................................................299
Fuses..................................................................312
Fuse Specification Chart............................312 Engine Compartment Fuse Box.................... 312
Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel.........317
G
Garage Door Opener...................................162
Garage Door Opener See: Universal Garage Door Opener............162
Gauges - Vehicles With: 12.3 Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen...........................................................104
Distance to Empty............................................. 106
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........106
Fuel Gauge............................................................ 105
Gauge Display...................................................... 105
Information Bar................................................... 105
Information Display........................................... 105
Low Fuel Reminder............................................ 105
Gauges - Vehicles With: 4.2 Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen...........................................................106
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge...........107
Fuel Gauge............................................................ 107
Information Display............................................ 107
565
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Gauges - Vehicles With: 6.5 Inch
Instrument Cluster Display
Screen............................................................103
Distance to Empty............................................. 104
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........104
Fuel Gauge............................................................ 103
Information Bar................................................... 103
Information Display........................................... 103
Low Fuel Reminder............................................ 104
Gearbox See: Transmission.............................................. 201
General Information on Radio Frequencies...................................................57
Intelligent Access.................................................. 57
General Maintenance Information.......482 Multi-Point Inspection.................................... 484
Owner Checks and Services......................... 483
Protecting Your Investment........................... 482
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?......................... 482
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?..................................................... 482
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada.........................................................308
Getting the Services You Need..............305 Away From Home............................................. 305
Global Opening
...............................................97
Remote Control Front Windows..................... 97
H
Hazard Flashers
...........................................299
Headlamp Adjusting See: Adjusting the Headlamps..................... 338
Headlamp Exit Delay....................................88
Headrest See: Head Restraints........................................ 146
Head Restraints
............................................146
Adjusting the Head Restraints....................... 147
Heated Exterior Mirrors..............................144
Heated Rear Window..................................144
Heated Seats.................................................158 Automatic Climate Controlled Seats..........159
Front Seats........................................................... 158
Second Row Heated Seats............................. 159
Heated Steering Wheel...............................83
Heated Windshield
......................................143
Windshield Wiper De-Icer............................... 143Heating
See: Climate Control......................................... 139
High Voltage Battery..................................200 General Information - Hybrid Electric
Vehicle (HEV)................................................ 200
Hill Descent Control....................................228
Hill Descent Control Indicator
.................229
Hill Start Assist...............................................217 Switching the System On and Off................217
Using Hill Start Assist........................................ 217
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate...........................................................141
Defogging the Side Windows in Cold Weather............................................................. 142
General Hints......................................................... 141
Quickly Cooling the Interior............................. 142
Quickly Heating the Interior............................ 142
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........142
Recommended Settings for Heating..........142
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes.............................................................215
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood...........322
Horn.....................................................................83
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go Work....................................246
How Does the Rear Occupant Alert System Work
...............................................160
Hybrid Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions.....................................................184
Hybrid Vehicle Operation..........................182 Battery.................................................................... 182
Braking.................................................................... 183
Driving..................................................................... 182
Driving to Optimize Fuel Economy..............183
Starting................................................................... 182
Stopping................................................................. 182
Transmission Operation................................... 182
I
Ignition Switch................................................172
In California (U.S. Only)............................306
Information Display Control
.......................83
Information Displays.....................................112
General Information - Vehicles With: 12.3
Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen................................................................. 114
566
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Satellite Radio Reception Factors..............430
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Service.................430
Troubleshooting..................................................
