2020 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

2020 EXPLORER Owner’s Manual
March 2020
Third Printing
Litho in U.S.A.
LL2J 19A321 AB
ford.caowner.ford.com
2020 EXPLORER Owner’s Manual

The information contained in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. In the interest of
continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications, design or equipment at any time
without notice or obligation. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a
retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by any means without our written permission.
Errors and omissions excepted.
© Ford Motor Company 2020
All rights reserved.
Part Number: 201902 20200225125147
California Proposition 65
WARNING: Operating, servicing and
maintaining a passenger vehicle or off-highway
motor vehicle can expose you to chemicals
including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide,
phthalates, and lead, which are known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To minimize
exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle the
engine except as necessary, service your vehicle
in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves or wash
your hands frequently when servicing your vehicle.
For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle. WARNING:
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash your hands after handling
.

Introduction
About This Manual
..........................................9
Symbols Glossary ............................................
9
Data Recording .................................................
11
Perchlorate .......................................................
15
Ford Credit ........................................................
15
Replacement Parts Recommendation ........................................................................\
...
16
Special Notices ...............................................
16
Mobile Communications Equipment ........................................................................\
....
17
Export Unique Options ................................
18
Environment
Protecting the Environment .......................
19
At a Glance
At a Glance - ST ............................................
20
Instrument Panel ............................................
21
Child Safety
General Information .....................................
23
Installing Child Restraints ..........................
25
Booster Seats .................................................
33
Child Restraint Positioning ........................
35
Child Safety Locks ........................................
36
Seatbelts
Principle of Operation .................................
38
Fastening the Seatbelts .............................
39
Seatbelt Height Adjustment ......................
41
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime .............................................................
41
Seatbelt Reminder ........................................
42
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance ...............................................
43
Seatbelt Extensions .....................................
44
Personal Safety System ™
Personal Safety System ™.........................
45 Supplementary Restraints
System
Principle of Operation .................................
46
Driver and Passenger Airbags ...................
47
Front Passenger Sensing System ...........
48
Side Airbags ....................................................
50
Driver and Passenger Knee Airbags ........
51
Safety Canopy ™.............................................
51
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator .......
52
Airbag Disposal ..............................................
53
Pedestrian Protection
Pedestrian Alert System ............................
54
911 Assist
What Is 911 Assist ..........................................
55
Emergency Call Requirements ................
55
Emergency Call Limitations ......................
56
Keys and Remote Controls
General Information on Radio Frequencies .................................................
57
Remote Control ..............................................
57
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control ........................................................................\
..
63
MyKey ™
Principle of Operation .................................
64
Creating a MyKey ..........................................
65
Clearing All MyKeys ......................................
66
Checking MyKey System Status .............
66
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems ........................................................
67
MyKey – Troubleshooting ..........................
67
Doors and Locks
Locking and Unlocking ...............................
69
Keyless Entry ...................................................
72
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Liftgate
Power Liftgate
................................................74
Security
Passive Anti-Theft System ........................
78
Anti-Theft Alarm ...........................................
78
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column .........................................................
80
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column .........................................................
80
Audio Control ..................................................
82
Voice Control ..................................................
82
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control With Lane Centering
........................................................................\
..
82
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go .......
83
Cruise Control - Vehicles With: Cruise Control ..........................................................
83
Information Display Control ......................
83
Heated Steering Wheel ..............................
83
Horn ...................................................................
84
Wipers and Washers
Windshield Wipers .......................................
85
Autowipers ......................................................
85
Windshield Washers ....................................
86
Rear Window Wiper and Washers ..........
87
Lighting
General Information ....................................
88
Lighting Control .............................................
88
Autolamps .......................................................
89
Instrument Lighting Dimmer ....................
89
Headlamp Exit Delay ...................................
89
Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Configurable Daytime Running Lamps
........................................................................\
..
90 Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With:
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) .........
90
Front Fog Lamps ...........................................
90
Adaptive Headlamps ....................................
91
Direction Indicators .......................................
91
Interior Lamps ................................................
92
Ambient Lighting - Vehicles With: 8 Inch Information and Entertainment Display
Screen ...........................................................
93
Ambient Lighting - Vehicles With: 10.1 Inch Information and Entertainment
Display Screen ...........................................
93
Automatic High Beam Control
What Is Automatic High Beam Control ........................................................................\
..
95
Switching Automatic High Beam Control On and Off ...................................................
95
Automatic High Beam Control Indicators ........................................................................\
..
95
Overriding Automatic High Beam Control ........................................................................\
..
96
Windows and Mirrors
Power Windows .............................................
97
Global Opening .............................................
98
Exterior Mirrors - Excluding: ST ...............
98
Exterior Mirrors - ST .....................................
99
Interior Mirror ..................................................
101
Sun Visors .......................................................
101
Moonroof ........................................................
102
Instrument Cluster
Gauges ............................................................
104
Warning Lamps and Indicators ..............
107
Audible Warnings and Indicators .............
111
Information Displays
General Information ....................................
112
Personalized Settings .................................
118
Information Messages ...............................
120
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Climate Control
Automatic Climate Control
......................137
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate ........................................................................\
.
139
Rear Passenger Climate Controls .........
140
Heated Windshield ......................................
141
Heated Rear Window .................................
142
Heated Exterior Mirrors ..............................
142
Remote Start .................................................
142
Interior Air Quality
What Is the Cabin Air Filter ......................
143
Locating the Cabin Air Filter ....................
143
Replacing the Cabin Air Filter ..................
143
Seats
Sitting in the Correct Position .................
144
Head Restraints ...........................................
144
Manual Seats ................................................
147
Power Seats ..................................................
148
Memory Function ........................................
150
Rear Seats ......................................................
152
