FORD EXPLORER 2021 Owners Manual

4WD
Action
Message
The four wheel drive system has automatically disabled itself due to the system overheating.
4WD Temporarily
Disabled
The four wheel drive system is locking up the torque transfer clutch to help reduce clutch temperature.
4WD Temporarily
Locked
Displays when the system automatically disables to protect itself.
This may be caused by operating the vehicle with a mini spare tire installed, if the system detects dissimilar size tires, or if there is an
issue with another vehicle system preventing 4WD operation. The system resumes normal operation and clears this message after
you cycle the ignition on and off and drive a short distance with the road tire re-installed or after the other vehicle system issues are resolved.
4WD Off
Displays after the system cools and the four wheel drive system resumes normal function.
4WD Restored
The four wheel drive system is not operating properly and the
powertrain fault indicator illuminates. If the warning stays illumin- ated or continues to illuminate, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
4WD Fault Service
Required
Displayed when the transfer case fluid requires service.
Change 4WD
Power Transfer Unit Lube
Displayed when the transfer case fluid has been changed and reset to new.
4WD Power
Transfer Unit Lube Set to New
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Information Displays

AUTOMATIC CLIMATE
CONTROL
Note:
Depending on your vehicle option
package, the controls may look different
from what you see here.
Note: You can switch temperature units
between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Note: You can control some of the climate
features through the touchscreen.
Note: For Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
vehicles, the air conditioning compressor
may run, and you may feel airflow when the
climate control is off to provide cooling to
the battery.
Accessing the Air Distribution
Controls Press and release the button to
activate the selection screen.
From the screen, switch directed air from
the windshield, instrument panel or
footwell vents on or off. You can direct air
through any combination of these vents.
See Climate (page 451).
Accessing the Menu Press and release the button to
access different climate
features. Smart Zone - Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(HEV), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(PHEV)
If there is not an occupant in the front
passenger seat, the climate control system
may default to single zone to improve fuel
economy, if you were previously in dual
zone operation. When this occurs, dual
zone turns off and the passenger set point
changes to match the driver set point.
Press the dual zone button on the
touchscreen or adjust the passenger set
point normally to use dual zone operation
without a passenger present. The system
remains in dual zone operation until you
switch the vehicle off.
You can disable or re-enable the Smart
Zone feature by pressing and holding the
dual zone button on the touchscreen. Both
set point displays begin flashing to signify
when the feature disables. The system
returns to previous state after you release
the dual zone button.
Accessing Rear Climate Controls
Press and release the button to
access additional controls for
the rear climate system.
Setting the Blower Motor Speed Press and release + or - to adjust
the volume of air circulated in
the vehicle.
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Setting the Temperature
Press the toggle button on the left-hand
side of the climate control upward or
downward to set the left-hand
temperature.
Note:
This control also adjusts the
right-hand side temperature when you
switch off dual zone mode.
Press the toggle button on the right-hand
side of the climate control upward or
downward to set the right-hand
temperature. Switching Auto Mode On and Off Press and release the button to
switch on automatic operation.
Repeatedly press the button to
adjust auto mode.
The system adjusts the blower motor
speed, air distribution, air conditioning
operation, and outside or recirculated air
to reach and maintain the temperature you
have set.
Under high humidity conditions, the system
adjusts the blower motor speed, air
distribution and air conditioning operation
to reduce window fogging.
Note: The system starts at the previous
setting when you switch on AUTO mode.
Note: You can also switch off dual zone
mode by pressing and holding the button
for more than two seconds.
Auto Mode Indicator Status Description
Auto Mode Indicator
Status
One indicator illumin-
ated. •
The blower motor speed is reduced.
•Use this setting to minimize the amount of noise from
the blower motor.
• This setting increases the time taken to cool the
interior.
Two indicators illumin-
ated. •
The blower motor speed is moderate.
Three indicators illumin-
ated. •
The blower motor speed is increased.
•Use this setting to reduce the time taken to cool the
interior.
• This setting increases the amount of noise from the
blower motor.
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Switching the Air Conditioning On
and Off
Press and release the button.
Use air conditioning with recirculated air
to improve cooling performance and
efficiency.
Note: In certain conditions, for example,
maximum defrost, the air conditioning
compressor may continue to operate even
though you switch off the air conditioning.
Note: The A/C LED light may turn on and
off based on the temperature setting or the
current conditions.
Switching the Climate Control On
and Off Press and release the button.
Switching Maximum Air
Conditioning On and Off Press and release the button for
maximum cooling.
The driver and passenger temperatures
are set to LO, recirculated air flows through
the instrument panel air vents, air
conditioning turns on and the blower motor
adjusts to the highest speed.
