FORD EXPLORER 2023 Owners Manual

CUP HOLDERS
Note:Stow items in the cupholderscarefully as items may become loose duringhard braking, acceleration or crashes,including hot drinks which may spill.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
Press the rear edge of the overheadconsole door to open the glasses holder.
167
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStorage CompartmentsE307323

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: Extended idling at highengine speeds can produce very hightemperatures in the engine and exhaustsystem, creating the risk of fire or otherdamage.
WARNING: Do not park, idle ordrive your vehicle on dry grass or otherdry ground cover. The emission systemheats up the engine compartment andexhaust system, creating the risk of fire.
WARNING: Do not start the enginein a closed garage or in other enclosedareas. Exhaust fumes are toxic. Alwaysopen the garage door before you startthe engine. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
WARNING: Exhaust leaks mayresult in entry of harmful and potentiallylethal fumes into the passengercompartment. If you smell exhaustfumes inside your vehicle, have yourvehicle inspected immediately. Do notdrive if you smell exhaust fumes.
The powertrain control system meets allCanadian interference-causing equipmentstandard requirements regulating theimpulse electrical field or radio noise.
Note:If you use your vehicle regularly abovethe altitude of 7,500 ft (2,286 m) and underthe temperature of -4.0°F (-20°C), it isrecommended to use the alternative engineoil. See Capacities and Specifications(page 378).
If you disconnect the battery, your vehiclemay exhibit some unusual drivingcharacteristics for approximately 6 mi(10 km) after you reconnect it. This isbecause the engine management systemmust realign itself with the engine. You candisregard any unusual drivingcharacteristics during this period.
When you start the engine, avoid pressingthe accelerator pedal before and duringoperation. Only use the accelerator pedalwhen you have difficulty starting theengine.
IGNITION SWITCH
0 (off) - The ignition is off.
Note: When you switch the ignition off andleave your vehicle, do not leave your key inthe ignition. This could cause your vehiclebattery to lose charge.
I (accessory) - Allows the electricalaccessories, such as the radio, to operatewhile the engine is not running.
Note: Do not leave the ignition key in thisposition for too long.This could cause yourvehicle battery to lose charge.
II (on) - All electrical circuits areoperational and the warning lamps andindicators illuminate.
III (start) - Cranks the engine.
168
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the EngineE304650

KEYLESS STARTING (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:The system may not function if theremote control is close to metal objects orelectronic devices, for example keys or a cellphone.
Note:A valid remote control must belocated inside your vehicle to switch theignition on and start your vehicle.
Ignition Modes
The keyless starting system has threemodes:
Off: Turns the ignition off.
•Without applying the brake pedal,press and release the button oncewhen the ignition is in the on mode, orwhen your vehicle is running but is notmoving.
On: All electrical circuits are operationaland the warning lamps and indicatorsilluminate.
•Without applying the brake pedal,press and release the button once.
Start: Starts your vehicle. The engine maynot start when your vehicle starts.
•Press the brake pedal, and then pressthe button for any length of time.
STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speedincreases. This helps to warm up theengine. If the engine idle speed does notslow down, have your vehicle checked assoon as possible.
Note: You can crank the engine for a totalof 60 seconds without the engine startingbefore the starting system temporarilydisables. The 60 seconds does not have tobe all at once. For example, if you crank theengine three times for 20 seconds eachtime, without the engine starting, youreached the 60-second time limit. Amessage appears in the information displayalerting you that you exceeded the crankingtime. You cannot attempt to start theengine for at least 15 minutes. After 15minutes, you are limited to a 15-secondengine cranking time. You need to wait 60minutes before you can crank the engine for60 seconds again.
Before starting your vehicle, check thefollowing:
•Make sure all occupants fasten theirseatbelt.
•Make sure the headlamps andelectrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Make sure the transmission is in park(P).
•Switch the ignition on. For vehicles witha keyless ignition, see the followinginstructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1.Fully press the brake pedal.
2.Turn the key to the start position tostart your vehicle.
169
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the EngineE357532

