AUTOMATIC CLIMATE
CONTROL
Note:
Depending on your vehicle option
package, the controls may look different
from what you see here.
Note: You can switch temperature units
between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Note: You can control some of the climate
features through the touchscreen.
Note: For Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
vehicles, the air conditioning compressor
may run, and you may feel airflow when the
climate control is off to provide cooling to
the battery.
Accessing the Air Distribution
Controls Press and release the button to
activate the selection screen.
From the screen, switch directed air from
the windshield, instrument panel or
footwell vents on or off. You can direct air
through any combination of these vents.
See Climate (page 451).
Accessing the Menu Press and release the button to
access different climate
features. Smart Zone - Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(HEV), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(PHEV)
If there is not an occupant in the front
passenger seat, the climate control system
may default to single zone to improve fuel
economy, if you were previously in dual
zone operation. When this occurs, dual
zone turns off and the passenger set point
changes to match the driver set point.
Press the dual zone button on the
touchscreen or adjust the passenger set
point normally to use dual zone operation
without a passenger present. The system
remains in dual zone operation until you
switch the vehicle off.
You can disable or re-enable the Smart
Zone feature by pressing and holding the
dual zone button on the touchscreen. Both
set point displays begin flashing to signify
when the feature disables. The system
returns to previous state after you release
the dual zone button.
Accessing Rear Climate Controls
Press and release the button to
access additional controls for
the rear climate system.
Setting the Blower Motor Speed Press and release + or - to adjust
the volume of air circulated in
the vehicle.
139
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Climate ControlE286493 E265283 E265038 E270447
Setting the Temperature
Press the toggle button on the left-hand
side of the climate control upward or
downward to set the left-hand
temperature.
Note:
This control also adjusts the
right-hand side temperature when you
switch off dual zone mode.
Press the toggle button on the right-hand
side of the climate control upward or
downward to set the right-hand
temperature. Switching Auto Mode On and Off Press and release the button to
switch on automatic operation.
Repeatedly press the button to
adjust auto mode.
The system adjusts the blower motor
speed, air distribution, air conditioning
operation, and outside or recirculated air
to reach and maintain the temperature you
have set.
Under high humidity conditions, the system
adjusts the blower motor speed, air
distribution and air conditioning operation
to reduce window fogging.
Note: The system starts at the previous
setting when you switch on AUTO mode.
Note: You can also switch off dual zone
mode by pressing and holding the button
for more than two seconds.
Auto Mode Indicator Status Description
Auto Mode Indicator
Status
One indicator illumin-
ated. •
The blower motor speed is reduced.
•Use this setting to minimize the amount of noise from
the blower motor.
• This setting increases the time taken to cool the
interior.
Two indicators illumin-
ated. •
The blower motor speed is moderate.
Three indicators illumin-
ated. •
The blower motor speed is increased.
•Use this setting to reduce the time taken to cool the
interior.
• This setting increases the amount of noise from the
blower motor.
140
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Climate ControlE266187 E266186
Switching the Air Conditioning On
and Off
Press and release the button.
Use air conditioning with recirculated air
to improve cooling performance and
efficiency.
Note: In certain conditions, for example,
maximum defrost, the air conditioning
compressor may continue to operate even
though you switch off the air conditioning.
Note: The A/C LED light may turn on and
off based on the temperature setting or the
current conditions.
Switching the Climate Control On
and Off Press and release the button.
Switching Maximum Air
Conditioning On and Off Press and release the button for
maximum cooling.
The driver and passenger temperatures
are set to LO, recirculated air flows through
the instrument panel air vents, air
conditioning turns on and the blower motor
adjusts to the highest speed.
Switching Maximum Defrost On
and Off Press and release the button for
maximum defrosting.
The driver and passenger temperatures
are set to HI, air flows through the
windshield air vents, and the blower motor
adjusts to the highest speed. Note:
Depending on your region, air
conditioning turns on.
You can also use this setting to defog and
clear the windshield of a thin covering of
ice.
Note: To prevent window fogging, you
cannot select recirculated air when
maximum defrost is on.
Note: The heated rear window also turns
on when you select maximum defrost.
Switching Recirculated Air On and
Off Press and release the button to
switch between outside air and
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 reduce unwanted
odors from entering your vehicle.
Note: Recirculated air may turn off, or
prevent you from switching on, in all air flow
modes except
MAX A/C to reduce the risk
of fogging. Recirculation may also turn on
and off in various air distribution control
combinations during hot weather to improve
cooling efficiency.
