tow spec FORD EXPLORER 2021 Owner's Manual

When to Expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Message
Vehicle Use and Example
Interval 1
Normal
7,500– 10,000 mi
(12,000– 16,000 km) Normal commuting with highway driving
No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads
No extended idling
Severe
5,000– 7,500 mi
(8,000– 12,000 km) Moderate to heavy load or towing
Mountainous or off-road conditions
Extended idling
Extended hot or cold operation
Extreme
3,000–5,000 mi
(4,800–8,000 km) Maximum load or towing
Extreme hot or cold operation
Extended engine idling
1 Hybrid vehicles may achieve longer distances between oil changes, but do not exceed
the 1 year maximum oil change interval. Remaining oil life can be accessed through the
information display. See Information Displays (page 112).
Normal Maintenance Intervals At Every Oil Change Interval as Indicated by the Information Display
1
Change the engine oil and filter. 2
Rotate the tires.
Perform a multi-point inspection, recommended.
Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the front axle.
Inspect the rear axle and U-joints.
Inspect the half-shaft boots.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

Other Maintenance Items
1
Change the automatic transmission fluid.
Every 150,000 mi
(240,000 km) Replace the accessory drive belt or belts. 4
1 Perform these maintenance items within
3,000 mi (4,800 km) of the last engine oil
and filter change. Do not exceed the designated distance for the interval.
2 Initial replacement at 10 years or
200,000 mi (322,000 km), then every 5 years or
100,000 mi (160,000 km).
3 After initial inspection, inspect every other oil change until replaced.
4 If not replaced within the last
100,000 mi (160,000 km).
SPECIAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in any
of the following conditions, you need to
perform extra maintenance as indicated.
If you operate your vehicle occasionally
under any of these conditions, it is not
necessary to perform the extra
maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership
service advisor or technician. Perform the services shown in the
following tables when specified or within
3,000 mi (4,800 km)
of the message
appearing in the information display
prompting you to change your oil.
• Example 1: The message comes on at
28,750 mi (46,270 km)
. Perform the
30,000 mi (48,000 km) automatic
transmission fluid replacement.
• Example 2: The message has not come
on, but the odometer reads 30,000 mi
(48,000 km)
(for example, the
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor was reset
at
25,000 mi (40,000 km). Perform
the engine air filter replacement. Towing a Trailer or Using a Car-top Carrier
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information
display and perform services listed in the Normal Sched-
uled Maintenance chart.
As required
Inspect front axle.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Inspect rear axle and U-joints.
Inspect half-shaft boots.
See axle maintenance items under Exceptions.
Replace spark plugs.
Every
60,000 mi
(96,000 km)
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

