ABS FORD EXPLORER 2023 Owners Manual

On (white light): Illuminates when youswitch on the adaptive cruise controlsystem. Turns off when you switch thecruise control system off.
Engaged (green light): Illuminates whenyou engage the adaptive cruise controlsystem. Turns off when you disengage thecruise control system.
Anti-Lock Braking System
If it illuminates when you aredriving, this indicates a systemerror. You continue to have thenormal braking (without ABS) unless thebrake system warning lamp alsoilluminates. Have the system checked.
Automatic High Beam Control
Illuminates when this feature ison. See What Is AutomaticHigh Beam Control (page 92).
Auto Hold Active
Illuminates when the systemholds your vehicle stationary.
Auto Hold Unavailable
Illuminates when the system ison, but unavailable to hold yourvehicle stationary.
Auto Start-stop (If Equipped)
Illuminates when the engineshuts down or in conjunctionwith a message.
Battery
If it illuminates while driving, itindicates a system error.Immediately switch off allunnecessary electrical equipment andhave the system checked.
Blind Spot Monitor
Illuminates when you switch thisfeature off or in conjunction witha message. See Blind SpotInformation System (page 259).
Brake System Warning Lamp
WARNING: Driving your vehiclewith the warning lamp on is dangerous.A significant decrease in brakingperformance may occur. It may take youlonger to stop your vehicle. Have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible.Driving extended distances with theparking brake engaged can cause brakefailure and the risk of personal injury.
Note:Indicators vary depending on region.
This lamp is a dual function lamp andilluminates when:
•You apply the parking brake with theignition on.
•Your vehicle has a brake fault or lowbrake fluid level, regardless of parkingbrake position.
If the lamp illuminates when youare moving, you may have theparking brake applied. Make surethe parking brake is off. Haveyour vehicle checked as soon aspossible if the lamp continues toilluminate.
106
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingInstrument ClusterE67020 E146105 E197933 E322410 E197934 E322411 E121377 E67021 E151262 E270480 E67024

WARNING: The head restraint is asafety device. Whenever possible itshould be installed and properlyadjusted when the seat is occupied.Failure to adjust the head restraintproperly could reduce its effectivenessduring certain impacts.
Note:Adjust the seat backrest to an uprightdriving position before adjusting the headrestraint. Adjust the head restraint so thatthe top of it is level with the top of your headand as far forward as possible. Make surethat you remain comfortable. If you areextremely tall, adjust the head restraint toits highest position.
Adjusting the Head Restraints
Front Seat Head Restraints
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing headrestraint.A
Two steel stems.B
Guide sleeve adjust and releasebutton.C
Raising the Head Restraint
Pull the head restraint up.
Lowering the Head Restraint
1.Press and hold the C button.
2.Push the head restraint down.
Second Row Center Seat HeadRestraint (If Equipped)
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing headrestraint.A
Two steel stems.B
Guide sleeve adjust and releasebuttons.C
Removing the Head Restraint
1.Press and hold the C buttons.
2.Pull the head restraint up.
Installing the Head Restraint
Align the steel stems into the guide sleevesand push the head restraint down until itlocks.
145
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSeatsE291139 E286400

Second Row Outermost Seat HeadRestraints
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing headrestraint.A
Two steel stems.B
Guide sleeve unlock and removebuttons.C
Removing the Head Restraint
1.Press and hold the C buttons.
2.Pull the head restraint up.
Installing the Head Restraint
Align the steel stems into the guide sleevesand push the head restraint down until itlocks.
Third Row Seat Head Restraints
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing headrestraint.A
Two steel stems.B
Fold strap.C
Folding the Head Restraint
Pull the fold strap (C). Pull the headrestraint back up to reset.
Note:Press the stow or fold button on thepower folding seats to fold the headrestraint.
MANUAL SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Moving the Seat Backward andForward
WARNING: Do not adjust the driverseat or seat backrest when your vehicleis moving. This may result in sudden seatmovement, causing the loss of controlof your vehicle.
146
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSeatsE333253 E286397

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.
181
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingFuel and Refueling

