2021 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

Note:
Do not place objects under the front
seats as this may interfere with the airflow
to the rear seats.
Note: Remove any snow, ice or leaves from
the air intake area at the base of the
windshield.
Note: To improve the time to reach a
comfortable temperature in hot weather,
drive with the windows open until you feel
cold air through the air vents.
Automatic Climate Control
Note: Adjusting the settings when your
vehicle interior is extremely hot or cold is
not necessary. Automatic mode is best
recommended to maintain set temperature.
Note: The system adjusts to heat or cool
the interior to the temperature you select
as quickly as possible.
Note: For the system to function efficiently,
the instrument panel and side air vents
should be fully open.
Note: If you select AUTO during cold
outside temperatures, the system directs
air flow to the windshield and side window
air vents. In addition, the blower motor may
run at a slower speed until the engine warms
up.
Note: If you select
AUTO during hot
temperatures and the inside of the vehicle
is hot, the system uses recirculated air to
maximize interior cooling. Blower motor
speed may also reduce until the air cools.
Quickly Heating the Interior
1. Press and release
AUTO.
2. Adjust the temperature function to the
setting you prefer.
Recommended Settings for
Heating
1. Press and release
AUTO. 2.
Adjust the temperature function to the
setting you prefer. Use
72°F (22°C) as
a starting point, then adjust the setting
as necessary.
Quickly Cooling the Interior
1. Press and release
MAX A/C.
Recommended Settings for
Cooling
1. Press and release
AUTO.
2. Adjust the temperature function to the
setting you prefer. Use
72°F (22°C) as
a starting point, then adjust the setting
as necessary.
Defogging the Side Windows in
Cold Weather
1. Press and release defrost or maximum
defrost.
2. Adjust the temperature control to the setting you prefer. Use
72°F (22°C) as
a starting point, then adjust the setting
as necessary.
REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE
CONTROLS Note:
Depending on your vehicle option
package, the controls may look different
from what you see here.
142
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Climate ControlE289989

Directing Air to the Overhead Air
Vents
Press and release the button to
direct airflow to the overhead air
vents.
Directing Air to the Rear Footwell
Air Vents Press and release the button to
direct airflow to rear footwell air
vents.
Rear Climate Control Lock
Indicator When illuminated, you can only
operate the rear passenger
settings through the front
controls.
Setting the Rear Blower Motor
Speed Turn the control to adjust the volume of
air circulated in the rear passenger
compartment. Setting the Rear Temperature
Turn the control to set the temperature in
the rear passenger compartment.
Switching the Rear Climate
Control On and Off
Press and release the button.
Switching the Rear Heated Seats
On and Off (If Equipped) See
Heated Seats (page 158).
HEATED WINDSHIELD
(IF
EQUIPPED)
Windshield Wiper De-Icer When you switch the heated rear
window on, the windshield wiper
de-icer turns on.
143
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Climate ControlE244097 E265389 E265862 E184884

HEATED REAR WINDOW
Press the button to clear the rear
window of thin ice and fog. The
heated rear window turns off
after a short period of time.
Note: Do not use harsh chemicals, razor
blades or other sharp objects to clean or
remove decals from the inside of the heated
rear window. The vehicle warranty may not
cover damage to the heated rear window
grid lines.
HEATED EXTERIOR MIRRORS
(IF EQUIPPED)
When you switch the heated rear window
on, the heated exterior mirrors turn on.
Note: Do not remove ice from the mirrors
with a scraper or adjust the mirror glass
when it is frozen in place.
Note: Do not clean the mirror housing or
glass with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum-based cleaning products. The
vehicle warranty may not cover damage
caused to the mirror housing or glass.
REMOTE START (IF EQUIPPED)
The climate control system adjusts the
interior temperature during remote start.
You can switch this feature on or off and
adjust the settings using the touchscreen.
See
Settings (page 464).
You cannot adjust the climate control
setting during remote start operation.
Switch the ignition on to make
adjustments. Based on your remote start settings, the
following vehicle-dependent features may
or may not remain on after remote starting
your vehicle:
•
Climate controlled seats.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Heated mirrors.
• Heated rear window.
• Windshield wiper de-icer.
Note: For dual zone climate controlled
seats, the passenger seat setting defaults
to match the driver seat during remote start.
Automatic Settings
If
Auto is on, the system sets the interior
temperature to 72°F (22°C) and heats or
cools the vehicle interior as required to
achieve comfort.
Note: In cold weather, the heated rear
window and heated mirrors turn on.
Last Settings
If
Last Settings is on, the system uses the
settings last selected before you turned
off the vehicle.
Heated and Cooled Features
In Auto mode, certain heated features may
switch on during cold weather, and cooled
features during hot weather.
144
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Climate ControlE184884

