FORD EXPLORER 2023 User Guide
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Power Steering Fluid Check....................329
Changing the 12V Battery - Excluding:Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)............329
Changing the 12V Battery - HybridElectric Vehicle (HEV)..........................332
Adjusting the Headlamps........................335
Washer Fluid Check...................................336
Fuel Filter.......................................................336
Checking the Wiper Blades....................336
Changing the Front Wiper Blades........336
Changing the Rear Wiper Blades..........337
Changing a Bulb..........................................337
Vehicle Care
General Information..................................339
Cleaning Products......................................339
Cleaning the Exterior................................340
Waxing.............................................................341
Cleaning the Engine....................................341
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades........................................................................342
Cleaning the Interior..................................342
Cleaning the Instrument Panel andInstrument Cluster Lens......................343
Cleaning Leather Seats............................343
Repairing Minor Paint Damage.............344
Cleaning the Wheels.................................344
Vehicle Storage...........................................344
Body Styling Kits........................................346
Wheels and Tires
General Information..................................347
Tire Care.........................................................349
Using Summer Tires..................................362
Using Winter Tires......................................362
Using Snow Chains....................................363
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.........364
Changing a Road Wheel..........................370
Technical Specifications..........................376
Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™........................................................................378
Engine Specifications - 3.0L, ST...........378
Engine Specifications - 3.0L..................380
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline.......................................................................380
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, HybridElectric Vehicle (HEV)...........................381
Motorcraft Parts - 2.3L EcoBoost™.....382
Motorcraft Parts - 3.0L.............................382
Motorcraft Parts - 3.3L.............................383
Vehicle Identification Number...............383
Capacities and Specifications - 2.3LEcoBoost™..............................................384
Capacities and Specifications - 3.0L.........................................................................391
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L,Gasoline.....................................................398
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L,Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)...........405
Bulb Specification Chart...........................412
Connected Vehicle
What Is a Connected Vehicle..................414
Connected Vehicle Requirements........414
Connected Vehicle Limitations..............414
Connecting the Vehicle to a MobileNetwork......................................................414
Connecting the Vehicle to a Wi-FiNetwork - Vehicles With: SYNC 3......414
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting -Vehicles With: Modem..........................415
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting -Vehicles With: SYNC 3..........................416
Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot
Creating a Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot..........418
Changing the Vehicle Wi-Fi HotspotName or Password.................................418
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Audio System
General Information...................................419
Audio Unit......................................................419
Digital Radio.................................................420
Satellite Radio.............................................422
USB Port........................................................425
SYNC™ 3
General Information...................................427
Using Voice Recognition..........................429
Entertainment.............................................435
Climate...........................................................445
Phone..............................................................447
Navigation.....................................................449
Electric Vehicle Information...................454
Apps................................................................455
Settings..........................................................458
SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting....................460
Accessories
Accessories...................................................473
Ford Protect
Ford Protect..................................................474
Scheduled Maintenance
General Maintenance Information.......476
Normal Scheduled Maintenance.........479
Special Operating Conditions ScheduledMaintenance............................................482
Customer Information
Rollover Warning........................................485
Radio Frequency Certification Labels.......................................................................485
Warranty Information...............................529
Appendices
Electromagnetic Compatibility..............531
End User License Agreement................534
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ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for choosing Ford. Werecommend that you take some time toget to know your vehicle by reading thismanual. The more that you know aboutyour vehicle, the greater the safety andpleasure you will get from driving it.
WARNING: Driving whiledistracted can result in loss of vehiclecontrol, crash and injury. We stronglyrecommend that you use extremecaution when using any device that maytake your focus off the road. Yourprimary responsibility is the safeoperation of your vehicle. Werecommend against the use of anyhand-held device while driving andencourage the use of voice-operatedsystems when possible. Make sure youare aware of all applicable local lawsthat may affect the use of electronicdevices while driving.
Note: This manual describes productfeatures and options available throughoutthe range of available models, sometimeseven before they are generally available. Itmay describe options not fitted to thevehicle you have purchased.
