FORD EXPLORER 2021 Owners Manual

ML2J 19A321 AB
2021 EXPLORER Owner’s Manual
ford.caowner.ford.com
2021 EXPLORER Owner’s Manual
January 2021
Second Printing Litho in U.S.A.

The information contained in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. In the interest of
continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications, design or equipment at any time
without notice or obligation. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a
retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by any means without our written permission.
Errors and omissions excepted.
© Ford Motor Company 2020
All rights reserved.
Part Number: 202007 20201207115223
California Proposition 65
WARNING: Operating, servicing and
maintaining a passenger vehicle or off-highway
motor vehicle can expose you to chemicals
including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide,
phthalates, and lead, which are known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To minimize
exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle the
engine except as necessary, service your vehicle
in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves or wash
your hands frequently when servicing your vehicle.
For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle. WARNING:
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash your hands after handling
.

Introduction
About This Manual
..........................................9
Symbols Glossary ............................................
9
Perchlorate ........................................................
11
Ford Credit .........................................................
11
Replacement Parts Recommendation ........................................................................\
....
12
Special Notices ...............................................
12
Mobile Communications Equipment ........................................................................\
....
13
Export Unique Options ................................
14
Data Privacy
Data Privacy .....................................................
15
Service Data .....................................................
16
Event Data ........................................................
16
Settings Data ...................................................
17
Connected Vehicle Data ..............................
17
Mobile Device Data .......................................
18
Emergency Call System Data ....................
18
Environment
Protecting the Environment .......................
19
At a Glance
At a Glance - ST ............................................
20
Instrument Panel ............................................
21
Child Safety
General Information .....................................
23
Installing Child Restraints ..........................
25
Booster Seats .................................................
33
Child Restraint Positioning ........................
35
Child Safety Locks ........................................
36
Seatbelts
Principle of Operation .................................
38
Fastening the Seatbelts .............................
39
Seatbelt Height Adjustment ......................
41Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator
Chime .............................................................
41
Seatbelt Reminder ........................................
42
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance ...............................................
43
Seatbelt Extensions .....................................
44
Personal Safety System ™
Personal Safety System ™.........................
45
Supplementary Restraints System
Principle of Operation .................................
46
Driver and Passenger Airbags ...................
47
Front Passenger Sensing System ...........
48
Side Airbags ....................................................
50
Driver and Passenger Knee Airbags ........
51
Safety Canopy ™.............................................
51
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator .......
52
Airbag Disposal ..............................................
53
Pedestrian Protection - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
Pedestrian Alert System ............................
54
911 Assist
What Is 911 Assist ..........................................
55
Emergency Call Requirements ................
55
Emergency Call Limitations ......................
56
Keys and Remote Controls
General Information on Radio Frequencies .................................................
57
Remote Control ..............................................
57
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control ........................................................................\
..
63
MyKey ™
Principle of Operation .................................
64
Creating a MyKey ..........................................
65
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Clearing All MyKeys
......................................66
Checking MyKey System Status .............
66
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems ........................................................
67
MyKey – Troubleshooting ..........................
67
Doors and Locks
Locking and Unlocking ...............................
69
Keyless Entry ...................................................
72
Liftgate
Power Liftgate ................................................
74
Security
Passive Anti-Theft System ........................
78
Anti-Theft Alarm ...........................................
78
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column .........................................................
80
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column .........................................................
80
Audio Control ..................................................
82
Voice Control ..................................................
82
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go .......
82
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Cruise Control ..........................................................
83
Information Display Control ......................
83
Heated Steering Wheel ..............................
83
Horn ....................................................................
83
Wipers and Washers
Windshield Wipers .......................................
84
Autowipers ......................................................
84
Windshield Washers ....................................
85
Rear Window Wiper and Washers .........
86Lighting
General Information
.....................................
87
Lighting Control .............................................
87
Autolamps .......................................................
88
Instrument Lighting Dimmer ....................
88
Headlamp Exit Delay ...................................
88
Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Configurable Daytime Running Lamps
........................................................................\
..
89
Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) .........
89
Front Fog Lamps ...........................................
89
Adaptive Headlamps ..................................
90
Direction Indicators ......................................
90
Interior Lamps .................................................
91
Ambient Lighting - Vehicles With: 8 Inch Information and Entertainment Display
Screen ...........................................................
92
Ambient Lighting - Vehicles With: 10.1 Inch Information and Entertainment
Display Screen ...........................................
92
Automatic High Beam Control
What Is Automatic High Beam Control ........................................................................\
..
94
Switching Automatic High Beam Control On and Off ...................................................
94
Automatic High Beam Control Indicators ........................................................................\
..
94
Overriding Automatic High Beam Control ........................................................................\
..
95
Windows and Mirrors
Power Windows ............................................
96
Global Opening ..............................................
97
Exterior Mirrors - Excluding: ST ................
97
Exterior Mirrors - ST .....................................
98
Interior Mirror ................................................
100
Sun Visors ......................................................
100
Moonroof .........................................................
