
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood
1.
Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release
handle located under the left-hand
side of the instrument panel.
2. Slightly lift the hood. 3. Move the catch to the left.
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Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing MaintenanceE203008
1 2
E203009
3

•
Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,
spark plug wire or spark plug well, or
the area in and around these locations.
• Cover the battery, power distribution
box, and air filter assembly to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES
Car wash chemicals and environmental
fallout can result in windshield and wiper
blade contamination. Dirty windshield and
wipers will result in poor windshield wiper
operation. Keep the windshield and wiper
blades clean to maintain windshield wiper
performance.
To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
• Clean the windshield with a
non-abrasive glass cleaner. When
cleaning the interior of the windshield,
avoid getting any glass cleaner on the
instrument panel or door panels. Wipe
any glass cleaner off these surfaces
immediately.
• For windshields contaminated with
tree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, clean
the entire windshield using steel wool
(no greater than 0000 grade) in a
circular motion and rinse with water.
• Clean the wiper blades with isopropyl
rubbing alcohol or windshield washer
concentrate.
Note: Do not use razor blades or other
sharp objects to clean or remove decals
from the inside of the heated rear window.
The vehicle warranty does not cover
damage caused to the heated rear window
grid lines. CLEANING THE INTERIOR WARNINGS
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach
or dye on the vehicle
’s safety belts,
as these actions may weaken the
belt webbing. On vehicles equipped with
seat-mounted airbags, do not use
chemical solvents or strong
detergents. Such products could
contaminate the side airbag system and
affect performance of the side airbag in a
collision. For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts
and seats equipped with side airbags:
•
Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.
• Remove light stains and soil with
Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner.
• If grease or tar is present on the
material, spot-clean the area first with
Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Multi-Purpose
Cleaner.
• If a ring forms on the fabric after spot
cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate)
or the ring will set.
• Do not use household cleaning
products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect
the flame retardant abilities of the seat
materials.
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Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing Vehicle Care

CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING
Do not use chemical solvents or
strong detergents when cleaning the
steering wheel or instrument panel
to avoid contamination of the airbag
system. Note:
Follow the same procedure as
cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces. See Cleaning Leather Seats
(page 303).
Clean the instrument panel and cluster
lens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,
then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to dry
these areas.
• Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase
the gloss of the upper portion of the
instrument panel. The dull finish in this
area helps protect you from
undesirable windshield reflection.
• Do not use any household cleaning
products or glass cleaners as these
may damage the finish of the
instrument panel, interior trim and
cluster lens.
• Wash or wipe your hands clean if you
have been in contact with certain
products such as insect repellent and
suntan lotion to avoid possible damage
to the interior painted surfaces.
• Do not allow air fresheners and hand
sanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.
If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.
Your warranty may not cover these
damages.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice has
been spilled on the instrument panel or on
interior trim surfaces: 1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean,
soft cloth as quickly as possible.
2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for
automotive interiors. Test any cleaner
or stain remover on an inconspicuous
area.
3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap and
water solution. Dry the area with a
clean, soft cloth.
4. If necessary, apply more soap and water solution or cleaning product to
a clean, soft cloth and press it onto the
soiled area. Allow this to set at room
temperature for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with a clean, damp cloth, use a rubbing
motion for 60 seconds on the soiled
area.
6. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
(If
Equipped)
Note: Follow the same procedure as
cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with
a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and
water solution. Dry the area with a clean,
soft cloth.
For cleaning and removing stains such as
dye transfer, use Motorcraft Premium
Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a
commercially available leather cleaning
product for automotive interiors.
Note: Test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous area.
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Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing Vehicle Care

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
The vehicle identification number is
located on the left-hand side of the
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic, XXXX is
representative of your vehicle identification
number.
The Vehicle Identification Number contains
the following information: World manufacturer identifier
A
Brake system, Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, Restraint Devices
and their locations
B
Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
C
Engine type
D
Check digit
E
Model year
F
Assembly plant
G
Production sequence number
H
339
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142476 E142477

Description and Action
Display
2. Scroll to browse indexed media files on the device, and
then press the OK button.
Resets the USB index. After the new indexing is complete,
you can choose what to play from the USB song library.
Reset USB
* You can use the buttons at the bottom of the audio display to jump to a certain
alphabetical category quickly. You can also use the letters on the audio system's numeric
keypad to jump in the list.
Using Voice Commands
You can access and view your USB songs
using voice commands.
Plug the device into your vehicle's USB
port.
Press the voice button and when
prompted, say any of the following
commands: Accessing and Viewing USB Media
(browse | search | show) all (album |
albums)
(browse | search | show) all (artist |
artists)
(browse | search | show) all (genre |
genres)
(browse | search | show) all (playlist |
playlists)
(browse | search | show) all (song | songs
| title | titles | file | files | track | tracks)
(browse | search | show) album ___
(browse | search | show) artist ___
(browse | search | show) genre ___
(browse | search | show) playlist ___ USB 2
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may come equipped with an
additional USB port. If so, USB 1 is located
at the front of the vehicle at the bottom of
the instrument panel. USB 2 is located
inside the storage compartment of the
vehicle's center console.
You can plug in an additional USB device
into the second USB port.
Note: SYNC only supports one connected
iOS (Apple) devices at a time (whichever
one you plug in first). When you connect a
second iOS device, the systems charges it,
but does not support playback from it.
Bluetooth Devices and System
Settings
You can access these menus using the
audio display. See
Using SYNC™ With
Your Phone (page 372).
Voice Commands for Audio
Sources
Your voice system allows you to change
audio sources with a simple voice
command.
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Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing SYNC™
(If Equipped)