Note:The engine may continue crankingfor up to 15 seconds or until it starts.
Note:If you cannot start the engine on thefirst try, wait for a short period and try again.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
Note:You must have your intelligent accesskey in your vehicle in order to shift thetransmission out of park (P).
1.Fully press the brake pedal.
2.Press the push button ignition switch.
The system does not function if:
•The passive key frequencies arejammed.
•The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start your vehicle, dothe following:
1.Open the floor console storagecompartment lid.
2.Insert the passive key into the backupslot.
3.With the key in this position, press thebrake pedal then press the push buttonignition switch to switch the ignition onand start your vehicle.
Fast Restart
The fast restart feature allows you torestart your vehicle within 20 seconds ofswitching it off, even if it does not detecta valid passive key.
After 20 seconds, you can no longer startyour vehicle if it does not detect a validpassive key. Within 20 seconds ofswitching the engine off, press the brakepedal and press the push button ignitionswitch.
Once your vehicle starts, it remains runninguntil you press the push button ignitionswitch, even if your vehicle does not detecta valid passive key. If you open and closea door while your vehicle is running, thesystem searches for a valid passive key.You cannot start your vehicle if the systemdoes not detect a valid passive key within20 seconds.
Failure to Start
If you cannot start the engine after threeattempts, wait 10 seconds and follow thisprocedure:
1.Fully press the brake pedal.
2.Shift into park (P).
3.Fully press the accelerator pedal andhold it there.
4.Attempt to start your vehicle and waituntil the engine stops cranking.
5.Release the accelerator pedal.
6.Start the engine.
170
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the EngineE297184

Automatic Engine Shutdown
For vehicles with a keyless ignition, thisfeature shuts down the engine if it hasbeen idling for an extended period. Theignition also turns off in order to savebattery power. Before your vehicle shutsdown, a message appears in theinformation display showing a timercounting down from 30 seconds. If you donot intervene within 30 seconds, yourvehicle shuts down. Another messageappears in the information display toinform you that your vehicle has shut downto save fuel. Start your vehicle as younormally do.
Automatic Engine Shutdown Override
You can stop the shutdown, or reset thetimer, at any point before the 30-secondcountdown has expired by doing any of thefollowing:
•You can reset the timer by interactingwith your vehicle, for example pressingthe brake or accelerator pedal.
•You can temporarily switch off theshutdown feature any time the ignitionis on. Use the vehicle settings on yourtouchscreen to switch the 30min MaxIdle on or off. The feature only remainsoff for the current ignition cycle.
•During the 30-second countdown, thesystem prompts you to press OK orRESET to temporarily switch thefeature off for the current ignition cycleonly.
Note:You cannot permanently switch offthe automatic shutdown feature. When youtemporarily switch it off, it turns on at thenext ignition cycle.
Stopping the Engine When YourVehicle is Stationary
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1.Shift into park (P).
2.Switch the ignition off.
3.Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1.Shift into park (P).
2.Press the push button ignition switch.
3.Apply the parking brake.
Note:The ignition, all electrical circuits andall warning lamps and indicators will beturned off.
Note:If the engine is idling for 30 minutes,the ignition and engine automatically shutdown.
Stopping the Engine When YourVehicle is Moving
WARNING: Switching off theengine when your vehicle is still movingresults in a significant decrease inbraking assistance. Higher effort isrequired to apply the brakes and to stopyour vehicle. A significant decrease insteering assistance could also occur. Thesteering does not lock, but higher effortcould be required to steer your vehicle.When you switch the ignition off, someelectrical circuits, for example airbags,also turn off. If you unintentionally switchthe ignition off, shift into neutral (N) andrestart the engine.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1.Switch the ignition off.
2.Shift into neutral and use the brakes tobring your vehicle to a safe stop.
3.Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1.Press and hold the push button ignitionswitch, or press it three times withintwo seconds.
171
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the Engine