WHAT IS THE CABIN AIR
FILTER
The cabin air filter improves the quality of
air in your vehicle by trapping dust, pollen
and other particles.
REPLACING THE CABIN AIR
FILTER
Replace the filter at regular intervals. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 482).
The cabin air filter is behind the glove
compartment.
To remove the lower glove compartment
and access the filter:
1. Open the glove compartment. 2. Press the tab on each side.
3. Fully lower the glove compartment.
4. Pull the glove compartment toward
you.
145
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Interior Air QualityE311296

SITTING IN THE CORRECT
POSITION
WARNING: Sitting improperly, out
of position or with the seatback reclined
too far can take weight off the seat
cushion and affect the decision of the
passenger sensing system, resulting in
serious injury or death in the event of a
crash. Always sit upright against your
seat back, with your feet on the floor. WARNING: Do not recline the seat
backrest too far as this can cause the
occupant to slide under the seatbelt,
resulting in personal injury in the event
of a crash. WARNING:
Do not place objects
higher than the top of the seat backrest.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in personal injury or death in the
event of a sudden stop or crash. When you use them properly, the seat,
head restraint, seatbelt and airbags will
provide optimum protection in the event
of a crash. We recommend that you follow these
guidelines:
•
Sit in an upright position with the base
of your spine as far back as possible.
• Do not recline the seat backrest so that
your torso is more than 30 degrees
from the upright position.
• Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of it is level with the top of your
head and as far forward as possible.
Make sure that you remain
comfortable.
• Keep sufficient distance between
yourself and the steering wheel. We
recommend a minimum of
10 in
(25 cm) between your breastbone and
the airbag cover.
• Hold the steering wheel with your arms
slightly bent.
• Bend your legs slightly so that you can
press the pedals fully.
• Position the shoulder strap of the
seatbelt over the center of your
shoulder and position the lap strap
tightly across your hips.
Make sure that your driving position is
comfortable and that you can maintain full
control of your vehicle.
HEAD RESTRAINTS WARNING:
Fully adjust the head
restraint before you sit in or operate your
vehicle. This will help minimize the risk
of neck injury in the event of a crash. Do
not adjust the head restraint when your
vehicle is moving.
146
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatsE68595

WARNING: The head restraint is a
safety device. Whenever possible it
should be installed and properly
adjusted when the seat is occupied.
Failure to adjust the head restraint
properly could reduce its effectiveness
during certain impacts.
Note: Adjust the seat backrest to an upright
driving position before adjusting the head
restraint. Adjust the head restraint so that
the top of it is level with the top of your head
and as far forward as possible. Make sure
that you remain comfortable. If you are
extremely tall, adjust the head restraint to
its highest position.
Adjusting the Head Restraints
Front Seat Head Restraints The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve adjust and release
button.
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 Head
Restraint (If Equipped)
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve adjust and release
buttons.
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 sleeves
and push the head restraint down until it
locks.
147
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatsE291139 E286400

Second Row Outermost Seat Head
Restraints
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve unlock and remove
buttons.
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 sleeves
and push the head restraint down until it
locks. Third Row Seat Head Restraints The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Fold strap.
C
Folding the Head Restraint
Pull the fold strap (C). Pull the head
restraint back up to reset.
Note: Press the stow or fold button on the
power folding seats to fold the head
restraint.
MANUAL SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Moving the Seat Backward and
Forward WARNING: Do not adjust the driver
seat or seat backrest when your vehicle
is moving. This may result in sudden seat
movement, causing the loss of control
of your vehicle.
148
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatsE333253 E286397

WARNING: Make sure the seat fully
locks into place by rocking it backward
and forward. Not securing the seat into
the locked position can be dangerous in
a crash and could cause serious personal
injury or death. Adjusting the Seat Backrest
WARNING: Always drive and ride
with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips. WARNING:
Do not place cargo or
any objects behind the seat backrest
before returning it to the original position.
Pull on the seat backrest to make sure
that it has fully latched after returning
the seat backrest to its original position.
An unlatched seat may become
dangerous if you stop suddenly or have
a crash. POWER SEATS
WARNING: Do not adjust the driver
seat or seat backrest when your vehicle
is moving. This may result in sudden seat
movement, causing the loss of control
of your vehicle. WARNING:
Do not place cargo or
any objects behind the seatback before
returning it to the original position.
149
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatsE190838 E291151