USB FORD EXPLORER 2021 User Guide

Function
Button
For MP3 CDs, this button allows you to toggle through repeat
off, repeat one track (a small number one displays), and repeat
current folder (a small folder displays).
Select the shuffle symbol to have the audio on the disk play
in random order.
Shuffle
You can use the forward, reverse, pause or
play buttons to control the audio playback. Bluetooth Stereo or USB
Bluetooth Stereo and USB allow you to
access media that you store on your
Bluetooth device or USB device such as
music, audio books or podcasts.
The following buttons are available for Bluetooth and USB: Function
Button
Pressing the repeat button toggles the repeat setting through
three modes: repeat off (button not highlighted), repeat all
(button highlighted) and repeat track (button highlighted with
a small number one).
Repeat
Play the tracks in random order.
Shuffle
You can use the forward, reverse, pause or
play buttons to control the audio playback.
To get more information about the
currently playing track, press the cover art
or Info button. For some devices, SYNC 3 is able to
provide 30-second skip buttons when you
listen to audio books or podcasts. These
buttons allow you to skip forward or
backward within a track.
While playing audio from a USB device you
can look for certain music by selecting the
following: Function
Button
If available, displays the list of tracks in the
Now Playing playlist.
Browse
This option, which is available under
browse, allows you to play all tracks or to
filter the available media into one of the
below categories.
New Search
Play All
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3

Function
Button
Playlists
Artist
Albums
Songs
Genres
Podcasts
Audio books
Composers
This button allows you to choose a specific
letter to view within the category you are
browsing.
A-Z Jump
If available, this allows you to browse the
folders and files on your USB device.
Explore Device
USB Ports The USB ports are in the center console or
behind a small access door in the
instrument panel.
This feature allows you to plug in USB
media devices, memory sticks, flash drives
or thumb drives, and charge devices if they
support this feature. Select this option to play audio from your
USB device.
Apps
The system supports the use of certain
audio apps such as iHeartRadio through a
USB or Bluetooth enabled device.
Each app gives you different on-screen
options depending on the app's content.
See Apps (page 461).
Supported Media Players, Formats
and Metadata Information
The system is capable of hosting nearly
any digital media player, including iPod,
iPhone, and most USB drives.
Supported audio formats include MP3,
WMA, WAV, AAC, and FLAC.
Supported audio file extensions include
MP3, WMA, WAV, M4A, M4B, AAC, and
FLAC.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3E211463

Supported USB file systems include: FAT,
exFAT, and NTFS.
SYNC 3 is also able to organize the media
from your USB device by metadata tags.
Metadata tags, which are descriptive
software identifiers embedded in the
media files, provide information about the
file.
If your indexed media files contain no
information embedded in these metadata
tags, SYNC 3 may classify the empty
metadata tags as unknown.
SYNC 3 is capable of indexing up to
50,000 songs per USB device, for up to 10
devices.
CLIMATE
Touch the climate button on the
touchscreen to access your climate control
features.
Note:
You can switch temperature units
between Fahrenheit and Celsius. See
Settings (page 464).
Accessing the Climate Control
Menu Touch the button to access
additional controls for the front
climate system.
Directing the Airflow Touch the button to direct
airflow to the windshield air
vents and de-mister.
Touch the button to direct
airflow to the instrument panel
air vents.
Touch the button to direct
airflow to the footwell air vents. You can direct air through any combination
of these air vents.
Setting the Blower Motor Speed Touch up or down to increase or
decrease the volume of air that
circulates in your vehicle.
Setting the Temperature
Touch up or down on the left-hand
temperature control to set the left-hand
temperature.
Note: This control also adjusts the
right-hand side temperature when you
switch off dual zone mode.
Touch up or down on the right-hand
temperature control to set the right-hand
temperature.
Switching Auto Mode On and Off Touch the button to switch on
automatic operation, then set
the temperature.
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.
Switching the Air Conditioning On
and Off A pop-up appears on the screen
to display the air conditioning
options.
MAX A/C:
Touch the button to activate
and maximize cooling. The driver and
passenger temperatures are set to LO,
recirculated air flows through the
instrument panel vents, air conditioning
automatically turns on and the fan
automatically adjusts to the highest speed.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3E265038 E244097

Using Text Messaging
Description
Menu Item
Hear the text message.
Hear It
View the text message.
View
Call the sender.
Call
Reply to the text message with a standard text message.
Reply
Apple CarPlay (If Equipped)
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note: Certain features of the system are
not available when you are using Apple
CarPlay.
Switching Apple CarPlay Off Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Apple CarPlay Preferences.
2. Switch
Apple CarPlay off.
Android Auto
(If Equipped)
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note: You might need to enable Android
Auto from the settings menu.
Note: Certain features of the system are
not available when you are using Android
Auto.
Switching Android Auto Off Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Android Auto. 2. Switch
Android Auto off.
NAVIGATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Note: For more information, refer to our
website. Select the navigation option on
the feature bar.
Map view menu.
A
Zoom out.
B
Zoom in.
C
Route guidance menu.
D
Destination entry menu.
E
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3 E297557

SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link (If
Equipped)
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link is available
on vehicles equipped with navigation and
only in select markets. You must activate
and subscribe to receive SiriusXM Traffic
and Travel Link information. It helps you
locate the best gas prices, find movie
listings, get current traffic alerts, view the
weather map, get accurate ski conditions
and see current sports scores.
The system calculates a reasonable
efficient route based on available speed
limits, traffic, and road conditions. You may
know a local short cut that is more efficient
at a given time than the route provided by
SYNC 3, but you should expect a slight
difference in minutes or miles with the
SYNC 3 route.
Michelin Travel Guide (If Equipped)
The Michelin travel guide is a service which
provides additional information about
certain places of interest, for example
restaurants, hotels and tourist sites. Points
of interest that have Michelin travel guide
information display a button to show you
more information. Push the button to see
the additional information. If you have
paired your phone with the system, you
can press the phone button to directly
establish a call with the selected point of
interest.
Navigation Map Accuracy and
Updates
HERE is the digital map provider for the
navigation application. If you find map data
errors, you may report them directly to
HERE by going to www.here.com. HERE
evaluates all reported map errors and
responds with the result of their
investigation by e-mail. The navigation system map data may
contain inaccurate or incomplete
information due to the passage of time,
changing circumstances, sources used and
the nature of collecting comprehensive
geographic data, any of which may lead to
incorrect results. Inaccurate speed limit
information, turn restrictions and other
road attributes may affect the determined
route and associated guidance
Annual navigation map updates are
available for purchase through your
dealership. Depending on your purchase
agreement, you might be eligible for free
Map update. You can choose to download
the Map data update onto a USB, order a
USB, or use Wi-Fi to deliver automatic
updates. To update your Map data over
Wi-Fi, your vehicle must be connected to
a Wi-Fi access point. Map Data files are
large, so it is highly recommended to
perform the update when free Wi-Fi is
available otherwise high data rates may
apply. For USB updates, free map update
eligibility, and other details, contact
dealers at 1-866-462-8837 in the United
States and Canada or 01-800-557-5539
in Mexico or visit our local website for more
information.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
INFORMATION
Power Flow
The power flow information for
your hybrid vehicle is available
through the home screen or
under Apps
Vehicle Operational States
Power will flow to or from the front and
rear wheels depending on operational
state and drive conditions.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3E260071

When you start an app through the system
for the first time, you could be asked to
grant certain permissions. You can review
and change the permissions that you have
granted at any time when your vehicle is
not moving. We recommend that you
check your data plan before using your
apps through the system. Using them
could result in additional charges. We also
recommend that you check the app
provider's terms and conditions and
privacy policy before using their app. Make
sure that you have an active account for
apps that you want to use through the
system. Some apps will work with no
setup. Others require you to configure
some personal settings before you can use
them.
Note:
For more information about available
apps, visit catalog.ford.com.
Using Apps on an iOS Device Select the apps option on the
feature bar.
1. If your device is connected via USB, switch Apple CarPlay off. See Phone
(page 453).
2. Connect your device to a USB port or pair and connect using Bluetooth.
3. If prompted to enable CarPlay, select Disable
.
4. Start the apps on your device that you want to use through SYNC.
Note: If you close the apps on your device,
you will not be able to use them through the
system.
5. Select the app that you want to use on
the touchscreen.
Note: Connect your device to a USB port if
you want to use a navigation app. When
using a navigation app, keep your device
unlocked and the app open. Using Apps on an Android Device Select the apps option on the
feature bar.
1. If your device is connected via USB, switch Android Auto off. See
Phone
(page 453).
2. Pair your device. See Phone (page 453
).
3. Start the apps on your device that you want to use through SYNC.
Note: If you close the apps on your device,
you will not be able to use them through the
system.
4. Select
Find Mobile Apps.
Note: The system searches and connects
to compatible apps that are running on your
device.
5. Select the app that you want to use on
the touchscreen.
Note: Mobile Apps on your device use the
USB port to establish a connection with
SYNC. Some devices may lose the ability to
play music over USB when Mobile Apps are
enabled.
Using Mobile Navigation on an
Android Device
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Switch Android Auto off. See
Phone
(page 453).
3. Switch on
Enable Mobile Apps via
USB in the Mobile Apps Settings tile.
4. Select the apps option on the feature bar.
5. Select the navigation app that you want to use on the touchscreen.
Note: When using a navigation app, keep
your device unlocked and the app open.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3

