FORD EXPLORER 2023 Owners Manual

Note:Note when in Sport mode it can beenabled by pressing the Auto-Start-Stopbutton.
The green Auto-Start-Stopindicator light on the instrumentcluster will illuminate to indicatewhen the automatic engine stop occurs.
If the instrument cluster isequipped with a greyAuto-Start-Stop indicator light,it illuminates when automatic engine stopis not available due to one of the abovenoted conditions not being met.
Automatic Engine Restart
Any of the following conditions will resultin an automatic restart of the engine:
•You have removed your foot from thebrake pedal.
•You press the accelerator pedal.
•You press the accelerator and thebrake pedal at the same time.
•The driver safety belt becomesunfastened or the driver door is ajar.
•Your vehicle is moving.
•The interior compartment does notmeet customer comfort when airconditioning or heat is on.
•Fogging of the windows could occurand the air conditioning is on.
•The battery is not within optimaloperating conditions.
•You have exceeded the maximumengine off time.
•When you press the Auto-Start-Stopbutton with the engine automaticallystopped.
•The front defroster is turned to the Maxsetting.
•When you shift into park (P), the enginewill restart.
Any of the following conditions may resultin an automatic restart of the engine:
•You have increased the blower fanspeed or changed the climate controltemperature.
•You have an electrical accessoryturned on or plugged in.
Note:You may notice that the climate seatfan fluctuates during an automatic restart.
Disabling Auto-Start-Stop
Press the Auto-Start-Stop button on thecenter console to switch the system off.The button will illuminate. Deactivatingusing the button lasts only 1 key cycle.Press the button again to restoreAuto-Start-Stop function.
Note:If the Shift to park (P), Restart Enginemessage appears and the amberAuto-Start-Stop indicator light flashes, thisindicates automatic restart is unavailable.You must restart the vehicle manually. SeeInformation Displays (page 110).
If your vehicle is in engine offAuto-Start-Stop, shifting from drive (D) toreverse (R) will not cause a restart if youdo not press the brake pedal. The messageAuto-Start-Stop Press Brake to StartEngine appears. You must press the brakepedal within 60 seconds or the systemrequires you to shift into park (P) andmanually restart your vehicle.
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HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
- HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
(HEV)
This hybrid vehicle combines electric andgasoline propulsion to providebreakthrough performance and improvedefficiency. Familiarizing yourself with theseunique characteristics provides an optimaldriving experience from your vehicle.
Starting
When you start your vehicle, agreen READY indicator lightappears in the instrument clusterletting you know that your vehicle is readyfor driving.
The engine may not start because yourvehicle has a silent key start feature. Thisfuel saving feature allows your vehicle tobe ready to drive without requiring the gasengine to be running. The indicator remainson when your vehicle is on, whether theengine is running or not, to indicate yourvehicle is capable of movement using theelectric motor, gas engine or both.Typically, the engine does not start unlessthe vehicle is cold, a climate controlchange is requested or you press theaccelerator pedal.
Driving
The gas engine automatically starts andstops to provide power when needed andto save fuel when not needed. Whencoasting at low speeds, coming to a stop,or standing, the gas engine normally shutsdown and your vehicle operates inelectric-only mode.
Conditions that may cause the engine tostart up or remain running include:
•Considerable vehicle acceleration.
•Climbing a hill.
•Charge level of high voltage battery islow.
•High or low outside temperatures inorder to provide system heating orcooling.
•Engine not warm enough to providepassenger requested cabintemperature.
•Towing a trailer.
•Selectable drive modes: Certainselectable drive modes may cause theengine to run. See What Is Drive ModeControl (page 273).
•Live in Drive: Use of the paddle shifterswhile in drive (D) may cause the engineto run. See Automatic Transmission(page 197).
Stopping
The gas engine may shut off to conservefuel as you come to a stop. Restarting yourvehicle is not required. Simply step on theaccelerator when you are ready to drive.
Transmission Operation
The engine and electric motor togetherpropel the vehicle through the automatictransmission. This is normal hybridoperating and helps deliver fuel efficiencyand performance.