431
Scheduled Maintenance..........................482
Seatbelt Extensions......................................44
Seatbelt Height Adjustment.......................41
Seatbelt Reminder.........................................42 Seatbelt Status..................................................... 42
Seatbelts...........................................................38 Principle of Operation........................................ 38
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime...............................................................41
Conditions of operation...................................... 41
Seats.................................................................146
Security..............................................................78
Selecting a Drive Mode..............................278
Service Data
......................................................16
Settings Data.....................................................17 Comfort and Convenience Data...................... 17
Entertainment Data.............................................. 17
Settings...........................................................464 911 Assist.............................................................. 464
Ambient Lighting............................................... 465
Audio...................................................................... 464
Automatic Updates.......................................... 464
Bluetooth............................................................. 464
Charge Settings................................................. 465
Clock...................................................................... 464
Display................................................................... 465
Driver Assist......................................................... 464
FordPass............................................................... 464
General.................................................................. 464
Message Center................................................. 465
Mobile Apps........................................................ 464
Multi Contour Seats.......................................... 465
Navigation............................................................ 465
Personal Profiles................................................ 465
Phone.................................................................... 464
Seats...................................................................... 465
Sound.................................................................... 464
Valet Mode........................................................... 465
Vehicle................................................................... 464
Voice Control....................................................... 465
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Gap..................................................................251
Following a Vehicle........................................... 252Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control
Speed............................................................250
Manually Changing the Set Speed..............251
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Speed from a Complete Stop................................................ 251
Setting the Cruise Control Speed..........244 Changing the Set Speed................................. 244
Setting the Hill Descent Speed
..............228
Side Airbags.....................................................50
Side Sensing System..................................234 Object Distance Indicator............................... 235
Sitting in the Correct Position..................146
Snow Chains See: Using Snow Chains................................. 366
Spare Wheel See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 374
Special Notices................................................12 New Vehicle Limited Warranty......................... 12
Notice to Owners of Pickup Trucks and Utility Type Vehicles........................................ 13
On Board Diagnostics Data Link Connector............................................................ 13
Special Instructions.............................................. 12
Using Your Vehicle as an Ambulance............13
Using Your Vehicle With a Snowplow............13
Special Operating Conditions Scheduled Maintenance
..............................................488
Exceptions........................................................... 489
Speed Control See: Cruise Control........................................... 244
Speed Sign Recognition.............................271 Principle of Operation....................................... 271
Using Speed Sign Recognition...................... 272
Stability Control
...........................................225
Principle of Operation...................................... 225
Starter Switch See: Ignition Switch............................................ 172
Starting a Gasoline Engine........................173 Automatic Engine Shutdown......................... 174
Failure to Start...................................................... 174
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes................176
Important Ventilating Information...............176
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving................................................................ 175
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary.......................................................... 175
Vehicles with an Ignition Key.......................... 173
Vehicles with Keyless Start............................. 173
571
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W
Warning Lamps and Indicators...............107
Adaptive Cruise Control................................... 107
Anti-Lock Braking System.............................. 108
Auto Hold Active................................................. 108
Auto Hold Unavailable..................................... 108
Automatic High Beam Control...................... 108
Auto Start-stop.................................................. 108
Battery.................................................................... 108
Blind Spot Monitor............................................ 108
Brake System Warning Lamp........................ 108
Cruise Control...................................................... 109
Direction Indicator............................................. 109
Door Ajar................................................................ 109
Electric Park Brake............................................. 109
Engine Oil.............................................................. 109
Engine or Motor Coolant Temperature................................................... 109
Fasten Rear Seatbelt........................................ 109
Fasten Seatbelt.................................................. 109
Front Airbag......................................................... 109
Front Fog Lamps................................................ 109
High Beam............................................................ 109
High Voltage Electric System Failure...........110
Hill Descent........................................................... 110
Hood Ajar................................................................ 110
Lamps On............................................................... 110
Liftgate Ajar........................................................... 110
Low Beam Warning............................................ 110
Low Fuel Level...................................................... 110
Low Tire Pressure Warning.............................. 110
Low Washer Fluid................................................ 110
Powertrain Fault.................................................. 110
Ready to Drive....................................................... 110
Service Engine Soon........................................... 110
Stability Control.................................................... 111
Stability Control Off............................................. 111
Washer Fluid Check
....................................340
Washers See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 344
See: Wipers and Washers................................. 84
Waxing
.............................................................345
What Is 911 Assist...........................................55
What Is a Connected Vehicle...................421
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control With Lane Centering..........................................246 What Is Automatic High Beam
Control............................................................94
What Is Cruise Control...............................244 Requirements...................................................... 244
What Is Drive Mode Control.....................278
What Is Hill Descent Control
...................228
What Is Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control..........................................................246
What Is Reverse Braking Assist
..............220
What Is the Cabin Air Filter.......................145
What is the Rear Occupant Alert System..........................................................160
Wheel Nuts See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 374
Wheels and Tires..........................................351 General Information.......................................... 351
Technical Specifications................................ 380
Windows and Mirrors
...................................96
Windshield Washers.....................................85
Front Camera Washer........................................ 86
Windshield Wipers........................................84 Intermittent Wipe................................................ 84
Speed Dependent Wipers................................ 84
Wiper Blades See: Checking the Wiper Blades.................340
Wipers and Washers.....................................84
Wireless Accessory Charger.....................168
574
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index