Touch Rear to allow the rear seat passengers to adjust the rear climate settings.
Touch it again to prevent the rear seat passengers from adjusting the settings.
Rear Control automatically turns off when you use the touchscreen to adjust
the rear climate settings.
Touch + or – to adjust the temperature.
To adjust fan speed, touch + or – next to the fan icon.
Touch
Rear again to close the rear controls. Closing the rear climate control
functions does not affect their current settings.
Recirculated air:
Touch the button to switch between outside air and
recirculated air. When you select recirculated air, the air currently in the
passenger compartment recirculates. This may reduce the time needed to cool
the interior (when used with
A/C) and may reduce unwanted odors from
entering your vehicle.
E
Note:
Recirculated air may turn off automatically (or be prevented from turning
on) in all airflow modes except Max A/C to reduce risk of fogging. Recirculated
air may also turn on and off automatically in Panel or Panel and Floor airflow
modes during hot weather in order to improve cooling efficiency.
Max A/C:
Touch the button to maximize cooling. Recirculated air flows through
the instrument panel vents, air conditioning automatically turns on, and the fan
automatically adjusts to the highest speed.
F
A/C:
Touch the button to switch air conditioning compressor on or off. Use air
conditioning with recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency.
G
Note:
In certain conditions (such as when using Max Defrost), the air
conditioning compressor may continue to operate even after you switch off the
air conditioning with the
A/C button.
Auto:
Touch the button to switch on automatic operation. Select the desired
temperature using the temperature control. The system adjusts fan speed, air
distribution, air conditioning operation, and selects outside air or recirculated
air to heat or cool the vehicle in order to maintain the desired temperature. You
can also use the
Auto button to switch off dual zone operation by touching
and holding the button for more than two seconds.
H
Heated rear window:
Turns the heated rear window on and off. See Heated
Windows and Mirrors (page 138).
I
Max Defrost:
Touch the button to maximize defrosting. Outside air flows
through the windshield vents, fan automatically adjusts to the highest speed
and the temperature dial returns to the full heat position. You can use this
setting to defog or clear a thin covering of ice from the windshield. The heated
rear window also automatically turns on when you select Max Defrost.
J
Air distribution control:
Touch these buttons to switch airflow from the
windshield, instrument panel, or footwell vents on or off. The system can
distribute air through the following combinations: windshield, windshield/floor,
panel, panel/floor, and floor.
K
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Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing MyFord Touch
™
(If Equipped)

Automatic Transmission...........................180
Brake-Shift Interlock......................................... 182
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow.................................................................. 183
SelectShift Automatic ™
Transmission.................................................... 181
Understanding the Positions of Your Automatic Transmission............................ 180
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 2.3L EcoBoost™.......................................286
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™...........286
Adding Transmission Fluid............................. 287
Checking the Transmission Fluid Level.................................................................. 286
Autowipers........................................................77
Auxiliary Power Points................................162 110 Volt AC Power Point................................... 162
12 Volt DC Power Point..................................... 162
Locations............................................................... 162
B
Blind Spot Information System..............224 Using the System............................................... 225
Bonnet Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood...........276
Booster Seats..................................................26 Types of Booster Seats....................................... 27
Brake Fluid Check........................................288
Brakes...............................................................189 General Information.......................................... 189
Breaking-In.....................................................252
Bulb Specification Chart...........................297
C
Cabin Air Filter
...............................................138
California Proposition 65..............................11
Capacities and Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™..................................................341
Specifications...................................................... 341
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Duratec.........................................................344
Specifications..................................................... 345
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™.................................................348
Specifications..................................................... 349Capacities and Specifications
................334
Cargo Nets......................................................233
Car Wash See: Cleaning the Exterior............................. 300
Center Console..............................................164 Rear Seat Armrest.............................................. 164
Changing a Bulb...........................................293 Front Direction Indicator................................. 294
Front Fog Lamp.................................................. 295
Headlamp............................................................ 294
Headlamp High Beam..................................... 294
LED Lamps........................................................... 296
License Plate Lamp.......................................... 296
Rear Direction Indicator and Reversing Lamp
................................................................. 295
Changing a Fuse...........................................274
Fuses....................................................................... 274
Changing a Road Wheel
...........................328
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information..................................................... 328
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 329
Changing the 12V Battery.........................289
Changing the Engine Air Filter................299
Changing the Wiper Blades
......................291
Front Wiper Blades............................................ 291
Rear Wiper Blade................................................ 291
Checking MyKey System Status
...............57
Checking the Wiper Blades.....................290
Child Restraint and Safety Belt Maintenance.................................................38
Child Safety
.......................................................15
General Information............................................. 15
Child Safety Locks
.........................................29
Left-Hand Side..................................................... 30
Right-Hand Side................................................... 30
Child Seat Positioning
..................................28
Child Seats.........................................................16
Cleaning Leather Seats.............................303
Cleaning Products
......................................300
Cleaning the Alloy Wheels.......................304
Cleaning the Engine
....................................301
Cleaning the Exterior.................................300
Exterior Chrome Parts..................................... 300
Exterior Plastic Parts......................................... 301
Stripes or Graphics............................................ 301
Underbody............................................................ 301
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens........................303
528
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, First Printing Index