Heated Seats ................................................
156
Climate Controlled Seats .........................
158
Rear Occupant Alert System
What is the Rear Occupant Alert System ........................................................................\
160
How Does the Rear Occupant Alert System Work ............................................
160
Rear Occupant Alert System Precautions ........................................................................\
160
Rear Occupant Alert System Limitations ........................................................................\
160
Switching Rear Occupant Alert System On and Off .................................................
160
Rear Occupant Alert System Indicators ........................................................................\
..
161
Rear Occupant Alert System Audible Warnings ......................................................
161Garage Door Opener
Universal Garage Door Opener
..............
162
Auxiliary Power Points
Auxiliary Power Points ...............................
167
Wireless Accessory Charger ....................
168
Storage Compartments
Cup Holders .....................................................
171
Center Console ...............................................
171
Overhead Console ........................................
171
Starting and Stopping the Engine
General Information ....................................
172
Ignition Switch ...............................................
172
Keyless Starting ............................................
172
Starting a Gasoline Engine .......................
173
Starting a Hybrid Electric Vehicle System ........................................................................\
.
176
Engine Block Heater ...................................
178
Unique Driving Characteristics
Auto-Start-Stop ..........................................
180
Hybrid Vehicle Operation - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ...........................
182
Hybrid Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric
Vehicle (HEV) ...........................................
184
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions .....................................
186
Fuel Quality - E85 .......................................
186
Fuel Quality - Gasoline .............................
188
Fuel Filler Funnel Location ......................
188
Running Out of Fuel ...................................
188
Refueling - Excluding: Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ...........................................
190
Refueling - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ........................................................................\
.
193
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Fuel Consumption
......................................195
Engine Emission Control
Emission Law ................................................
197
Catalytic Converter .....................................
198
High Voltage Battery
General Information ...................................
201
Transmission
Automatic Transmission ..........................
202
Four-Wheel Drive
Principle of Operation ..............................
208
Using Four-Wheel Drive ..........................
208
Brakes
General Information ...................................
214
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes ........................................................................\
.
215
Electric Parking Brake ................................
215
Hill Start Assist ..............................................
217
Auto Hold ........................................................
218
Reverse Braking Assist
What Is Reverse Braking Assist .............
220
Reverse Braking Assist Precautions .....
220
Switching Reverse Braking Assist On and Off ..................................................................
221
Overriding Reverse Braking Assist .........
221
Reverse Braking Assist Indicators ..........
221
Reverse Braking Assist – Troubleshooting ......................................
222
Traction Control
Principle of Operation ...............................
224
Using Traction Control ..............................
224
Stability Control
Principle of Operation ...............................
225Using Stability Control
..............................
226
Hill Descent Control
What Is Hill Descent Control ..................
228
Switching Hill Descent Control On and Off ................................................................
228
Setting the Hill Descent Speed .............
228
Hill Descent Control Indicator ................
229
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation ...............................
230
Rear Parking Aid ..........................................
230
Front Parking Aid .........................................
232
Side Sensing System .................................
234
Active Park Assist .......................................
235
Rear View Camera ......................................
238
360 Degree Camera ...................................
241
Cruise Control
What Is Cruise Control ..............................
244
Switching Cruise Control On and Off ........................................................................\
244
Setting the Cruise Control Speed ........
244
Canceling the Set Speed .........................
245
Resuming the Set Speed .........................
245
Cruise Control Indicators .........................
245
Adaptive Cruise Control
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go Work .................................
246
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control With Lane Centering ........................................
246
What Is Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control ........................................................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering .............................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ..................................
246
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Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations -
Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering ..............................247
Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ..................................
248
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On and Off .......................................................
250
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Speed .........................................................
250
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Gap ........................................................................\
.
251
Canceling the Set Speed .........................
252
Resuming the Set Speed .........................
252
Overriding the Set Speed .........................
252
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering ..............................
253
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ...................................
253
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Intelligent Adaptive
Cruise Control ..........................................
253
Switching From Adaptive Cruise Control to Cruise Control .....................................
253
Switching Lane Centering On and Off ........................................................................\
254
Switching Intelligent Mode On and Off ........................................................................\
255
Adjusting the Set Speed Tolerance ......
255
Adaptive Cruise Control – Troubleshooting ......................................
256
Driving Aids
Driver Alert ....................................................
259
Lane Keeping System ...............................
260
Blind Spot Information System ............
264
Cross Traffic Alert .......................................
268
Traffic Sign Recognition ............................
272
Steering ...........................................................
273
Pre-Collision Assist ....................................
274Drive Mode Control
What Is Drive Mode Control
....................
279
Selecting a Drive Mode .............................
279
Drive Modes ..................................................
279
Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage .........................
281
Cargo Nets ......................................................
281
Luggage Covers ...........................................
282
Roof Racks and Load Carriers ...............
282
Load Limit ......................................................
283
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
289
Trailer Sway Control ..................................
290
Recommended Towing Weights ..........
290
Essential Towing Checks .........................
293
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels .....
295
Driving Hints
Reduced Engine Performance ..............
296
Economical Driving ....................................
296
Cold Weather Precautions ......................
297
Breaking-In ....................................................
297
Driving Through Water ..............................
297
Floor Mats .....................................................
298
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance .................................
299
Hazard Flashers ..........................................
300
Fuel Shutoff .................................................
300
Jump Starting the Vehicle ........................
301
Collision, Damage or Fire Event ............
303
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
304
Transporting the Vehicle .........................
304
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need .............
306
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
307
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