HINTS ON CONTROLLING THE
INTERIOR CLIMATE
General Hints
Note: Prolonged use of recirculated air may
cause the windows to fog up.
Note: You may feel a small amount of air
from the footwell air vents regardless of the
air distribution setting.
Note: To reduce humidity build-up inside
your vehicle, do not drive with the system
switched off or with recirculated air always
switched on.
141
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Climate Control
Press the heated seat symbol to cycle
through the various heat settings and off.
More indicator lights indicate warmer
settings.
Note:
The heated seats switch on during a
remote start if they are enabled.
Note: The heated seats may switch on
when you start your vehicle if they were on
when you previously switched your vehicle
off.
Automatic Climate Controlled
Seats (If Equipped)
When you switch on the auto setting, the
seats switch between the heated seats
and ventilated seats to match your climate
control setting.
Second Row Heated Seats
The heated seat controls are on the rear
of the center console.
VENTILATED SEATS
(IF EQUIPPED)
Do not do the following:
• Spill liquid on the front seats. This may
cause the air vent holes to become
blocked and not work properly.
• Place cargo or objects under the seats.
They may block the air intake causing
the air vents to not work properly.
The engine must be running to use this
feature. Press this symbol to cycle through the
various ventilation settings and off. More
indicator lights indicate higher fan speeds.
Note:
The ventilated seats switch on during
a remote start if they are enabled.
Note: The ventilated seats may switch on
when you start your vehicle if they were on
when you previously switched your vehicle
off.
If the engine falls below 350 RPM when
the ventilated seats are on, the system
turns off. You need to switch it back on.
Note: To improve comfort, use the
ventilated seats along with the vehicle ’s air
conditioning system.
Automatic Climate Controlled
Seats
(If Equipped)
When you switch on the auto setting, the
seats switch between the heated seats
and ventilated seats to match your climate
control setting.
159
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatsE146322 E224689
AUTO-START-STOP (IF EQUIPPED)
The system helps reduce fuel consumption
by automatically stopping and restarting
the engine when your vehicle has stopped.
The engine restarts automatically when
you release the brake pedal.
In some situations, your vehicle may restart
automatically, for example:
• To maintain interior comfort.
• To recharge the battery.
Note: Power assist steering turns off when
the engine is off.
Note: If your vehicle is flex fuel capable,
Auto-Start-Stop will be inhibited for a short
time after a refuel event while the system
is verifying the fuel type being used. WARNING:
Apply the parking
brake, shift into park (P), switch the
ignition off and remove the key before
you leave your vehicle. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury or death. WARNING:
Apply the parking
brake, shift into park (P), switch the
ignition off and remove the key before
you open the hood or have any service
or repair work completed. If you do not
switch the ignition off, the engine could
restart at any time. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. WARNING:
The system may
require the engine to automatically
restart when the auto-start-stop
indicator illuminates green or flashes
amber. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. The Auto-Start-Stop system status is
available at a glance within the information
display.
See Information Displays (page
112).
Enabling Auto-Start-Stop
The system automatically enables every
time you start your vehicle if:
• You do not press the Auto-Start-Stop
button (not illuminated).
• Your vehicle exceeds an initial speed
of
3 mph (5 km/h) after you have
initially started your vehicle.
• You have stopped your vehicle.
• Your foot is on the brake pedal.
• The driver door is closed.
• The interior compartment has cooled
or warmed to an acceptable level.
• The front windshield defroster is off.
• You have not turned the steering wheel
rapidly or you do not have it at a sharp
angle.
• The vehicle is not on a steep road
grade.
• The battery is within optimal operating
conditions (battery state of charge and
temperature in range).
• The engine coolant is near operating
temperature.
• Elevation is below about
12,000 ft
(3,650 m).
• Ambient temperature is moderate.
• The trailer is not connected.
• If you select Normal, Eco, Snow/Wet
or Grass/Gravel/Snow modes.
• You are not in 4H or 4L.
• You have not selected Manual shift
mode.
• Hill descent control is not active.
• You have not selected Tow haul, Sport,
Sand or Mud/Rut modes.
180
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Unique Driving Characteristics
Note:
Note when in Sport mode it can be
enabled by pressing the Auto-Start-Stop
button. The green Auto-Start-Stop
indicator light on the instrument
cluster will illuminate to indicate
when the automatic engine stop occurs. If the instrument cluster is
equipped with a grey
Auto-Start-Stop indicator light,
it illuminates when automatic engine stop
is not available due to one of the above
noted conditions not being met.
