
AT A GLANCE - ST
Exterior
•
Front and rear fascias feature unique
ST grille and unique finish.
• ST badging in front grille and on rear
liftgate.
• Trim features unique ST gloss black
finish.
• E-X-P-L-O-R-E-R lettering across
hood.
• Blackout treatment on headlight and
taillight lenses.
Interior
• Unique ST interior trim.
• Ford Performance sill plates.
• ST flat-bottom steering wheel with
integrated transmission shift paddle
controls.
• Selectable Drive Mode controller with
7 settings (Normal, Eco, Sport, Trail,
Slippery, Deep Snow/Sand and
Tow/Haul).
• Unique electronic sound enhancement
in Sport Selectable Drive Mode.
Chassis
• Unique ST-tuned suspension featuring
32 N/mm front coil springs and a 34
mm hollow front stabilizer bar and 106
N/mm rear coil springs and a 21.7 mm
hollow rear stabilizer bar.
• Standard ST brake system consists of
345 mm diameter vented front rotors
with two piston calipers and low-dust
linings; 326 mm solid rear rotors with
single-piston brake calipers and
electric integrated park brake with low
dust linings. •
Optional ST braking system includes
363 mm diameter vented front rotors
with heavy duty two-piston calipers
and low-dust linings; 350 mm diameter
vented rear rotors with heavy-duty
single-piston brake calipers and
electric integrated park brake with
low-dust linings; system requires 21 x
9-inch wheels and P275/45R21
all-season tires.
• Optional low-metallic brake linings are
included with optional P275/45R21
summer tire (late availability).
• ST-tuned electric power assist steering
rack and pinion.
• AdvanceTrac with stability
enhancement system with four modes:
Default, Traction Control Off, Sport and
Disabled.
• Aluminum ST 20 in (50.8 cm) x 8.5 in
(21.6 cm) wheels standard; 21 in
(53.3 cm) x 9 in (22.9 cm) wheels
optional.
• P255/55R20 all-season tires or
optional P275/45R21 all-season tires.
Powertrain
• 3.0L V6 DOHC GTDI engine, 400
horsepower, 415 lb-ft.
• 10R60 10-speed automatic
transmission with SelectShift manual
shift mode.
• 3.58 axle ratios.
• Unique transmission calibration in
Sport Selectable Drive Mode.
• Dual exhaust with quad-tip outlets.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing At a Glance 

Seatbelt fastened.
A
Seatbelt not fastened.
B
Seatbelt recently unfastened.
C
Fault
D
Deactivating and Activating the
Belt-Minder Feature - Front outermost
seats only WARNING: While the system
allows you to deactivate it, this system
is designed to improve your chances of
being safely belted and surviving an
accident. We recommend you leave the
system activated for yourself and others
who may use the vehicle.
Note: The driver and front passenger
warnings switch on and off independently.
When you perform this procedure for one
seating position, do not buckle the other
position as this terminates the process.
Read Steps 1 - 4 before starting the
procedure.
Make sure that:
• You set the parking brake.
• The transmission is in park (P).
• The ignition is off.
• You close all vehicle doors.
• You unbuckle the driver and front
passenger seatbelts. 1.
Switch the ignition on.  Do not start the
engine.
2. Wait until the seatbelt warning lamp turns off (about one minute). After
Step 2, wait an additional five seconds
before proceeding with Step 3. Once
you start Step 3, you must complete
the procedure within 60 seconds.
3. For the seating position you are switching off, buckle then unbuckle the
seatbelt three times at a moderate
speed, ending in the unbuckled state.
After Step 3, the seatbelt warning lamp
turns on.
4. When the seatbelt warning lamp is on,
buckle then unbuckle the seatbelt.
After Step 4, the seatbelt warning lamp
flashes for confirmation.
• This switches the feature off if it is
currently on.
• This switches the feature on if it is
currently off.
CHILD RESTRAINT AND
SEATBELT MAINTENANCE
Inspect the vehicle seatbelts and child
safety seat systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not
damaged. Inspect the vehicle and child
restraint seatbelts to make sure there are
no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if
necessary. All vehicle seatbelt assemblies,
including retractors, buckles, front seatbelt
buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped),
shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), shoulder belt guide on seat
backrest (if equipped), child safety seat
LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after a
crash. Read the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions for additional
inspection and maintenance information
specific to the child restraint.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatbeltsE274703   