Note: Some of the illustrations in thismanual may show features as used indifferent models, so may appear differentto you on your vehicle.
Note: Always use and operate your vehiclein line with all applicable laws andregulations.
Note: Pass on this manual when sellingyour vehicle. It is an integral part of yourvehicle.
This manual may qualify the location of acomponent as left-hand side or right-handside. The side is determined when facingforward in the seat.
Right-hand side.A
Left-hand side.B
SYMBOLS GLOSSARY
These are some of the symbols you maysee on your vehicle.
Airbag
Air conditioning system
Air conditioning system lubricanttype
Anti-lock braking system
Avoid smoking, flames or sparks
Battery
Battery acid
Blower motor
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Brake fluid - non petroleumbased
Brake system
Brake system
Cabin air filter
Check fuel cap
Child safety door lock or unlock
Child seat lower anchor
Child seat tether anchor
Cruise control
Do not open when hot
Electric Parking brake
Engine air filter
Engine coolant
Engine coolant temperature
Engine oil
Explosive gas
Fan warning
Fasten seatbelt
Flammable
Front fog lamps
Fuel pump reset
Fuse compartment
Hazard flashers
Headlamp high beams
Headlamps on
Heated rear window
Hill descent control
Horn control
Interior luggage compartmentrelease
Jack
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Keep out of reach of children
Lighting control
Low fuel level
Low tire pressure warning
Maintain correct fluid level
Malfunction Indicator Lamp(MIL)
Note operating instructions
Panic alarm
Parking aid
Parking lamps
Passenger airbag activated
Passenger airbag deactivated
Power steering fluid
Power windows front/rear
Power window lockout
Requires registered technician
Safety alert
See Owner's Manual
See Service Manual
Side airbag
Shield the eyes
Stability control
Stability control off
Trail control
Turn Signal
Windshield defrosting system
Windshield wiping system
Windshield wash and wipe
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PERCHLORATE
Certain components in your vehicle suchas airbag modules, seatbelt pretensionersand remote control batteries may containperchlorate material. Special handlingmay apply for service or vehicle end of lifedisposal.
For more information visit:
Web Address
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazard-ouswaste/perchlorate
FORD CREDIT
US Only
Ford Credit offers a full range of financingand lease plans to help you acquire yourvehicle. If you have financed or leased yourvehicle through Ford Credit, thank you foryour business.
For assistance call 1-800-727-7000, or formore information about Ford Credit andaccess to the online Account Manager tool,visit www.ford.com/finance.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
RECOMMENDATION
We have built your vehicle to the higheststandards using quality parts. Werecommend that you demand the use ofgenuine Ford and Motorcraft partswhenever your vehicle requires scheduledmaintenance or repair. You can clearlyidentify genuine Ford and Motorcraft partsby looking for the Ford, FoMoCo orMotorcraft branding on the parts or theirpackaging.
Scheduled Maintenance andMechanical Repairs
One of the best ways for you to make surethat your vehicle provides years of serviceis to have it maintained in line with ourrecommendations using parts thatconform to the specifications detailed inthis Owner’s Manual.
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts meetor exceed these specifications.
Collision Repairs
We hope that you never experience acollision, but accidents happen sometimes.
Genuine Ford replacement collision partsmeet our stringent requirements for fit,finish, structural integrity, corrosionprotection and dent resistance. Duringvehicle development we validate thatthese parts deliver the intended level ofprotection as a whole system. A great wayto know for sure you are getting this levelof protection is to use genuine Fordreplacement collision parts.
Warranty on Replacement Parts
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft replacementparts are the only replacement parts thatbenefit from a Ford Warranty.
The Ford Warranty may not cover damagecaused to your vehicle as a result of failednon-Ford parts.
For additional information, refer to theterms and conditions of the Ford Warranty.
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SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what iscovered by your New Vehicle LimitedWarranty, see your warranty guide that isavailable online. For more information,refer to our website and download yourcopy of the warranty guide.