101
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Instrument Cluster
Gauges - Vehicles With: 6.5 Inch
Instrument Cluster Display Screen
........................................................................\
.103
Gauges - Vehicles With: 12.3 Inch Instrument Cluster Display Screen
........................................................................\
104
Gauges - Vehicles With: 4.2 Inch Instrument Cluster Display Screen
........................................................................\
106
Warning Lamps and Indicators ..............
107
Audible Warnings and Indicators .............
111
Information Displays
General Information - Vehicles With: 6.5 Inch Instrument Cluster Display Screen
........................................................................\
..
112
General Information - Vehicles With: 12.3 Inch Instrument Cluster Display Screen
........................................................................\
..
114
General Information - Vehicles With: 4.2 Inch Instrument Cluster Display Screen
........................................................................\
..
117
Personalized Settings .................................
119
Information Messages ................................
121
Climate Control
Automatic Climate Control .....................
139
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate ........................................................................\
..
141
Rear Passenger Climate Controls .........
142
Heated Windshield .....................................
143
Heated Rear Window .................................
144
Heated Exterior Mirrors .............................
144
Remote Start ................................................
144
Interior Air Quality
What Is the Cabin Air Filter ......................
145
Replacing the Cabin Air Filter ..................
145
Seats
Sitting in the Correct Position .................
146Head Restraints
...........................................
146
Manual Seats ................................................
148
Power Seats ..................................................
149
Memory Function .........................................
152
Rear Seats ......................................................
153
Heated Seats ................................................
158
Ventilated Seats ..........................................
159
Rear Occupant Alert System
What is the Rear Occupant Alert System ........................................................................\
160
How Does the Rear Occupant Alert System Work ............................................
160
Rear Occupant Alert System Precautions ........................................................................\
160
Rear Occupant Alert System Limitations ........................................................................\
160
Switching Rear Occupant Alert System On and Off .................................................
160
Rear Occupant Alert System Indicators ........................................................................\
..
161
Rear Occupant Alert System Audible Warnings ......................................................
161
Garage Door Opener
Universal Garage Door Opener ..............
162
Auxiliary Power Points
Auxiliary Power Points ...............................
167
Wireless Accessory Charger ....................
168
Storage Compartments
Cup Holders .....................................................
171
Overhead Console ........................................
171
Starting and Stopping the Engine
General Information ....................................
172
Ignition Switch ...............................................
172
Keyless Starting ............................................
172
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Starting a Gasoline Engine
.......................173
Starting a Hybrid Electric Vehicle System ........................................................................\
.
176
Engine Block Heater ...................................
178
Unique Driving Characteristics
Auto-Start-Stop ..........................................
180
Hybrid Vehicle Operation .........................
182
Hybrid Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................
184
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions .....................................
185
Fuel Quality - E85 .......................................
185
Fuel Quality - Gasoline ..............................
187
Fuel Filler Funnel Location .......................
187
Running Out of Fuel ....................................
187
Refueling - Excluding: Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ...........................................
189
Refueling - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ........................................................................\
.
192
Fuel Consumption ......................................
194
Engine Emission Control
Emission Law ................................................
196
Catalytic Converter .....................................
197
High Voltage Battery
General Information - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ..........................................
200
Transmission
Automatic Transmission ..........................
201
Four-Wheel Drive
Principle of Operation ...............................
207
Using Four-Wheel Drive ...........................
207
Rear Axle
Limited Slip Differential ............................
213Brakes
General Information
...................................
214
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes ........................................................................\
.
215
Electric Parking Brake ................................
215
Hill Start Assist ..............................................
217
Auto Hold ........................................................
218
Reverse Braking Assist
What Is Reverse Braking Assist .............
220
Reverse Braking Assist Precautions .....
220
Switching Reverse Braking Assist On and Off ..................................................................
221
Overriding Reverse Braking Assist .........
221
Reverse Braking Assist Indicators ..........
221
Reverse Braking Assist – Troubleshooting ......................................
222
Traction Control
Principle of Operation ...............................
224
Using Traction Control ..............................
224
Stability Control
Principle of Operation ...............................
225
Using Stability Control ..............................
226
Hill Descent Control
What Is Hill Descent Control ..................
228
Switching Hill Descent Control On and Off ................................................................
228
Setting the Hill Descent Speed .............
228
Hill Descent Control Indicator ................
229
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation ...............................
230
Rear Parking Aid ..........................................
230
Front Parking Aid .........................................
232
Side Sensing System .................................
234
Active Park Assist .......................................
235
Rear View Camera ......................................
238
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360 Degree Camera
...................................241
Cruise Control
What Is Cruise Control ..............................
244
Switching Cruise Control On and Off ........................................................................\
244
Setting the Cruise Control Speed ........
244
Canceling the Set Speed .........................
245
Resuming the Set Speed .........................
245
Cruise Control Indicators .........................
245
Adaptive Cruise Control
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go Work .................................
246
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control With Lane Centering ........................................
246
What Is Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control ........................................................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering .............................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ..................................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering ..............................
247
Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ..................................
248
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On and Off .......................................................
250
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Speed .........................................................
250
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Gap ........................................................................\
.
251
Canceling the Set Speed .........................
252
Resuming the Set Speed .........................
252
Overriding the Set Speed .........................
