2021 FORD EXPLORER check engine light

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out and an
authorized dealer should check them. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, an
authorized dealer should check your vehicle.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Wheels
(page 348).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle and reduce engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Switch the engine off, move the
transmission to park (P) and apply the
parking brake. Inspect the accelerator
pedal and the area around it for any items
or debris that may be obstructing its
movement. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when you
brake heavily by measuring the rate at
which you press the brake pedal. It
provides maximum braking efficiency as
long as you press the pedal. Emergency
brake assist can reduce stopping distances
in critical situations. Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you switch the
ignition on or apply the parking
brake. If the light does not illuminate
during start up, remains on or flashes,
except when you switch the ignition on or
apply the parking brake, the anti-lock
braking system may be disabled. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the anti-lock brake system is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. See
Warning Lamps and Indicators (page
107).
Note: Indicators vary depending on region. This lamp also illuminates
momentarily when you switch
the ignition on or apply the
parking brake to confirm the
lamp is working. If it does not
illuminate when you switch the
ignition on, apply the parking brake, or if it
begins to flash at any time, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the brake warning lamp illuminates with
the parking brake released, have the
system checked immediately.
Regenerative Braking System
This feature is used to simulate the engine
braking of an internal combustion engine
and assist the standard brake system while
recovering some of the energy of motion
and storing it in the battery to improve fuel
economy. The standard brake system is
designed to fully stop the car if
regenerative braking is not available.
During regenerative braking, the motor is
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•
Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 395 lb (180 kg) of weight
carried).
• Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a
trailer may reduce fuel economy at any
speed.
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
• To maximize the fuel economy, drive
with the tonneau cover installed (if
equipped).
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first
5–10 mi
(12 –16 km) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of some
components and systems can be affected
at temperatures below approximately
-13°F (-25°C)
. BREAKING-IN
Tires
You need to break in new tires for
approximately
300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.
Brakes and Clutch
Avoid heavy use of the brakes and clutch
if possible for the first
100 mi (160 km) in
town and for the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km)
on freeways.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING:
Do not drive through
flowing or deep water as you may lose
control of your vehicle.
Note: Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the front
rocker area of your vehicle. 296
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8. Install the air filter housing cover.
9. Engage the clips to secure the air filter
housing cover to the air filter housing.
10. Reconnect the boot to the air filter housing cover and torque to 3.69 lb.ft
(5 Nm).
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK WARNING:
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. WARNING:
Do not put coolant in
the windshield washer reservoir. If
sprayed on the windshield, coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield. WARNING:
To reduce the risk of
personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant
pressure relief cap. The cooling system
is under pressure. Steam and hot liquid
can come out forcefully when you loosen
the cap slightly. WARNING:
Do not add coolant
further than the MAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at
the intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 482).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the
MIN and the MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir. Note:
Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between
-29°F (-34°C) and -35°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.
Adding Coolant WARNING:
Do not add engine
coolant when the engine is on or the
cooling system is hot. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury. WARNING:
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. WARNING:
Do not put coolant in
the windshield washer reservoir. If
sprayed on the windshield, coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.
Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable.
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After battery replacement, or in some
cases after charging the battery with an
external charger, the battery management
system requires eight hours of vehicle sleep
time to relearn the battery state of charge.
During this time your vehicle must remain
fully locked with the ignition switched off.
Note:
Prior to relearning the battery state
of charge, the battery management system
may temporarily disable some electrical
systems.
Electrical Accessory Installation
To make sure the battery management
system works correctly, do not connect an
electrical device ground connection
directly to the battery negative post. This
can cause inaccurate measurements of
the battery condition and potential
incorrect system operation.
Note: If you add electrical accessories or
components to the vehicle, it may adversely
affect battery performance and durability.
This may also affect the performance of
other electrical systems in the vehicle.
Remove and Reinstall the Battery
To disconnect or remove the battery, do
the following:
1. Apply the parking brake and switch the
ignition off.
2. Switch all electrical equipment off, for
example lights and radio.
3. Wait a minimum of two minutes before
disconnecting the battery.
Note: The engine management system has
a power hold function and remains powered
for a period of time after you switch the
ignition off. This is to allow diagnostic and
adaptive tables to be stored. Disconnecting
the battery without waiting can cause
damage not covered by the vehicle
Warranty. 4. Disconnect the negative battery cable
terminal.
5. Disconnect the positive battery cable terminal.
6. Remove the battery securing clamp.
7. Remove the battery.
8. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Note: Before reconnecting the battery,
make sure the ignition remains switched off.
Note: Make sure the battery cable terminals
are fully tightened.
If you disconnect or replace the vehicle
battery, you must reset the following
features:
• Window bounce-back. See Power
Windows (page 96).
• Clock Settings.
• Pre-set radio stations.
Battery Disposal Make sure that you dispose of
old batteries in an
environmentally friendly way.
Seek advice from your local authority
about recycling old batteries.
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
Vertical Aim Adjustment
If your vehicle has been involved in a crash,
have the aim of the headlamp beam
checked by an authorized dealer.
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Body
•
Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.
• Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.
• Touch-up exposed 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 you wash your vehicle.
• Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
• Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
Engine
• Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast
idle with the climate controls set to
defrost until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
• With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle. Cooling system
•
Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Disconnecting Your 12 Volt Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.
Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if you disconnect the battery
cables.
Plugging in Your HYBRID
We recommend the following options for
your plug-in vehicle (PHEV) :
• Leave your vehicle plugged in. The 12
volt battery maintains power if left
plugged in. However, this periodically
uses electricity from the household
outlet.
• Connect a battery charger to your 12
volt battery and leave it on a
continuous, slow charge.
• Disconnect the 12 volt battery. If your
12 volt battery is located in the luggage
compartment, do not fully shut the
luggage compartment after
disconnecting the 12 volt battery. Only
leave the luggage compartment open
if your vehicle is stored in a locked
location.
Brakes
• Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Vehicle Care