Car Finder
Press the button twice within
three seconds.  The horn sounds
and the direction indicators
flash.  We recommend you use this method
to locate your vehicle, rather than using
the panic alarm.
Sounding the Panic Alarm
Note: The panic alarm only operates when
the ignition is off. Press the button to sound the
panic alarm.  Press the button
again or switch the ignition on to
turn it off.
Remote Start (If Equipped) WARNING: Do not start the engine
in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes are toxic. Always
open the garage door before you start
the engine. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death.
Note: Do not use remote start if your fuel
level is low. The remote start button is on the
remote control.
This feature allows you to start your
vehicle from the outside.  Your remote
control has an extended operating range.
If your vehicle has automatic climate
control, you can configure it to operate
when you remote start your vehicle.
 See
Climate Control (page 139). A manual
climate control system runs at the setting
it was set to when you switched your
vehicle off. Many states and provinces have
restrictions for the use of remote start.
Check your local and state or provincial
laws for specific requirements regarding
remote start systems.
The system does not work if:
•
The ignition is on.
• The anti-theft alarm triggers.
• You disable the feature.
• The hood is open.
• The transmission is not in park (P).
• The battery voltage is below the
minimum operating voltage.
• The service engine soon light is on.
Remote Control Feedback (If
Equipped)
An LED on the remote control provides
status feedback of remote start or stop
commands. Status
LED
Remote startsuccessful
Solid green
Remote stopsuccessful
Solid red
Request failed or
status not received
Blinking red
Status incomplete
Blinking green
Remote Starting Your Vehicle
Note:  You must press each button within
three seconds of each other.  If you do not
follow this sequence, your vehicle does not
start remotely, the direction indicators do
not flash twice and the horn does not sound.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Keys and Remote ControlsE138623 E138624 E138625  

To remote start your vehicle:
1. Press the lock button to lock all the
doors.
2. Press the remote start button twice. The exterior lamps flash twice.
The horn sounds if the system fails to start,
unless quiet start is on.  Quiet start runs
the blower fan at a slower speed to reduce
noise. You can switch it on or off in the
information display.
Note: If you have remote started your
vehicle with an integrated keyhead
transmitter, you must switch on the ignition
before driving your vehicle. With an
intelligent access transmitter, you must
press the brake pedal before driving your
vehicle.
The power windows do not work during
remote start and the radio does not turn
on automatically.
The parking lamps remain on and your
vehicle will run for 5, 10 or 15 minutes,
depending on the setting.
Extending the Engine Running Time
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with the vehicle still
running to extend the run time for another
remote start period.  If you have the
duration set to 15 minutes, the duration
extends by another 15 minutes.  For
example, if the vehicle has run from the
first remote start for five minutes, the
vehicle continues to run now for a total of
30 minutes.  You can extend the remote
start up to a maximum of 35 minutes. Wait at least five seconds before remote
starting after the engine stops running.
Turning Your Vehicle Off After Remote
Starting
Press the button once.  Your
vehicle and the parking lamps
turn off.
You may have to be closer to your vehicle
than when starting due to ground reflection
and the added noise of your running
vehicle.
You can switch this feature on or off in the
information display.
REPLACING A LOST KEY OR
REMOTE CONTROL
Replacement keys or remote controls can
be purchased from an authorized dealer.
Authorized dealers can program remote
controls for your vehicle.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Keys and Remote ControlsE138626 E138625  