EMISSION LAW
WARNING: Do not remove or alterthe original equipment floor covering orinsulation between it and the metal floorof the vehicle. The floor covering andinsulation protect occupants of thevehicle from the engine and exhaustsystem heat and noise. On vehicles withno original equipment floor coveringinsulation, do not carry passengers in amanner that permits prolonged skincontact with the metal floor. Failure tofollow these instructions may result infire or personal injury.
U.S. federal laws and certain state lawsprohibit removing or rendering inoperativeemission control system components.Similar federal or provincial laws mayapply in Canada. We do not approve of anyvehicle modification without firstdetermining applicable laws.
Tampering with emissionscontrol systems includingrelated sensors or the DieselExhaust Fluid system can result in reducedengine power and the illumination of theservice engine soon light.
Tampering With a Noise ControlSystem
Federal laws prohibit the following acts:
•Removal or rendering inoperative byany person other than for purposes ofmaintenance.
•Repair or replacement of any device orelement of the design incorporated intoa new vehicle for the purpose of noisecontrol prior to its sale or delivery tothe ultimate purchaser or while it is inuse.
•The use of the vehicle after any personremoves or renders inoperative anydevice or element of the design.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencymay presume to constitute tampering asfollows:
•Removal of hood blanket, fender apronabsorbers, fender apron barriers,underbody noise shields or acousticallyabsorptive material.
•Tampering or rendering inoperative theengine speed governor, to allow enginespeed to exceed manufacturerspecifications.
If the engine does not start, runs rough,experiences a decrease in engineperformance, experiences excess fuelconsumption or produces excessiveexhaust smoke, check for the following:
•A plugged or disconnected air inletsystem hose.
•A plugged engine air filter element.
•Water in the fuel filter and waterseparator.
•A clogged fuel filter.
•Contaminated fuel.
•Air in the fuel system, due to looseconnections.
•An open or pinched sensor hose.
•Incorrect engine oil level.
192
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingEngine Emission ControlE67028

•Incorrect fuel for climatic conditions.
•Incorrect engine oil viscosity forclimactic conditions.
Note:Some vehicles have a lifetime fuelfilter that is integrated with the fuel tank.Regular maintenance or replacement is notneeded.
Note:If these checks do not help youcorrect the concern, have your vehiclechecked as soon as possible.
Noise Emissions Warranty,Prohibited Tampering Acts andMaintenance
On January 1, 1978, Federal regulationbecame effective governing the noiseemission on trucks over 10,000 lb(4,536 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating(GVWR). The preceding statementsconcerning prohibited tampering acts andmaintenance, and the noise warrantyfound in the Warranty Guide, areapplicable to complete chassis cabs over10,000 lb (4,536 kg) GVWR.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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: The normal operatingtemperature of the exhaust system isvery high. Never work around or attemptto repair any part of the exhaust systemuntil it has cooled. Use special care whenworking around the catalytic converter.The catalytic converter heats up to a veryhigh temperature after only a shortperiod of engine operation and stays hotafter the engine is switched off.
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.
Your vehicle has various emission controlcomponents and a catalytic converter thatenables it to comply with applicableexhaust emission standards.
To make sure that the catalytic converterand other emission control componentscontinue to work properly:
•Do not crank the engine for more than10 seconds at a time.
•Do not run the engine with a spark pluglead disconnected.
•Do not push-start or tow-start yourvehicle. Use booster cables. See JumpStarting the Vehicle (page 293).
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Do not switch the ignition off when yourvehicle is moving.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Have the items listed in scheduledmaintenance information performedaccording to the specified schedule.
Note:Resulting component damage maynot be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
The scheduled maintenance items listedin scheduled maintenance information areessential to the life and performance ofyour vehicle and to its emissions system.
If you use anything other than Ford,Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts formaintenance replacements or for serviceof components affecting emission control,such non-Ford parts should be equivalentto genuine Ford Motor Company parts inperformance and durability.
193
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingEngine Emission Control

Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, thereforeapply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”the brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING: If you are driving inslippery conditions that require tirechains or cables, then it is critical thatyou drive cautiously. Keep speeds down,allow for longer stopping distances andavoid aggressive steering to reduce thechances of a loss of vehicle controlwhich can lead to serious injury or death.If the rear end of your vehicle slides whilecornering, steer in the direction of theslide until you regain control of yourvehicle.
Note:Excessive tire slippage can causedriveline damage.
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WDvehicles in snow and ice but can skid likeany other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving onsnowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheelin the direction of the slide until you regaincontrol.
Avoid sudden applications of power andquick changes of direction on snow andice. Apply the accelerator slowly andsteadily when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a4WD vehicle could accelerate better thana two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,it will not stop any faster, because as inother vehicles, braking occurs at all fourwheels. Do not become overconfident asto road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distancebetween you and other vehicles forstopping. Drive slower than usual andconsider using one of the lower gears. Inemergency stopping situations, apply thebrake steadily. Since your vehicle comeswith a four wheel (ABS), do not “pump”the brakes. See Hints on Driving WithAnti-Lock Brakes (page 211).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems onyour vehicle have been designed andtested to provide predictable performancewhether loaded or empty and durable loadcarrying capability. For this reason, westrongly recommend that you do not makemodifications such as adding or removingparts (such as lowering kits or stabilizerbars) or by using replacement parts notequivalent to the original factoryequipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raisethe center of gravity can make it more likelythe vehicle will rollover as a result of a lossof control. We strongly recommend thatcaution be used with any vehicle equippedwith a high load or device (such as ladderor luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properlycould void the warranty, increase yourrepair cost, reduce vehicle performanceand operational capabilities and adverselyaffect driver and passenger safety.Frequent inspection of vehicle chassiscomponents is recommended if the vehicleis subjected to off-highway usage.
208
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingFour-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST –FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is reverse braking assist unavailable?
•Make sure you switch the system on.See Switching Reverse BrakingAssist On and Off (page 217).
•Make sure that the liftgate, hood andall doors are closed.
•Make sure the cross traffic alert systemis on. See Cross Traffic Alert (page263).
•Make sure the rear parking aid systemis on. See Rear Parking Aid (page 225).
•Make sure traction control is on. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 220).
•The vehicle has sustained a rear endimpact. Have the sensors checked forproper coverage and operation.
•An ABS, traction control or stabilitycontrol event may have occurred. Thesystem resumes operation when theevent is complete.
•Make sure the rear view camera and360 degree camera are not dirty orobstructed. If it is dirty, clean thecamera. See Rear View Camera(page 234). See 360 Degree Camera(page 237). If the message still appearsafter cleaning the camera, wait a shorttime and the message should clear. Ifthe message does not clear, have thesystem checked.
•Make sure the sensors are not blockedor faulted. See Cross Traffic Alert(page 263). See Rear Parking Aid(page 225).
•You recently had your vehicle serviced,or the battery disconnected. Drive yourvehicle a short distance to resumesystem operation.
•The system does not function whenyou connect a trailer. Operationresumes when you disconnect thetrailer.
Note:If the answers to why the system isunavailable do not assist in returning reversebraking assist to available, have the systemchecked as soon as possible.
219
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingReverse Braking Assist (If Equipped)

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: Traffic control systems,inclement weather, air brakes, externalmotors and fans may affect the correctoperation of the sensing system. Thismay cause reduced performance or falsealerts.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
Note:If your vehicle has MyKey™, thesensing system cannot be switched offwhen a MyKey™ is present. See Principleof Operation (page 64).
Note:Keep the sensors on the bumper orfascia free from snow, ice and largeaccumulations of dirt. If the sensors arecovered, the system’s accuracy can beaffected. Do not clean the sensors withsharp objects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage tothe bumper or fascia, leaving it misalignedor bent, the sensing zone may be alteredcausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Certain add-on devices installedaround the bumper or fascia may createfalse alerts. For example, large trailerhitches, bike or surfboard racks, license platebrackets, bumper covers or any other devicethat may block the normal detection zoneof the system. Remove the add-on deviceto prevent false alerts.
Note:When you connect a trailer to yourvehicle, the rear parking aid may detect thetrailer and therefore provide an alert. Disablethe rear parking aid when you connect atrailer to prevent the alert.
The sensing system warns the driver ofobstacles within a certain range of yourvehicle. The system turns on automaticallywhenever you switch the ignition on.
You can switch the system off through thetouchscreen, information display or fromthe pop-up message that appears onceyou shift the transmission into reverse (R).If your vehicle has a parking aid button, youcan switch the system off by pressing thebutton.
If a fault is present in the system, a warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay. See Information Messages(page 119).
REAR PARKING AID
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
225
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingParking Aids

Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides object distanceindication through the information display.
•As the distance to the objectdecreases, the indicator blocksilluminate and move toward the vehicleicon.
•If the system does not detect an object,the distance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into reverse (R), the systemprovides audible warnings and visualindication when your vehicle is moving, andthe detected object is moving toward yourvehicle. When you stop your vehicle, theaudible warnings stop after two seconds.Visual indication remains on when thetransmission is in reverse (R).
FRONT PARKING AID (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The parking aid systemcan only assist you to detect objectswhen your vehicle is moving at parkingspeeds. To help avoid personal injury youmust take care when using the parkingaid system.
Note:Keep the sensors free from snow, iceand large accumulations of dirt.
Note:Do not cover up the sensors.
Note:Do not clean the sensors with sharpobjects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damageleaving the sensors misaligned, this maycause inaccurate measurements or falsealerts.
Note:Some accessories, for example largetrailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks cancause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the front bumper.
The sensors are active when thetransmission is in any position other thanpark (P). When the parking aid systemsounds a tone, the audio system mayreduce the set volume.
227
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingParking AidsE190459