Switching Maximum Defrost On
and Off Press and release the button for
maximum defrosting.
The driver and passenger temperatures
are set to HI, air flows through the
windshield air vents, and the blower motor
adjusts to the highest speed. Note:
Depending on your region, air
conditioning turns on.
You can also use this setting to defog and
clear the windshield of a thin covering of
ice.
Note: To prevent window fogging, you
cannot select recirculated air when
maximum defrost is on.
Note: The heated rear window also turns
on when you select maximum defrost.
Switching Recirculated Air On and
Off Press and release the button to
switch between outside air and
recirculated air.
The air currently in the passenger
compartment recirculates. This may
reduce the time needed to cool the interior,
when used with A/C, and reduce unwanted
odors from entering your vehicle.
Note: Recirculated air may turn off, or
prevent you from switching on, in all air flow
modes except
MAX A/C to reduce the risk
of fogging. Recirculation may also turn on
and off in various air distribution control
combinations during hot weather to improve
cooling efficiency.
HINTS ON CONTROLLING THE
INTERIOR CLIMATE
General Hints
Note: Prolonged use of recirculated air may
cause the windows to fog up.
Note: You may feel a small amount of air
from the footwell air vents regardless of the
air distribution setting.
Note: To reduce humidity build-up inside
your vehicle, do not drive with the system
switched off or with recirculated air always
switched on.
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Note:
Do not place objects under the front
seats as this may interfere with the airflow
to the rear seats.
Note: Remove any snow, ice or leaves from
the air intake area at the base of the
windshield.
Note: To improve the time to reach a
comfortable temperature in hot weather,
drive with the windows open until you feel
cold air through the air vents.
Automatic Climate Control
Note: Adjusting the settings when your
vehicle interior is extremely hot or cold is
not necessary. Automatic mode is best
recommended to maintain set temperature.
Note: The system adjusts to heat or cool
the interior to the temperature you select
as quickly as possible.
Note: For the system to function efficiently,
the instrument panel and side air vents
should be fully open.
Note: If you select AUTO during cold
outside temperatures, the system directs
air flow to the windshield and side window
air vents. In addition, the blower motor may
run at a slower speed until the engine warms
up.
Note: If you select
AUTO during hot
temperatures and the inside of the vehicle
is hot, the system uses recirculated air to
maximize interior cooling. Blower motor
speed may also reduce until the air cools.
Quickly Heating the Interior
1. Press and release
AUTO.
2. Adjust the temperature function to the
setting you prefer.
Recommended Settings for
Heating
1. Press and release
AUTO. 2.
Adjust the temperature function to the
setting you prefer. Use
72°F (22°C) as
a starting point, then adjust the setting
as necessary.
Quickly Cooling the Interior
1. Press and release
MAX A/C.
Recommended Settings for
Cooling
1. Press and release
AUTO.
2. Adjust the temperature function to the
setting you prefer. Use
72°F (22°C) as
a starting point, then adjust the setting
as necessary.
Defogging the Side Windows in
Cold Weather
1. Press and release defrost or maximum
defrost.
2. Adjust the temperature control to the setting you prefer. Use
72°F (22°C) as
a starting point, then adjust the setting
as necessary.
REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE
CONTROLS Note:
Depending on your vehicle option
package, the controls may look different
from what you see here.
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Directing Air to the Overhead Air
Vents
Press and release the button to
direct airflow to the overhead air
vents.
Directing Air to the Rear Footwell
Air Vents Press and release the button to
direct airflow to rear footwell air
vents.
Rear Climate Control Lock
Indicator When illuminated, you can only
operate the rear passenger
settings through the front
controls.
Setting the Rear Blower Motor
Speed Turn the control to adjust the volume of
air circulated in the rear passenger
compartment. Setting the Rear Temperature
Turn the control to set the temperature in
the rear passenger compartment.
Switching the Rear Climate
Control On and Off
Press and release the button.
Switching the Rear Heated Seats
On and Off (If Equipped) See
Heated Seats (page 158).
HEATED WINDSHIELD
(IF
EQUIPPED)
Windshield Wiper De-Icer When you switch the heated rear
window on, the windshield wiper
de-icer turns on.
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HEATED REAR WINDOW
Press the button to clear the rear
window of thin ice and fog. The
heated rear window turns off
after a short period of time.
Note: Do not use harsh chemicals, razor
blades or other sharp objects to clean or
remove decals from the inside of the heated
rear window. The vehicle warranty may not
cover damage to the heated rear window
grid lines.