Special Instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fittedwith sophisticated electronic controls.
WARNING: You risk death orserious injury to yourself and others if youdo not follow the instruction highlightedby the warning symbol. Failure to followthe specific warnings and instructionscould result in personal injury.
WARNING: NEVER use a rearwardfacing child restraint on a seat protectedby an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it,DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILDcan occur.
On Board Diagnostics Data LinkConnector
WARNING: Do not connectwireless plug-in devices to the data linkconnector. Unauthorized third partiescould gain access to vehicle data andimpair the performance of safety relatedsystems. Only allow repair facilities thatfollow our service and repair instructionsto connect their equipment to the datalink connector.
Your vehicle has an OBD Data LinkConnector (DLC) that is used inconjunction with a diagnostic scan tool forvehicle diagnostics, repairs andreprogramming services. Installing anaftermarket device that uses the DLCduring normal driving for purposes such asremote insurance company monitoring,transmission of vehicle data to otherdevices or entities, or altering theperformance of the vehicle, may causeinterference with or even damage tovehicle systems. We do not recommendor endorse the use of unapprovedaftermarket plug-in devices. The vehicleWarranty will not cover damage causedby an aftermarket plug-in device.
Notice to Owners of Pickup Trucksand Utility Type Vehicles
WARNING: Utility vehicles have asignificantly higher rollover rate thanother types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please readthis Owner’s Guide carefully. Your vehicleis not a passenger car. As with othervehicles of this type, failure to operate thisvehicle correctly may result in loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury or death.
Using Your Vehicle With aSnowplow
Do not use this vehicle forsnowplowing.
Your vehicle does not have a snowplowingpackage.
Using Your Vehicle as anAmbulance
Do not use this vehicle as anambulance.
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Your vehicle does not have the AmbulancePreparation Package.
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT
WARNING: Driving whiledistracted can result in loss of vehiclecontrol, crash and injury. We stronglyrecommend that you use extremecaution when using any device that maytake your focus off the road. Yourprimary responsibility is the safeoperation of your vehicle. Werecommend against the use of anyhand-held device while driving andencourage the use of voice-operatedsystems when possible. Make sure youare aware of all applicable local lawsthat may affect the use of electronicdevices while driving.
Using mobile communications equipmentis becoming increasingly important in theconduct of business and personal affairs.However, you must not compromise yourown or others’ safety when using suchequipment. Mobile communications canenhance personal safety and security whenappropriately used, particularly inemergency situations. Safety must beparamount when using mobilecommunications equipment to avoidnegating these benefits. Mobilecommunication equipment includes, butis not limited to, cellular phones, pagers,portable email devices, text messagingdevices and portable two-way radios.
EXPORT UNIQUE OPTIONS
For your particular global region, yourvehicle may be equipped with features andoptions that are different from the featuresand options that are described in thisOwner’s Manual. A market uniquesupplement may be supplied thatcomplements this book. By referring to themarket unique supplement, if provided,you can properly identify those features,recommendations and specifications thatare unique to your vehicle. This Owner’sManual is written primarily for the U.S. andCanadian Markets. Features or equipmentlisted as standard may be different on unitsbuilt for export.Refer to this Owner’sManual for all other requiredinformation and warnings.
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WARNING: Do not connectwireless plug-in devices to the data linkconnector. Unauthorized third partiescould gain access to vehicle data andimpair the performance of safety relatedsystems. Only allow repair facilities thatfollow our service and repair instructionsto connect their equipment to the datalink connector.
We respect your privacy and arecommitted to protecting it. Theinformation contained in this publicationwas correct at the time of release, but astechnology rapidly changes, werecommend that you visit the local Fordwebsite for the latest information.
Your vehicle has electronic control unitsthat have data recording functionality andthe ability to permanently or temporarilystore data. This data could includeinformation on the condition and status ofyour vehicle, vehicle maintenancerequirements, events and malfunctions.The types of data that can be recorded aredescribed in this section. Some of the datarecorded is stored in event logs or errorlogs.