252
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering ..............................
253Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators -
Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ...................................
253
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Intelligent Adaptive
Cruise Control ..........................................
253
Switching From Adaptive Cruise Control to Cruise Control .....................................
253
Switching Lane Centering On and Off ........................................................................\
254
Switching Intelligent Mode On and Off ........................................................................\
255
Adjusting the Set Speed Tolerance ......
255
Adaptive Cruise Control – Troubleshooting ......................................
256
Driving Aids
Driver Alert ....................................................
259
Lane Keeping System ...............................
260
Blind Spot Information System ............
264
Cross Traffic Alert .......................................
268
Speed Sign Recognition ............................
271
Steering ...........................................................
273
Pre-Collision Assist ....................................
273
Drive Mode Control
What Is Drive Mode Control ....................
278
Selecting a Drive Mode .............................
278
Drive Modes ..................................................
278
Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage .......................
280
Cargo Nets ....................................................
280
Luggage Covers ............................................
281
Roof Racks and Load Carriers ................
281
Load Limit ......................................................
282
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
288
Trailer Sway Control ..................................
289
Recommended Towing Weights ..........
289
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Essential Towing Checks
.........................292
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels .....
294
Driving Hints
Reduced Engine Performance ...............
295
Economical Driving ....................................
295
Cold Weather Precautions ......................
296
Breaking-In ...................................................
296
Driving Through Water .............................
296
Floor Mats ......................................................
297
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance .................................
298
Hazard Flashers ..........................................
299
Fuel Shutoff .................................................
299
Jump Starting the Vehicle ......................
300
Collision, Damage or Fire Event ............
302
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
303
Transporting the Vehicle .........................
303
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need .............
305
In California (U.S. Only) ...........................
306
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) .....................
307
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) .....................
308
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada ......................................................
308
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
.
310
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only) ........................................................................\
.
310
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
.
310
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart ...........................
312
Changing a Fuse .........................................
320Maintenance
General Information
...................................
322
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
322
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
323
Under Hood Overview - 3.0L ..................
324
Under Hood Overview - 3.3L ..................
325
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.0L ........................
326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.3L .........................
326
Engine Oil Check .........................................
326
Oil Change Indicator Reset ......................
327
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ...............................................
328
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.0L ........................................................................\
329
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.3L ....
330
Engine Coolant Check ................................
331
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ........................................................................\
335
Brake Fluid Check .......................................
335
Power Steering Fluid Check ....................
336
Changing the 12V Battery ........................
336
Adjusting the Headlamps .......................
338
Washer Fluid Check ...................................
340
Fuel Filter .......................................................
340
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
340
Changing the Front Wiper Blades ........
340
Changing the Rear Wiper Blades ...........
341
Changing a Bulb ...........................................
341
Vehicle Care
General Information ..................................
343
Cleaning Products ......................................
343
Cleaning the Exterior .................................
344
Waxing ............................................................
345
Cleaning the Engine ...................................
345
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades ........................................................................\
346
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Cleaning the Interior
..................................346
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens .......................
347
Cleaning Leather Seats .............................
347
Repairing Minor Paint Damage .............
348
Cleaning the Wheels .................................
348
Vehicle Storage ...........................................
348
Body Styling Kits ........................................
350
Wheels and Tires
General Information ...................................
351
Tire Care .........................................................
353
Using Summer Tires ..................................
366
Using Snow Chains ....................................
366
Tire Pressure Monitoring System .........
368
Changing a Road Wheel ...........................
374
Technical Specifications .........................
380
Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
382
Engine Specifications - 3.0L ..................
383
Engine Specifications - 3.0L, ST ...........
383
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline ........................................................................\
385
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ..........................
386
Transmission Specifications - ST ........
386
Motorcraft Parts - 2.3L EcoBoost™ .....
388
Motorcraft Parts - 3.0L ............................
389
Motorcraft Parts - 3.3L .............................
390
Vehicle Identification Number ................
391
Capacities and Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ................................................
391
Capacities and Specifications - 3.0L .......................................................................
398
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline .....................................................
405
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) .............
412Bulb Specification Chart
..........................
419
Connected Vehicle
What Is a Connected Vehicle ..................
421
Connected Vehicle Requirements .........
421
Connected Vehicle Limitations ..............
421
Connecting the Vehicle to a Mobile Network .......................................................
421
Connecting the Vehicle to a Wi-Fi Network - Vehicles With: SYNC 3 ......
421
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting - Vehicles With: Modem ..........................
422
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting - Vehicles With: SYNC 3 ..........................
423
Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot
Creating a Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot .........
425
Changing the Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot Name or Password ................................
425
Audio System
General Information ..................................
426
Audio Unit .....................................................
426
Digital Radio ..................................................
427
Satellite Radio .............................................
429
USB Port ........................................................
432
SYNC™ 3
General Information ..................................
433
Using Voice Recognition ..........................
435
Entertainment ..............................................
441
Climate ............................................................
451
Phone ..............................................................
453
Navigation .....................................................
455
Electric Vehicle Information ...................
460
Apps .................................................................
461
Settings ..........................................................
464
SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting ....................
466
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