2.Shift into neutral and use the brakes tobring your vehicle to a safe stop.
3.Shift into park (P).
4.Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING: Exhaust leaks mayresult in entry of harmful and potentiallylethal fumes into the passengercompartment. If you smell exhaustfumes inside your vehicle, have yourvehicle inspected immediately. Do notdrive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and then leave theengine idling for long periods, werecommend that you do one of thefollowing:
•Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).
•Set your climate control to outside air.
STARTING A HYBRID
ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM
Before starting your vehicle, check thefollowing:
•Make sure all occupants fasten theirseatbelt.
•Make sure the headlamps andelectrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Make sure the transmission is in park(P).
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1.Fully press the brake pedal.
2.Press the push button ignition switch.
Note:The green ready indicator illuminatesletting you know that your vehicle is readyfor driving. Since your vehicle comes with asilent key start, the engine may not startwhen your vehicle starts. See HybridVehicle Operation (page 178).
When the engine starts for the first timeon your drive, the idle speed increases, thishelps to warm up the engine. If the engineidle speed does not slow down, have yourvehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
The system does not function if:
•The passive key frequencies arejammed.
•The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start your vehicle, dothe following:
1.Open the floor console storagecompartment lid.
2.Insert the passive key into the backupslot.
3.With the key in this position, press thebrake pedal then press the push buttonignition switch to switch the ignition onand start your vehicle.
172
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the EngineE297184

Fast Restart
The fast restart feature allows you torestart your vehicle within 20 seconds ofswitching it off, even if it does not detecta valid passive key.
Within 20 seconds of switching yourvehicle off, press the brake pedal and pressthe push button ignition switch. After 20seconds, you can no longer start yourvehicle if it does not detect a valid passivekey.
Once your vehicle starts, it remains runninguntil you press the push button ignitionswitch, even if your vehicle does not detecta valid passive key. You cannot start yourvehicle if the system does not detect avalid passive key within 20 seconds.
Automatic Engine Shutdown
For vehicles with a keyless ignition, thisfeature shuts down the engine if it hasbeen idling for an extended period. Theignition also turns off in order to savebattery power. Before your vehicle shutsdown, a message appears in theinformation display showing a timercounting down from 30 seconds. If you donot intervene within 30 seconds, yourvehicle shuts down. Another messageappears in the information display toinform you that your vehicle has shut downto save fuel. Start your vehicle as younormally do.
Note:Automatic Engine Shutdown may bemore frequent for hybrid vehicles.
Automatic Engine Shutdown Override
Note: You cannot permanently switch offthe automatic shutdown feature. When youswitch it off temporarily, it turns on at thenext ignition cycle.
You can stop the shutdown, or reset thetimer, at any point before the 30-secondcountdown expires by doing any of thefollowing:
•You can reset the timer by interactingwith your vehicle, for example pressingthe brake or accelerator pedal.
•You can temporarily switch off theshutdown feature any time the ignitionis on using the information display. SeeInformation Displays (page 110). Thefeature only remains off for the currentignition cycle.
•During the 30-second countdown, thesystem prompts you to press OK orRESET to temporarily switch thefeature off for the current ignition cycleonly.
Switching Off Your Vehicle WhenIt Is Stationary
1.Put the transmission in park (P).
2.Press the push button ignition switchonce.
3.Apply the parking brake.
Note:This switches off the ignition, warninglamps and indicators.
Switching Off Your Vehicle WhenIt Is Moving
WARNING: Switching off theengine when your vehicle is still movingresults in a significant decrease inbraking assistance. Higher effort isrequired to apply the brakes and to stopyour vehicle. A significant decrease insteering assistance could also occur. Thesteering does not lock, but higher effort
173
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the Engine

could be required to steer your vehicle.When you switch the ignition off, someelectrical circuits, for example airbags,also turn off. If you unintentionally switchthe ignition off, shift into neutral (N) andrestart the engine.
1.Put the transmission into neutral (N)and use the brakes to bring your vehicleto a safe stop.
2.When your vehicle has stopped, putthe transmission in park (P).
3.Press and hold the push button ignitionswitch for one second, or press it threetimes within two seconds.
4.Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING: Exhaust leaks mayresult in entry of harmful and potentiallylethal fumes into the passengercompartment. If you smell exhaustfumes inside your vehicle, have yourvehicle inspected immediately. Do notdrive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and then leave theengine idling for long periods of time, werecommend that you do one of thefollowing:
•Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).
•Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF
EQUIPPED)
WARNING: Failure to follow engineblock heater instructions could result inproperty damage or serious personalinjury.
WARNING: Do not use your heaterwith ungrounded electrical systems ortwo-pronged adapters. There is a risk ofelectrical shock.
WARNING: Do not fully close thehood, or allow it to drop under its ownweight when using the engine blockheater. This could damage the powercable and may cause an electrical shortresulting in fire, injury and propertydamage.
Note:The heater is most effective whenoutdoor temperatures are below 0°F(-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid bywarming the engine coolant. This allowsthe climate control system to respondquickly. The equipment includes a heaterelement, installed in the engine block anda wire harness. You can connect thesystem to a grounded 120-volt ACelectrical source.
We recommend that you do the followingfor a safe and correct operation:
•Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cordthat is product certified byUnderwriter’s Laboratory (UL) orCanadian Standards Association(CSA). This extension cord must besuitable for use outdoors, in cold
174
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the Engine