Note:Error logs are reset following a serviceor repair.
Note:We may provide information inresponse to requests from law enforcement,other government authorities and thirdparties acting with lawful authority orthrough a legal process. Such informationcould be used by them in legal proceedings.
Data recorded includes, for example:
•Operating states of systemcomponents, for example fuel level,tire pressure and battery charge level.
•Vehicle and component status, forexample wheel speed, deceleration,lateral acceleration and seatbeltstatus.
•Events or errors in essential systems,for example headlamps and brakes.
•System responses to driving situations,for example airbag deployment andstability control.
•Environmental conditions, for exampletemperature.
Some of this data, when used incombination with other information, forexample an accident report, damage to avehicle or eyewitness statements, couldbe associated with a specific person.
Services That We Provide
If you use our services, we collect and usedata, for example account information,vehicle location and driving characteristics,that could identify you. We transmit thisdata through a dedicated, protectedconnection. We only collect and use datato enable your use of our services to whichyou have subscribed, with your consent orwhere permitted by law. For additionalinformation, see the terms and conditionsof the services to which you havesubscribed.
For additional information about ourprivacy policy, refer to the local Fordwebsite.
Services That Third PartiesProvide
We recommend that you review the termsand conditions and data privacyinformation for any services equipped withyour vehicle or to which you subscribe. Wetake no responsibility for services that thirdparties provide.
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SERVICE DATA
Service data recorders in your vehicle arecapable of collecting and storingdiagnostic information about your vehicle.This potentially includes information aboutthe performance or status of varioussystems and modules in the vehicle, suchas engine, throttle, steering or brakesystems. In order to properly diagnose andservice your vehicle, Ford Motor Company(Ford of Canada in Canada), and serviceand repair facilities may access or shareamong them vehicle diagnosticinformation received through a directconnection to your vehicle whendiagnosing or servicing your vehicle.Additionally, Ford Motor Company (Fordof Canada, in Canada) may, wherepermitted by law, use vehicle diagnosticinformation for vehicle improvement orwith other information we may have aboutyou, for example, your contact information,to offer you products or services that mayinterest you. Data may be provided to ourservice providers such as part suppliersthat may help diagnose malfunctions, andwho are similarly obligated to protect data.We retain this data only as long asnecessary to perform these functions or tocomply with law. We may provideinformation where required in response toofficial requests to law enforcement orother government authorities or thirdparties acting with lawful authority or courtorder, and such information may be usedin legal proceedings. For U.S. only (ifequipped), if you choose to use connectedapps and services, you consent that certaindiagnostic information may also beaccessed electronically by Ford MotorCompany and Ford authorized servicefacilities, and that the diagnosticinformation may be used to provideservices to you, personalizing yourexperience, troubleshoot, and to improveproducts and services and offer youproducts and services that may interest
you, where permitted by law. For Canadaonly, for more information, please reviewthe Ford of Canada privacy policy atwww.ford.ca, including our U.S. datastorage and use of service providers inother jurisdictions who may be subject tolegal requirements in Canada, the UnitedStates and other countries applicable tothem, for example, lawful requirements todisclose personal information togovernmental authorities in thosecountries.
EVENT DATA
This vehicle is equipped with an event datarecorder. The main purpose of an eventdata recorder is to record, in certain crashor near crash-like situations, such as anairbag deployment or hitting a roadobstacle; this data will assist inunderstanding how a vehicle’s systemsperformed. The event data recorder isdesigned to record data related to vehicledynamics and safety systems for a shortperiod of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The event data recorder in this vehicle isdesigned to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehiclewere operating.
•Whether or not the driver andpassenger seatbelts werebuckled/fastened.
•How far (if at all) the driver wasdepressing the accelerator and/or thebrake pedal.
•How fast the vehicle was traveling.
•Where the driver was positioning thesteering wheel.
This data can help provide a betterunderstanding of the circumstances inwhich crashes and injuries occur.
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