HEATED EXTERIOR MIRRORS
(IF EQUIPPED)
When you switch the heated rear window
on, the heated exterior mirrors turn on.
Note: Do not remove ice from the mirrors
with a scraper or adjust the mirror glass
when it is frozen in place.
Note: Do not clean the mirror housing or
glass with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum-based cleaning products. The
vehicle warranty may not cover damage
caused to the mirror housing or glass.
REMOTE START (IF EQUIPPED)
The climate control system adjusts the
interior temperature during remote start.
You can switch this feature on or off and
adjust the settings using the touchscreen.
See
Settings (page 464).
You cannot adjust the climate control
setting during remote start operation.
Switch the ignition on to make
adjustments. Based on your remote start settings, the
following vehicle-dependent features may
or may not remain on after remote starting
your vehicle:
•
Climate controlled seats.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Heated mirrors.
• Heated rear window.
• Windshield wiper de-icer.
Note: For dual zone climate controlled
seats, the passenger seat setting defaults
to match the driver seat during remote start.
Automatic Settings
If
Auto is on, the system sets the interior
temperature to 72°F (22°C) and heats or
cools the vehicle interior as required to
achieve comfort.
Note: In cold weather, the heated rear
window and heated mirrors turn on.
Last Settings
If
Last Settings is on, the system uses the
settings last selected before you turned
off the vehicle.
Heated and Cooled Features
In Auto mode, certain heated features may
switch on during cold weather, and cooled
features during hot weather.
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WHAT IS THE CABIN AIR
FILTER
The cabin air filter improves the quality of
air in your vehicle by trapping dust, pollen
and other particles.
REPLACING THE CABIN AIR
FILTER
Replace the filter at regular intervals. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 482).
The cabin air filter is behind the glove
compartment.
To remove the lower glove compartment
and access the filter:
1. Open the glove compartment. 2. Press the tab on each side.
3. Fully lower the glove compartment.
4. Pull the glove compartment toward
you.
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SITTING IN THE CORRECT
POSITION
WARNING: Sitting improperly, out
of position or with the seatback reclined
too far can take weight off the seat
cushion and affect the decision of the
passenger sensing system, resulting in
serious injury or death in the event of a
crash. Always sit upright against your
seat back, with your feet on the floor. WARNING: Do not recline the seat
backrest too far as this can cause the
occupant to slide under the seatbelt,
resulting in personal injury in the event
of a crash. WARNING:
Do not place objects
higher than the top of the seat backrest.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in personal injury or death in the
event of a sudden stop or crash. When you use them properly, the seat,
head restraint, seatbelt and airbags will
provide optimum protection in the event
of a crash. We recommend that you follow these
guidelines:
•
Sit in an upright position with the base
of your spine as far back as possible.
• Do not recline the seat backrest so that
your torso is more than 30 degrees
from the upright position.
• Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of it is level with the top of your
head and as far forward as possible.
Make sure that you remain
comfortable.
• Keep sufficient distance between
yourself and the steering wheel. We
recommend a minimum of
10 in
(25 cm) between your breastbone and
the airbag cover.
• Hold the steering wheel with your arms
slightly bent.
• Bend your legs slightly so that you can
press the pedals fully.
• Position the shoulder strap of the
seatbelt over the center of your
shoulder and position the lap strap
tightly across your hips.
Make sure that your driving position is
comfortable and that you can maintain full
control of your vehicle.
HEAD RESTRAINTS WARNING:
Fully adjust the head
restraint before you sit in or operate your
vehicle. This will help minimize the risk
of neck injury in the event of a crash. Do
not adjust the head restraint when your
vehicle is moving.
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WARNING: The head restraint is a
safety device. Whenever possible it
should be installed and properly
adjusted when the seat is occupied.
Failure to adjust the head restraint
properly could reduce its effectiveness
during certain impacts.
Note: Adjust the seat backrest to an upright
driving position before adjusting the head
restraint. Adjust the head restraint so that
the top of it is level with the top of your head
and as far forward as possible. Make sure
that you remain comfortable. If you are
extremely tall, adjust the head restraint to
its highest position.
Adjusting the Head Restraints
Front Seat Head Restraints The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve adjust and release
button.
C
Raising the Head Restraint
Pull the head restraint up. Lowering the Head Restraint
1. Press and hold the C button.
2. Push the head restraint down.
Second Row Center Seat Head
Restraint (If Equipped)
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve adjust and release
buttons.
C
Removing the Head Restraint
1. Press and hold the C buttons.
2. Pull the head restraint up.
Installing the Head Restraint
Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves
and push the head restraint down until it
locks.
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