2011 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular maintenance to
protect against rust and damage.
Body
•Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
See theCleaningchapter for more information.
•Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed locations.
•Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto wax
to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed. See theCleaningchapter for more information.
•Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges, and latches with a light
grade oil. See theCleaningchapter for more information.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contain contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add MotorcraftGas Stabilizer or
equivalent meeting Ford material specification ESE-M99C112-A to the
vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage periods exceed
30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label. The vehicle should
then be operated at idle speed to circulate the additive throughout the
fuel system.
Maintenance and Specifications
408
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and pins under vehicle are
covered with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent corrosion.
Removing vehicle from storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of storage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt or grease film build-up on
window surfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for any deterioration.
•Check under the hood for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage (mice/squirrel nests).
•Check the exhaust for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage.
•Check tire pressures and set tire inflation per the Tire Label.
•Check brake pedal operation. Drive the vehicle 15 ft (4.5 meters) back
and forth to remove rust build-up.
Maintenance and Specifications
409
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Check fluid levels (including coolant, oil and gas) to make sure there
are no leaks, and fluids are at recommended levels.
•If the battery was removed, clean the battery cable ends and inspect.
If you have any concerns or issues, contact your authorized dealer.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.5L V6 engine
Air filter element FA-1884
Battery BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-500-S
Spark plugs
1
1
For spark plug replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraftor
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not
used.
Maintenance and Specifications
410
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number / Ford
Specification
Brake fluidBetween MIN and
MAX on reservoirMotorcraftHigh
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1-C /
WSS-M6C62-A or
WSS-M6C65-A1
Body hinges, latches,
door striker plates and
rotors, seat tracks, fuel
filler door hinge and
spring, hood latch,
auxiliary latch, seat
tracks—Multi-Purpose Grease
(Lithium grease)XG-4 or XL-5 or equivalent /
ESB-M1C93-B
Door weatherstrips — Silicone Spray LubricantXL-6 /
ESR-M13P4-A
Lock cylinders —MotorcraftPenetrating
and Lock LubricantXL-1 /
None
Engine coolant12.2 quarts
(11.5L)•MotorcraftSpecialty
Green Engine Coolant
(dark green-colored)
•MotorcraftSpecialty
Orange Engine Coolant
(US)
•MotorcraftSpecialty
Orange Engine Coolant
(Canada)
1
•VC-10-A2 (US)
•CVC-10-A (Canada) /
WSS-M97B55-A
•VC-3-B (US)
•CVC-3-B (Canada) /
WSS-M97B44-D
Maintenance and Specifications
411
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number / Ford
Specification
Engine oil 6.0 quarts (5.7L)•MotorcraftSAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend Motor
Oil (US)
•MotorcraftSAE
5W-20 Full Synthetic
Motor Oil (US)
•MotorcraftSAE
5W-20 Super Premium
Motor Oil (Canada)
•MotorcraftSAE 5W20
Synthetic Motor Oil
(Canada)
2
•XO-5W20-QSP (US)
•XO-5W20-QFS (US)
•CXO-5W20-LSP12 (Canada)
•CXO-5W20-LFS12 (Canada) /
WSS-M2C930-A with API
Certification Mark
Automatic transmission
fluid12.7 quarts
(12.0L)
3
Motorcraft
MERCONLV AT F
4
XT-10-QLV /
MERCONLV
Rear axle fluid 3.5 pints (1.7L)MotorcraftSAE
75W-140 Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantXY-75W140-QL /
WSL-M2C192-A
Front axle fluid 2.7 pints (1.3L)MotorcraftSAE 80W-90
Premium Rear Axle
LubricantXY-80W90-QL /
WSP-M2C197-A
Maintenance and Specifications
412
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number / Ford
Specification
Windshield washer fluid Fill as requiredMotorcraftPremium
Windshield Washer
Concentrate (US)
Premium Quality
Windshield Washer Fluid
(Canada)ZC-32-A (US)
CXC-37-(A, B, D, and F)
(Canada) /
WSB-M8B16-A2/- -
Fuel tank18.6 gallons
(70.4L)——
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle. Check the coolant reservoir bottle
labeling for the correct fluid type to use.2Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only have the API
Certification mark and meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A .3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be
checked by a qualified technician.4Use of a dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCONLV may cause
transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission
damage. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval.
Maintenance and Specifications
413
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.5L V6 engine
Cubic inches 213
Required fuel Minimum 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system EDIS
Spark plug gap 0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)
Compression ratio 9 .7:1
Engine drivebelt routing
IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety Compliance Certification Label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the structure (B-Pillar)
by the trailing edge of the driver’s
door or the edge of the driver’s
door.
Maintenance and Specifications
414
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
Devices and their location
3. Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maintenance and Specifications
415
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)