SYNC™ 3 TROUBLESHOOTING
Voice Recognition
Possible Cause and Resolution
Symptom
The system does not under-
stand what I am saying. –
You are using the wrong voice commands.
•See Using Voice Recognition (page 435).
• For a complete list of voice commands, refer to our
website.
– You are speaking too soon.
•Wait for the voice prompt before you speak.
The system does not under-
stand the name of a track or
artist. –
Device limitation. Bluetooth does not support voice
commands.
•Connect your device to a USB port.
• If you have an iOS device, press and hold the voice
control button on the steering wheel to use Siri to
play specific tracks.
– You are using the wrong voice commands.
•See
Using Voice Recognition (page 435).
• For a complete list of voice commands, refer to our
website.
– You are not saying the name exactly as it appears on
your device.
•Say the name of the track or artist exactly as it
appears on your device. Spell out any abbreviations
in the name.
The song or artist name may have some special char-
acters that are not being recognized by the system.
– The name contains special characters, for example *,
- or +.
•Rename the files on your device or use the touch-
screen to select and play the track.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3

Possible Cause and Resolution
Symptom
–You are not saying the name exactly as it appears on
your device.
•Say the first and last name of the contact exactly
as it appears on your device. Spell out any abbrevi-
ations in the name.
– The name contains special characters, for example *,
- or +.
•Rename the contact on your device or use the
touchscreen to select and call the contact.
The system does not under-
stand the name of a contact
in the phonebook on my
device and calls the wrong
contact.
–You are not saying the name exactly as it appears on
your device.
•Say the first and last name of the contact exactly
as it appears on your device. The system applies
phonetic pronunciation rules of the selected
language to the names of contacts in the phone-
book on your device. Select the name of the
contact on the touchscreen and use the Hear it
option to get an idea of how the system expects
you to pronounce it.
The system does not under-
stand foreign names of
contacts in the phonebook
on my device.
–Device limitation.
•The system uses text-to-speech technology and
uses a synthetically generated voice rather than
pre-recorded human voice.
The system voice prompts
and the pronunciation of
some words does not seem
to be very accurate.
USB and Bluetooth Audio Possible Cause and Resolution
Symptom
I cannot connect my device. –Device malfunction.
•Disconnect your device. Switch your device off,
reset it and try again.
– Cable connection issue.
•Correctly connect the cable to your device and the
vehicle USB port.
– Incompatible cable.
•Use the cable recommended by the manufacturer
of your device.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3

Possible Cause and Resolution
Symptom
–Incorrect device settings.
•Make sure that your device does not have an auto-
install program or active security settings.
• Check that your device is not set only to charge.
– Device lock screen enabled.
•Unlock your device before connecting it.
The system does not recog-
nize my device. –
Device limitation.
•Do not leave your device in your vehicle during very
hot or very cold weather conditions.
– Cable connection issue.
•Correctly connect the cable to your device and the
vehicle USB port.
– Incompatible cable.
•Use the cable recommended by the manufacturer
of your device.
The system does not under-
stand the name of a track or
artist. –
Device limitation. Bluetooth does not support voice
commands.
•Connect your device to a USB port.
• If you have an iOS device, press and hold the voice
control button on the steering wheel to use Siri to
play specific tracks.
I cannot stream audio from
my Bluetooth device. –
Incompatible device.
•Check the compatibility of your device on our
website.
– Device not connected.
•Pair your device. See Phone (page 453).
– Media player not running.
•Start the media player on your device.
The system does not recog-
nize the music on my device. –
Missing or incorrect audio file metadata, for example
artist, song title, album or genre.
•Repair the files on your device.
– Corrupt files.
•Repair the files on your device.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3

Possible Cause and Resolution
Symptom
–Copyright protected files.
•Use a device that contains files that are not copy-
right protected.
– Unsupported file format.
•Repair or convert the files to a supported format.
See Entertainment (page 441).
– Device indexing required.
•Re-index your device. See
Settings (page 464).
– Device lock screen enabled.
•Unlock your device before connecting it.
Sometimes I cannot hear a
track playing on my device. –
Device malfunction.
•Disconnect your device. Switch your device off,
reset it and try again.
When I disconnect my iOS
device the audio volume is
set to maximum. –
Device limitation.
•Turn the volume down on your device
If the system does not play the tracks on your USB device
in the correct order, the following information could help:
The system does not play
the tracks on my USB drive
in the correct order.
–If you are selecting USB as the audio source when the
system is still indexing, SYNC plays tracks sorted
alphabetically by file name in the root directory.
– If you are selecting USB as the audio source after the
system has finished indexing, SYNC plays all tracks
sorted alphabetically by the title in the ID3 tag
regardless of where they are located. SYNC uses the
file name if the title in the ID3 Tag does not exist.
– If you are selecting the option to play all tracks from
the browsing menu, SYNC plays all tracks sorted
alphabetically by the title in the ID3 tag regardless of
where they are located. SYNC uses the file name if the
title in the ID3 Tag does not exist.
– If you are selecting a track when using the explore
device option, SYNC plays tracks sorted alphabetically
by file name in the folder you have selected. SYNC
then plays all tracks in any subfolders in the folder you
have selected.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3