Blind Spot Information System.............264
Blind Spot Information System with Trailer
Tow.................................................................... 266
Switching the System On and Off..............268
System Errors...................................................... 268
Using the Blind Spot Information System.............................................................. 265
BLIS See: Blind Spot Information System.........264
Body Styling Kits.........................................350
Bonnet Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood...........322
Booster Seats..................................................33 Types of Booster Seats...................................... 33
Brake Fluid Check........................................335 Brake Fluid Service Interval........................... 336
Brakes...............................................................214 General Information.......................................... 214
Breaking-In....................................................296 Brakes and Clutch............................................. 296
Tires........................................................................\
296
Bulb Specification Chart...........................419
C
Canceling the Set Speed..........................245
Capacities and Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™..................................................391
Air Conditioning System.................................. 391
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates........................................................... 394
Automatic Transmission................................. 392
Engine Coolant................................................... 393
Engine Oil.............................................................. 393
Front Axle............................................................. 396
Fuel Tank.............................................................. 395
Grease.................................................................... 395
Hydraulic Brake System.................................. 395
Locks...................................................................... 395
Rear Axle............................................................... 397
Transfer Case...................................................... 396
Washer Reservoir............................................... 397
Capacities and Specifications - 3.0L................................................................398
Air Conditioning System................................. 398
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates............................................................ 401
Automatic Transmission................................ 399Engine Coolant..................................................
400
Engine Oil............................................................. 400
Front Axle............................................................. 403
Fuel Tank.............................................................. 402
Grease.................................................................... 402
Hydraulic Brake System.................................. 402
Locks...................................................................... 402
Rear Axle.............................................................. 404
Transfer Case...................................................... 403
Washer Reservoir.............................................. 404
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline.......................................................405
Air Conditioning System................................. 405
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates.......................................................... 408
Automatic Transmission................................ 406
Engine Coolant................................................... 407
Engine Oil.............................................................. 407
Front Axle.............................................................. 410
Fuel Tank.............................................................. 409
Grease................................................................... 409
Hydraulic Brake System................................. 409
Locks...................................................................... 409
Rear Axle................................................................. 411
Transfer Case....................................................... 410
Washer Reservoir................................................. 411
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)...............412
Air Conditioning System................................... 412
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates............................................................ 415
Automatic Transmission.................................. 413
Engine Coolant.................................................... 414
Engine Oil.............................................................. 414
Front Axle............................................................... 417
Fuel Tank............................................................... 416
Grease..................................................................... 416
Hydraulic Brake System................................... 416
Locks....................................................................... 416
Rear Axle................................................................ 418
Transfer Case........................................................ 417
Washer Reservoir................................................ 418
Capacities and Specifications................382
Cargo Nets
.....................................................280
Car Wash See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 344
Catalytic Converter......................................197 On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)................... 198
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Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating
Adjustment........................................................ 47
Driver and Passenger Knee Airbags.........51
Driving Aids....................................................259
Driving Hints..................................................295
Driving Through Water..............................296
DRL See: Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With:
Configurable Daytime Running
Lamps................................................................. 89
See: Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................89
E
Economical Driving
.....................................295
Electric Parking Brake.................................215
Applying the Electric Parking Brake.............215
Automatically Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake.................................................. 216
Manually Releasing the Electric Parking Brake................................................................... 216
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake if the Vehicle Battery is Running Out of
Charge................................................................ 217
Electric Vehicle Information
....................460
Engine On Due To............................................... 461
Power Flow.......................................................... 460
Vehicle Operational States........................... 460
Electromagnetic Compatibility
..............530
Emergency Call Limitations.......................56
Emergency Call Requirements.................55
Emergency Call System Data.....................18
Emission Law
.................................................196
Noise Emissions Warranty, Prohibited
Tampering Acts and Maintenance..........197
Tampering With a Noise Control System.............................................................. 196
End User License Agreement..................533 VEHICLE SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT (EULA) ................................. 533
Engine Block Heater
.....................................178
Using the Engine Block Heater...................... 179
Engine Coolant Check.................................331 Adding Coolant.................................................... 331
Coolant Change.................................................. 333
Engine Coolant Temperature Management.................................................. 334Fail-Safe Cooling...............................................
333
Recycled Coolant............................................... 332
Severe Climates................................................. 333
Engine Emission Control...........................196
Engine Immobilizer See: Passive Anti-Theft System..................... 78
Engine Oil Check..........................................326 Adding Engine Oil............................................... 327
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.0L.........................326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.3L..........................326
Engine Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................382
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 382
Engine Specifications - 3.0L, ST
............383
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 384
Engine Specifications - 3.0L...................383 Drivebelt Routing............................................... 383
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline.......................................................385
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 385
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)............................386
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 386
Entertainment...............................................441 AM/FM Radio...................................................... 442
Apps....................................................................... 450
Bluetooth Stereo or USB................................ 449
CD........................................................................\
... 448
HD Radio ™ Information (If
Available)........................................................ 445
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (If Activated)........................................................ 443
Sources.................................................................. 442
Supported Media Players, Formats and Metadata Information................................ 450
USB Ports............................................................. 450
Environment.....................................................19
EPB See: Electric Parking Brake.............................. 215
Essential Towing Checks..........................292 Before Towing a Trailer.................................... 293
Hitches................................................................... 292
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)........................................ 293
Safety Chains...................................................... 292
Trailer Brakes....................................................... 292
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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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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Towing a Trailer............................................288
Load Placement................................................ 288
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels..........................................................294
Emergency Towing............................................ 294
Recreational Towing - All-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles........................ 294
Recreational Towing - Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles............................................................ 294
Recreational Towing - Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicles............................................................ 294
Towing.............................................................288
Traction Control............................................224 Principle of Operation...................................... 224
Trailer Sway Control...................................289
Transmission Specifications - ST.........386
Transmission..................................................201
Transporting the Vehicle
..........................303
U
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................323
Under Hood Overview - 3.0L...................324
Under Hood Overview - 3.3L...................325
Unique Driving Characteristics...............180
Universal Garage Door Opener...............162 HomeLink Wireless Control System............162
USB Port
.........................................................432
Locating the USB Ports................................... 432
Using Four-Wheel Drive............................207 Driving in Special Conditions With
Four-Wheel drive (4WD).......................... 209
How Your Vehicle Differs from Other Vehicles............................................................ 208
Operating Four-Wheel drive (4WD) Vehicles with Mismatched Tires.............208
Operating Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Vehicles With Spare Tires.......................... 207
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems...........................................................67
Using Snow Chains.....................................366
Using Stability Control...............................226 Electronic Stability Control - Base
Model................................................................ 226
Electronic Stability Control - ST Model ........................................................................\
..... 226
Using Summer Tires...................................366 Using Traction Control...............................224
Switching the System Off............................... 224
System Indicator Lights and Messages......................................................... 224
Using a Switch.................................................... 224
Using Voice Recognition...........................435 Apps....................................................................... 440
Automatic Blower Motor Speed Reduction......................................................... 441
Climate................................................................... 437
Entertainment.................................................... 436
General.................................................................. 435
Navigation............................................................ 439
Phone
..................................................................... 438
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.................. 440
Voice Settings...................................................... 441
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)........................308
V
Vehicle Care
...................................................343
General Information......................................... 343
Vehicle Identification Number.................391
Vehicle Storage............................................348 Body....................................................................... 349
Brakes.................................................................... 349
Cooling system................................................... 349
Disconnecting Your 12 Volt Battery.............349
Engine.................................................................... 349
Fuel system......................................................... 349
General.................................................................. 348
Miscellaneous..................................................... 350
Plugging in Your HYBRID................................ 349
Removing Vehicle From Storage.................350
Tires........................................................................\
350
Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot................................425
Ventilated Seats
...........................................159
Automatic Climate Controlled Seats..........159
Ventilation See: Climate Control......................................... 139
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number.............391
Voice Control
...................................................82
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index