temperatures, and be clearly markedSuitable for Use with OutdoorAppliances. Do not use an indoorextension cord outdoors. This couldresult in an electric shock or become afire hazard.
•Use as short an extension cord aspossible.
•Do not use multiple extension cords.
•Make sure that when in operation, theextension cord plug and heater cordplug connections are free and clear ofwater. This could cause an electricshock or fire.
•If the block heater cord is under thehood, Do Not remove the wiring fromits original location. Do Not close thehood on the extension wiring.
•Make sure your vehicle is parked in aclean area, clear of combustibles.
•Make sure the heater, heater cord andextension cord are firmly connected.
•Check for heat anywhere in theelectrical hookup once the system hasbeen operating for approximately 30minutes.
•Make sure the system is unplugged andproperly stowed before starting anddriving your vehicle. Make sure theprotective cover seals the prongs of theblock heater cord plug when not in use.
•Make sure the heater system ischecked for proper operation beforewinter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals areclean and dry prior to use. Clean them witha dry cloth if necessary.
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hoursof energy per hour of use. The system doesnot have a thermostat. It achievesmaximum temperature afterapproximately three hours of operation.Using the heater longer than three hoursdoes not improve system performance andunnecessarily uses electricity.
175
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingStarting and Stopping the Engine

AUTO-START-STOP (IF EQUIPPED)
The system helps reduce fuel consumptionby automatically stopping and restartingthe engine when your vehicle has stopped.The engine restarts automatically whenyou release the brake pedal.
In some situations, your vehicle may restartautomatically, for example:
•To maintain interior comfort.
•To recharge the battery.
Note:Power assist steering turns off whenthe engine is off.
Note:If your vehicle is flex fuel capable,Auto-Start-Stop will be inhibited for a shorttime after a refuel event while the systemis verifying the fuel type being used.
WARNING: Apply the parkingbrake, shift into park (P), switch theignition off and remove the key beforeyou leave your vehicle. Failure to followthis instruction could result in personalinjury or death.
WARNING: Apply the parkingbrake, shift into park (P), switch theignition off and remove the key beforeyou open the hood or have any serviceor repair work completed. If you do notswitch the ignition off, the engine couldrestart at any time. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
WARNING: The system mayrequire the engine to automaticallyrestart when the auto-start-stopindicator illuminates green or flashesamber. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in personal injury.
The Auto-Start-Stop system status isavailable at a glance within the informationdisplay. See Information Displays (page110).
Enabling Auto-Start-Stop
The system automatically enables everytime you start your vehicle if:
•You do not press the Auto-Start-Stopbutton (not illuminated).
•Your vehicle exceeds an initial speedof 3 mph (5 km/h) after you haveinitially started your vehicle.
•You have stopped your vehicle.
•Your foot is on the brake pedal.
•The driver door is closed.
•The interior compartment has cooledor warmed to an acceptable level.
•The front windshield defroster is off.
•You have not turned the steering wheelrapidly or you do not have it at a sharpangle.
•The vehicle is not on a steep roadgrade.
•The battery is within optimal operatingconditions (battery state of charge andtemperature in range).
•The engine coolant is near operatingtemperature.
•Elevation is below about 12,000 ft(3,650 m).
•Ambient temperature is moderate.
•The trailer is not connected.
•If you select Normal, Eco, Snow/Wetor Grass/Gravel/Snow modes.
•You are not in 4H or 4L.
•You have not selected Manual shiftmode.
•Hill descent control is not active.
•You have not selected Tow haul, Sport,Sand or Mud/Rut modes.
176
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingUnique Driving Characteristics