instrument panel FORD EXPLORER 2021 Owner's Manual

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

A/C: Touch to switch the air conditioning
on or off. Use A/C with recirculated air to
improve cooling performance and
efficiency.
Note: In certain conditions, such as
maximum defrost, the air conditioning
compressor may continue to operate even
though you switch off the air conditioning.
Switching the Climate Control On
and Off Touch the button.
Switching the Climate Controlled
Seats On and Off Touch the button to cycle
through the various climate
controlled seat settings.
Switching Dual Zone Mode On and
Off Touch the button to switch on
temperature control for the
right-hand side of the vehicle.
Switching the Heated Exterior
Mirrors On and Off Touch the button.
Switching the Heated Windshield
On and Off Touch the button to clear the
windshield of thin ice and fog.
The heated windshield turns off
after a short period of time. Switching the Heated Rear
Window On and Off Touch the button to clear the
rear window of thin ice and fog.
Switching the Heated Seats On
and Off Touch the button to cycle
through the various heat
settings.
Switching the Heated Steering
Wheel On and Off Touch the button.
Switching Maximum Air
Conditioning On and Off Touch the button for maximum
cooling.
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 Touch the button for maximum
defrosting.
Air flows through the windshield air vents,
and the blower motor adjusts to the
highest speed.
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.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3 E265282 E265280 E266189 E184884

Readiness for Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) Testing................................................... 198
Changing a Bulb............................................341 LED Lamps........................................................... 342
License Plate Lamp.......................................... 342
Rear Direction Indicator and Reversing Lamp.................................................................. 341
Changing a Fuse..........................................320 Fuses...................................................................... 320
Changing a Road Wheel............................374
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information...................................................... 374
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 375
Changing the 12V Battery.........................336 Battery Management System....................... 337
Remove and Reinstall the Battery..............338
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
Changing the Front Wiper Blades.........340
Changing the Rear Wiper Blades
............341
Changing the Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot Name or Password
...................................425
Checking MyKey System Status..............66 MyKey Distance.................................................... 66
Number of Admin Keys...................................... 67
Number of MyKeys............................................... 67
Checking the Wiper Blades.....................340
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance.................................................43
Child Restraint Positioning.........................35
Child Safety......................................................23 General Information............................................ 23
Child Safety Locks.........................................36 Left-Hand Side...................................................... 37
Right-Hand Side................................................... 37
Cleaning Leather Seats..............................347
Cleaning Products
.......................................343
Materials............................................................... 343
Cleaning the Engine....................................345
Cleaning the Exterior..................................344 Cleaning the Exterior Lamps......................... 344
Cleaning the Exterior Precautions...............344
Exterior Chrome Parts..................................... 344
Exterior Plastic Parts........................................ 344Stripes or Graphics...........................................
344
Underbody........................................................... 345
Under Hood......................................................... 345
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens.........................347
Cleaning the Interior
...................................346
Mirrors.................................................................... 346
Cleaning the Wheels..................................348
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades...........................................................346
Clearing All MyKeys.......................................66
Climate.............................................................451 Accessing Rear Climate Controls................453
Accessing the Climate Control Menu.........451
Directing the Airflow.......................................... 451
Rear Climate Control Lock Indicator..........453
Setting the Blower Motor Speed.................. 451
Setting the Temperature................................. 451
Switching Auto Mode On and Off................451
Switching Dual Zone Mode On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching Maximum Air Conditioning On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching Maximum Defrost On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching Rear Auto Mode On and Off...................................................................... 453
Switching Recirculated Air On and Off...................................................................... 453
Switching the Air Conditioning On and Off....................................................................... 451
Switching the Climate Controlled Seats On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching the Climate Control On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Heated Exterior Mirrors On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching the Heated Rear Window On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Heated Seats On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Heated Steering Wheel On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching the Heated Windshield On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Rear Climate Controlled Seats On and Off.......................................... 453
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

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
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General Information - Vehicles With: 4.2
Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen.................................................................. 117
General Information - Vehicles With: 6.5 Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen................................................................. 112
Information Messages.................................121
4WD........................................................................\
. 138
Active Park............................................................. 122
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................... 122
Adaptive Headlamps......................................... 122
AdvanceTrac ™ and Traction Control..........123
Alarm....................................................................... 123
Battery and Charging System (12 volt)..................................................................... 123
Battery and Charging System (High Voltage)............................................................. 124
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System.................................................... 124
Doors and Locks.................................................. 125
Driver Alert............................................................. 126
Fuel........................................................................\
.. 126
Hill Descent Control........................................... 127
Hill Start Assist.................................................... 128
Keys and Intelligent Access............................ 128
Lane Keeping System....................................... 129
Maintenance......................................................... 129
MyKey......................................................................130
Park Aid.................................................................... 131
Park Brake.............................................................. 132
Power Steering..................................................... 133
Pre-Collision Assist............................................ 133
Remote Start........................................................ 133
Seats........................................................................\
134
Starting System.................................................. 134
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.................. 135
Trailer....................................................................... 135
Transmission........................................................ 136
Installing Child Restraints
...........................25
Child Seats.............................................................. 25
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts......................... 25
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)........................................... 28
Using Tether Straps............................................. 29
Instrument Cluster
.......................................103
Instrument Lighting Dimmer.....................88
Instrument Panel
.............................................21
Interior Air Quality........................................145 Interior Lamps..................................................91
Front Interior Lamp.............................................. 91
Rear Interior Lamps.............................................. 91
Interior Mirror
.................................................100
Automatic Dimming Mirror............................. 100
Manual Dimming Mirror................................... 100
Introduction........................................................9
J
Jump Starting the Vehicle.......................300 Connecting the Jumper Cables................... 300
Jump Starting...................................................... 301
Locating the Jump Starting Connection Points................................................................ 300
Preparing Your Vehicle.................................... 300
Removing the Jumper Cables........................ 301
K
Keyless Entry
....................................................72
SECURICODE™ Keyless Entry Keypad........72
Keyless Starting
.............................................172
Ignition Modes...................................................... 173
Keys and Remote Controls.........................57
L
Lane Keeping System
................................260
Switching the System On and Off...............261
Liftgate...............................................................74
Lighting Control
..............................................87
Flashing High Beam Headlamps................... 88
Lighting Control Selections.............................. 87
Switching High Beam Headlamps On and Off........................................................................\
. 87
Lighting...............................................................87 General Information............................................ 87
Limited Slip Differential
.............................213
Load Carriers See: Roof Racks and Load Carriers..............281
Load Carrying...............................................280
Load Limit
.......................................................282
Special Loading Instructions for Owners of
Pick-up Trucks and Utility-type
Vehicles............................................................ 286
Vehicle Loading - with and without a Trailer................................................................. 282
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index