Battery
Your hybrid is equipped with a high voltagebattery. A cool battery maintains batterylife and provides the best possibleperformance. The high voltage battery iscooled by the vehicle's air conditioningsystem. When the air conditioning systemis on, you may notice a slight increase inair temperature coming from the climatecontrol vents while the battery is cooling.You may also notice cool air flowing fromthe vents when the air conditioning orblower is off.
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Braking
Your hybrid is equipped with standardhydraulic braking and regenerative braking.Regenerative braking is performed by yourtransmission and it captures brake energyand stores it in the high voltage battery.
You may also notice during extendingdownhill driving that your engine continuesto run instead of shutting off. During thisengine braking, the engine stays on, but itis not using any fuel. You may also hear aslight whine or whistle when operating yourvehicle. This is the normal operation of theelectric motor in the hybrid system.
Driving to Optimize Fuel Economy
Note:Having your engine running is notalways an indication of inefficiency. In somecases, it is actually more efficient thandriving in electric mode.
Your fuel economy should improvethroughout your hybrid's break-in period.As with any vehicle, your driving habits andaccessory usage can significantly impactyour fuel economy. For best results, keepthese tips in mind:
•Keep the tires properly inflated andonly use the recommended size.
•Aggressive driving increases theamount of energy required to moveyour vehicle. In general, you canachieve better fuel economy with mildto moderate acceleration anddeceleration. Moderate braking isparticularly important since it allowsyou to maximize the energy capturedby the regenerative braking system.
Additional Tips:
•Do not carry extra loads.
•Be mindful of adding externalaccessories that may increaseaerodynamic drag.
•Observe posted speed limits.
•Perform all scheduled maintenance.
•There is no need to wait for your engineto warm up. The vehicle is ready todrive immediately after starting.
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HYBRID VEHICLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - HYBRID
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)
AnswerQuestion
The high voltage battery is electrically isol-ated from the rest of the vehicle when theignition is off. When you switch the ignitionon, the high voltage contacts inside thebattery are closed. This makes the electri-city available to the motor and generatorand allows your vehicle to proceed. Theclicks are the sound of these contacts asthey close and open during start up andshut down.
What are the series of clicks from the cargoarea when I switch the ignition on?
The vehicle's computer determines if anengine start is required at key-on. Silent keystarts the engine if it is necessary for cabinheating, windshield defrost, or if the outsidetemperature is low.
Why does the engine sometimes start atkey-on?
There are several reasons the engine stayson for an extended amount of time whenyou first start it. One common reason is tomake sure that the emission's componentsare warm enough to minimize tailpipeemissions. As the climate gets cooler, thisengine-on time is extended.
Why does it take a long time before theengine shuts down?
In order to make sure that the climatecontrol system can begin heating the cabinor defrosting the windshield as soon as yourequest it, the engine coolant temperaturehas to be kept sufficiently hot. Keeping theengine on is required to maintain the correctcoolant temperature.
Why does my engine stay on when it isextremely cold outside?
Your hybrid vehicle can use E15 fuel (15%ethanol, 85% gasoline), but you couldnotice slightly reduced fuel economybecause ethanol contains less energy pergallon than gasoline. Your hybrid vehicle isnot designed to use E85 (85% ethanol).
Can I put E15 or E85 in my vehicle, and howwill it affect my fuel economy?
The high voltage battery system is designedto last the life of the vehicle and requiresno maintenance.
How long will my high voltage battery last?Does it need maintenance?
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not overfill the fueltank. The pressure in an overfilled tankmay cause leakage and lead to fuel sprayand fire.
WARNING: The fuel system maybe under pressure. If you hear a hissingsound near the fuel filler inlet, do notrefuel until the sound stops. Otherwise,fuel may spray out, which could causeserious personal injury.
WARNING: Fuels can cause seriousinjury or death if misused or mishandled.
WARNING: Fuel may containbenzene, which is a cancer-causingagent.
WARNING: When refueling alwaysshut the engine off and never allowsparks or open flames near the fuel tankfiller valve. Never smoke or use a cellphone while refueling. Fuel vapor isextremely hazardous under certainconditions. Avoid inhaling excess fumes.
Follow these guidelines when refueling:
•Extinguish all smoking materials andany open flames before refueling yourvehicle.