GENERAL INFORMATION
The recommended tire inflation pressures
are found on the Tire Label which is
located on the B-pillar or the edge of the
driver door. This information can also be
found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label, affixed to either the
door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver
’s seating position.
We strongly recommend maintaining these
tire pressures at all times. Failure to follow
the tire pressure recommendations can
cause uneven treadwear patterns, reduced
fuel economy, and adversely affect the
way your vehicle handles.
Note: Check and set the tire pressure at the
ambient temperature in which you are
intending to drive your vehicle and when the
tires are cold.
Note: Check your tire pressures at least
once per month.
If your vehicle has a spare tire, set the
pressure to the highest value given for your
vehicle and tire size combination.
Use only approved wheels and tire sizes;
using other sizes could damage your
vehicle.
If you change the diameter of the factory
installed tires, the speedometer could
display the incorrect speed. This could
effect the functionality of the 4WD system
(if equipped). Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer and have the engine
management system reprogrammed.
If you intend to change the size of the
factory installed tires, check the suitability
with an authorized dealer.
Additional information related to the
functionality and maintenance of your tires
can be found in the Wheels and Tire
section. See Tire Care (page 353). Self-Sealing Tires
(If Equipped)
Self-Sealing tires are a special type of tire
that have a material on the inside of the
tire that can seal punctures up to
0.2 in
(6 mm) in diameter in the tread area. This
material does not protect from damage or
punctures in the sidewall of the tire.
Self-sealing tires can be identified by the
tire manufacturer with a special mark.
If your TPMS warning light comes on,
inspect your tires for damage and re-inflate
your tires to the pressure indicated on the
tire placard. See
Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (page 368). If your
tires are damaged or continue to lose air,
take your vehicle to the nearest authorized
dealer to have your tires inspected and
repaired/replaced as necessary.
Note: Replace self-sealing tires with
self-sealing tires to maintain the
functionality provided.
Note: Do not drive on a deflated
self-sealing tire. This damages the tire
beyond repair.
Notice to utility vehicle and truck
owners WARNING:
Vehicles with a higher
center of gravity (utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles) handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity
(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,
excessive speed and abrupt steering in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously
increases the risk of losing control of your
vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. WARNING:
In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a
seatbelt.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Wheels and Tires

Check Every Month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level.
Holes and slots in the tail pipe to make sure they are functional and clear of debris. Check Every Six Months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
Seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and seatbelt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-Point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,
it is important to have the systems on your
vehicle checked regularly. This can help
identify potential issues and prevent major
problems. We recommend having the
following multi-point inspection performed
at every scheduled maintenance interval
to help make sure your vehicle keeps
running great.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

3
360 Degree Camera....................................241
Front Camera...................................................... 242
Side Camera........................................................ 243
Using the System............................................... 242
4
4WD See: Four-Wheel Drive..................................... 207
9
911 Assist...........................................................55
A
A/C See: Climate Control......................................... 139
About This Manual...........................................9
ABS See: Brakes............................................................ 214
ABS driving hints See: Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes................................................................. 215
Accessories....................................................479
Accessories See: Replacement Parts
Recommendation............................................ 12
Active Park Assist........................................235 Using Active Park Assist.................................. 236
Adaptive Cruise Control
............................246
Adaptive Cruise Control –
Troubleshooting............................................ 256
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
System Warnings............................................... 253
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
Sensor Limitations............................................ 248
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
Hilly Condition Usage....................................... 247
When Following a Vehicle............................... 247
Adaptive Cruise Control – Troubleshooting........................................256
Adaptive Cruise Control – Information Messages......................................................... 256
Adaptive Headlamps
...................................90
System Check....................................................... 90
Adjusting the Headlamps
........................338
Vertical Aim Adjustment................................ 338
Adjusting the Set Speed Tolerance.....................................................255
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column...........................................................80
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column...........................................................80
End of Travel Position.......................................... 81
Memory Feature.................................................... 81
AFS See: Adaptive Headlamps............................... 90
Airbag Disposal
...............................................53
Air Conditioning See: Climate Control......................................... 139
Air Filter See: Changing the Engine Air Filter - 2.3L
EcoBoost™..................................................... 328
See: Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.0L.................................................................... 329
See: Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.3L.................................................................... 330
Alarm See: Anti-Theft Alarm........................................ 78
Ambient Lighting - Vehicles With: 10.1 Inch Information and Entertainment
Display Screen
..............................................92
Adjusting the Brightness................................... 93
559
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index