Automatic Engine Restart
Any of the following conditions will result
in an automatic restart of the engine:
• You have removed your foot from the
brake pedal.
• You press the accelerator pedal.
• You press the accelerator and the
brake pedal at the same time.
• The driver safety belt becomes
unfastened or the driver door is ajar.
• Your vehicle is moving.
• The interior compartment does not
meet customer comfort when air
conditioning or heat is on.
• Fogging of the windows could occur
and the air conditioning is on.
• The battery is not within optimal
operating conditions.
• You have exceeded the maximum
engine off time.
• When you press the Auto-Start-Stop
button with the engine automatically
stopped.
• The front defroster is turned to the Max
setting.
• When you shift into park (P), the engine
will restart. Any of the following conditions may result
in an automatic restart of the engine:
•
You have increased the blower fan
speed or changed the climate control
temperature.
• You have an electrical accessory
turned on or plugged in.
Note: You may notice that the climate seat
fan fluctuates during an automatic restart.
Disabling Auto-Start-Stop Press the Auto-Start-Stop button on the
center console to switch the system off.
The button will illuminate. Deactivating
using the button lasts only 1 key cycle.
Press the button again to restore
Auto-Start-Stop function.
Note:
If the Shift to park (P), Restart Engine
message appears and the amber
Auto-Start-Stop indicator light flashes, this
indicates automatic restart is unavailable.
You must restart the vehicle manually. See
Information Displays (page 112).
If your vehicle is in engine off
Auto-Start-Stop, shifting from drive (D) to
reverse (R) will not cause a restart if you
do not press the brake pedal. The message
Auto-Start-Stop Press Brake to Start
Engine appears. You must press the brake
pedal within 60 seconds or the system
requires you to shift into park (P) and
manually restart your vehicle.
181
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Unique Driving Characteristics E146361 E255783
HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
This hybrid vehicle combines electric and
gasoline propulsion to provide
breakthrough performance and improved
efficiency. Familiarizing yourself with these
unique characteristics provides an optimal
driving experience from your vehicle.
Starting
When you start your vehicle, a
green READY indicator light
appears in the instrument cluster
letting you know that your vehicle is ready
for driving.
The engine may not start because your
vehicle has a silent key start feature. This
fuel saving feature allows your vehicle to
be ready to drive without requiring the gas
engine to be running. The indicator remains
on when your vehicle is on, whether the
engine is running or not, to indicate your
vehicle is capable of movement using the
electric motor, gas engine or both.
Typically, the engine does not start unless
the vehicle is cold, a climate control
change is requested or you press the
accelerator pedal.
Driving
The gas engine automatically starts and
stops to provide power when needed and
to save fuel when not needed. When
coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop,
or standing, the gas engine normally shuts
down and your vehicle operates in
electric-only mode.
Conditions that may cause the engine to
start up or remain running include:
• Considerable vehicle acceleration.
• Climbing a hill.
• Charge level of high voltage battery is
low. •
High or low outside temperatures in
order to provide system heating or
cooling.
• Engine not warm enough to provide
passenger requested cabin
temperature.
• Towing a trailer.
• Selectable drive modes: Certain
selectable drive modes may cause the
engine to run. See What Is Drive Mode
Control (page 278).
• Live in Drive: Use of the paddle shifters
while in drive (D) may cause the engine
to run. See Automatic Transmission
(page
201).
Stopping
The gas engine may shut off to conserve
fuel as you come to a stop. Restarting your
vehicle is not required. Simply step on the
accelerator when you are ready to drive.
Transmission Operation
The engine and electric motor together
propel the vehicle through the automatic
transmission. This is normal hybrid
operating and helps deliver fuel efficiency
and performance.
Battery
Your hybrid is equipped with a high voltage
battery. A cool battery maintains battery
life and provides the best possible
performance. The high voltage battery is
cooled by the vehicle's air conditioning
system. When the air conditioning system
is on, you may notice a slight increase in
air temperature coming from the climate
control vents while the battery is cooling.
You may also notice cool air flowing from
the vents when the air conditioning or
blower is off.
182
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Unique Driving CharacteristicsE293827
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 or
regular unleaded gasoline blended with a
maximum of 85% ethanol (E85).
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 288).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty. Do not use:
•
Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline
We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km)
to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
186
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513