•Always switch the engine off beforerefueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful orfatal if swallowed. Fuel is highly toxicand if swallowed can cause death orpermanent injury. If fuel is swallowedimmediately call a physician, even if nosymptoms are immediately apparent.The toxic effects of fuel may not beapparent for hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling fuelvapor can lead to eye and respiratorytract irritation. In severe cases,excessive or prolonged breathing offuel vapor can cause serious illness andpermanent injury.
•Avoid getting fuel in your eyes. If yousplash fuel in your eyes, immediatelyremove contact lenses (if worn), flushwith water for 15 minutes and seekmedical attention. Failure to seekproper medical attention could lead topermanent injury.
•Fuels can be harmful if absorbedthrough the skin. If you splash fuel onyour skin, clothing or both, promptlyremove contaminated clothing andthoroughly wash your skin with soapand water. Repeated or prolonged skincontact causes skin irritation.
•Be particularly careful if you are takingAntabuse or other forms of Disulfiramfor the treatment of alcoholism.Breathing fuel vapors could cause anadverse reaction, serious personalinjury or sickness. Immediately call aphysician if you experience any adversereactions.
FUEL QUALITY - E85
Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex FuelVehicles
Flex fuel vehicles have one of the followingidentifiers:
•Yellow fuel filler cap.
•Yellow bezel around the fuel filler inlet.
•Yellow fuel filler housing.
•Yellow E85 label on the fuel tank fillerdoor.
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Your vehicle is designed to operate onregular unleaded gasoline with a minimumpump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 orregular unleaded gasoline blended with amaximum of 85% ethanol (E85).
Some fuel stations, particularly those inhigh altitude areas, offer fuels posted asregular unleaded gasoline with an octanerating below 87. The use of these fuelscould result in engine damage that will notbe covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engineperformance, premium fuel with an octanerating of 91 or higher is recommended. Theperformance gained by using premium fuelis most noticeable in hot weather as wellas other conditions, for example whentowing a trailer. See Towing (page 283).
Do not be concerned if the enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if theengine knocks heavily while using fuel withthe recommended octane rating, contactan authorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
We recommend Top Tier detergentgasolines, where available to help minimizeengine deposits and maintain optimalvehicle and engine performance. Foradditional information, refer towww.toptiergas.com.
Note:Use of any fuel for which the vehiclewas not designed can impair the emissioncontrol system, cause loss of vehicleperformance, and cause damage to theengine which may not be covered by thevehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
•Diesel fuel.
•Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
•Fuels containing more than 85%ethanol or E100 fuel.
•Fuels containing methanol.
•Fuels containing metallic-basedadditives, including manganese-basedcompounds.
•Fuels containing the octane boosteradditive, methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
•Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel isprohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compoundssuch as methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (commonly knownas MMT), which is a manganese-basedfuel additive, will impair engineperformance and affect the emissioncontrol system.
Switching Between E85 andGasoline
We do not recommend repeatedlyalternating between E85 and gasoline. Ifyou switch from using E85 to gasoline, orfrom gasoline to E85, add as much fuel aspossible, at least half a tank. Drive yourvehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the changein ethanol concentration. If you use E85exclusively, we recommend that you fillthe fuel tank with regular unleadedgasoline at each scheduled oil change.
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FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate onregular unleaded gasoline with a minimumpump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those inhigh altitude areas, offer fuels posted asregular unleaded gasoline with an octanerating below 87. The use of these fuelscould result in engine damage that will notbe covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engineperformance, premium fuel with an octanerating of 91 or higher is recommended. Theperformance gained by using premium fuelis most noticeable in hot weather as wellas other conditions, for example whentowing a trailer. See Towing (page 283).
Do not be concerned if the enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if theengine knocks heavily while using fuel withthe recommended octane rating, contactan authorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
We recommend Top Tier detergentgasolines, where available to help minimizeengine deposits and maintain optimalvehicle and engine performance. Foradditional information, refer towww.toptiergas.com.
Note:Use of any fuel for which the vehiclewas not designed can impair the emissioncontrol system, cause loss of vehicleperformance, and cause damage to theengine which may not be covered by thevehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
•Diesel fuel.
•Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
•Fuel containing more than 15% ethanolor E85 fuel.
•Fuels containing methanol.
•Fuels containing metallic-basedadditives, including manganese-basedcompounds.
•Fuels containing the octane boosteradditive, methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
•Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel isprohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compoundssuch as methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (commonly knownas MMT), which is a manganese-basedfuel additive, will impair engineperformance and affect the emissioncontrol system.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is in the spare wheelstorage tray.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Running out of fuel can cause damage notcovered by the vehicle Warranty.
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If your vehicle runs out of fuel:
•Add a minimum of 1.3 gal (5 L) of fuelto restart the engine.
•You may need to switch the ignitionfrom off to on several times afterrefueling to allow the fuel system topump the fuel from the tank to theengine. When restarting, cranking timetakes a few seconds longer thannormal.
Note:If your vehicle is on a steep slope,more fuel may be required.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
WARNING: Flow of fuel through afuel pump nozzle can produce staticelectricity. This can cause a fire if you arefilling an ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoidelectrostatic charge build-up, which canproduce a spark, when filling anungrounded fuel container:
•Only use an approved fuel container totransfer fuel to your vehicle. Place thecontainer on the ground when filling it.
•Do not fill a fuel container when it isinside your vehicle (including the cargoarea).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contactwith the fuel container when filling it.
•Do not use a device that holds the fuelpump nozzle lever in the fill position.
Adding Fuel From a Portable FuelContainer
WARNING: Do not insert the nozzleof a fuel container or an aftermarketfunnel into the fuel filler neck. This maydamage the fuel system filler neck or itsseal and cause fuel to run onto theground.
WARNING: Do not try to pry openor push open the capless fuel systemwith foreign objects. This could damagethe fuel system and its seal and causeinjury to you or others.
WARNING: Do not dispose of fuelin the household refuse or the publicsewage system. Use an authorized wastedisposal facility.
When refueling the vehicle fuel tank froma fuel container, use the fuel filler funnelincluded with your vehicle. See Fuel FillerFunnel Location (page 183).
Note:Do not use aftermarket funnels asthey may not work with the capless fuelsystem and can damage it.
When refueling the vehicle fuel tank froma fuel container, do the following:
1.Fully open the fuel filler door.
2.Fully insert the fuel filler funnel into thefuel filler inlet.
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3.Add fuel to your vehicle from the fuelcontainer.
4.Remove the fuel filler funnel.
5.Fully close the fuel filler door.
6.Clean the fuel filler funnel and place itback in your vehicle or correctly disposeof it.
Note:Extra funnels can be purchased froman authorized dealer if you choose todispose of the funnel.
REFUELING - EXCLUDING:
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
(HEV)
Refueling System Overview
Fuel filler door.A
Fuel tank filler valve.B
Fuel tank filler pipe.C
Your vehicle does not have a fuel tank fillercap.
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Left-hand side. To open the fuelfiller door, press the center rearedge of the fuel filler door andthen release.
A
Right-hand side. To open thefuel filler door, press the centerrear edge of the fuel filler doorand then release.
B
Left-hand side. Pull the rear ofthe fuel filler door to open it.C
Right-hand side. Pull the rear ofthe fuel filler door to open it.D
Refueling Your Vehicle
WARNING: When refueling alwaysshut the engine off and never allowsparks or open flames near the fuel tankfiller valve. Never smoke or use a cellphone while refueling. Fuel vapor isextremely hazardous under certainconditions. Avoid inhaling excess fumes.
WARNING: The fuel system maybe under pressure. If you hear a hissingsound near the fuel filler inlet, do notrefuel until the sound stops. Otherwise,fuel may spray out, which could causeserious personal injury.
WARNING: Do not pry open thefuel tank filler valve. This could damagethe fuel system. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in fire, personalinjury or death.
WARNING: Do not remove the fuelpump nozzle from its fully insertedposition when refueling.
WARNING: Stop refueling whenthe fuel pump nozzle automaticallyshuts off for the first time. Failure tofollow this will fill the expansion spacein the fuel tank and could lead to fueloverflowing.
WARNING: Do not overfill the fueltank. The pressure in an overfilled tankmay cause leakage and lead to fuel sprayand fire.
WARNING: Wait at least fiveseconds before removing the fuel pumpnozzle to allow any residual fuel to draininto the fuel tank.
WARNING: Read and follow all theinstructions on the pump island.
1.Fully open the fuel filler door.
2.Select the correct fuel pump nozzle foryour vehicle.
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