Note:
Not every feature applies to every
vehicle in every market. When they are
available for your vehicle, then they appear
in your information display, providing
choices to switch them on or off, or to select
a more specific setting.
• Various vehicle speed limits so the
MyKey driver cannot exceed certain
speeds. The information display shows
warnings followed by an audible tone
when the MyKey driver reaches the set
speed. You cannot override the set
speed by fully depressing the
accelerator pedal. WARNING: Do not set MyKey
maximum speed limit to a limit that will
prevent the driver from maintaining a
safe speed considering posted speed
limits and prevailing road conditions. The
driver is always responsible to drive in
accordance with local laws and
prevailing conditions. Failure to do so
could result in accident or injury. •
Various vehicle speed reminders so
MyKey drivers know when their vehicle
speed approaches the limits. Warnings
appear in your information display and
a tone sounds when the MyKey drivers
exceed the set vehicle speed.
• The audio system's maximum volume
limits to 45% so MyKey drivers can
concentrate on the road. A message
appears in the information display
when MyKey drivers attempt to exceed
the limited volume. MyKey also
disables the automatic volume control.
Note:
 If your vehicle includes an
AM/FM radio or a very basic audio
system, then the radio may not limit.
• Always on setting. This setting forces
certain features to remain on and
active for MyKey drivers. For example,
E911 or emergency assistance and the
do not disturb features stay on even if
a MyKey driver uses the feature's
control to switch it off. When selected,
you will not be able to turn off Advance
Trac or traction control (if your vehicle
has this feature).
CREATING A MYKEY
Use the touchscreen to create a MyKey:
1. Insert the key you want to program into
the ignition. If your vehicle has a
push-button start, place the remote
control into the backup slot.  See
Starting a Gasoline Engine
 (page
173).
2. Switch the ignition on.
3. Access the main menu in the touchscreen and then scroll through
the menus to change the settings of
your MyKey. From the MyKey menu,
select the option Create MyKey.  See
Settings
 (page 464).
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing MyKey
™ 

Illuminated Exit
The interior lamps and some exterior
lamps illuminate when all doors close and
you switch the ignition off.
The lamps turn off if all the doors remain
closed and:
•
25 seconds have elapsed.
• You lock your vehicle from the outside.
Battery Saver
If you leave the courtesy lamps, interior
lamps or headlamps on, the battery saver
shuts them off 10 minutes after you switch
the ignition off.
Battery Saver for Intelligent Access
Keys (If Equipped)
If you leave the ignition switched on and
the engine is not running, the battery saver
turns the ignition off when it detects a
certain amount of battery drain, or after
45 minutes have elapsed.
KEYLESS ENTRY (IF EQUIPPED)
SECURICODE™ Keyless Entry
Keypad
The keypad is near the driver window.  It
illuminates when touched.
Note:  If you enter your entry code too fast
on the keypad, the unlock function may not
work.  Enter your entry code again more
slowly. You can use the keypad to do the
following:
•
Lock or unlock the doors.
• Program and erase user codes.
• Arm and disarm the anti-theft alarm.
You can operate the keypad with the
factory-set five-digit entry code.  The code
is on the owner's wallet card in the glove
box and is available from an authorized
dealer.  You can also program up to five of
your own five-digit personal entry codes.
Programming a Personal Entry Code
1. Enter the factory-set five-digit code.
2. Press 
1·2 on the keypad within five
seconds.
3. Enter your personal five-digit code. You
must enter each number within five
seconds of each other.
4. Press 
1·2 on the keypad to save
personal code 1.
The doors lock then unlock to confirm that
programming was successful.
72
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Doors and LocksE138637   

PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT
SYSTEM
Note:
 The system is not compatible with
non-Ford aftermarket remote start systems.
Use of these systems could result in vehicle
starting problems and a loss of security
protection.
Note: Metallic objects, electronic devices
or a second coded key on the same key
chain could cause vehicle starting problems
if they are too close to the key when starting
the engine. Prevent these objects from
touching the coded key while starting the
engine. Switch the ignition off, move all
objects on the key chain away from the
coded key and restart the engine if a
problem occurs.
Note: Do not leave a duplicate coded key
in the vehicle. Always take your keys and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle.
SecuriLock®
The system is an engine immobilization
system.  It helps to prevent anyone from
starting the engine without using a coded
key programmed to your vehicle.  Using the
wrong key could prevent the engine from
starting.  A message may appear in the
information display.
If you are unable to start the engine with a
correctly coded key, there is a problem with
the system and a message could appear
in the information display.
Automatic Arming
The vehicle arms immediately after you
switch the ignition off.
Automatic Disarming
Switching the ignition on with a coded key
disarms the vehicle. Replacement Keys
Note:
Your vehicle comes with two
integrated keyhead transmitters or two
intelligent access keys.
The integrated keyhead transmitter
functions as a programmed ignition key
that operates all the locks and starts the
vehicle, as well as a remote control.
The intelligent access key functions as a
programmed key that operates the driver
door lock and activates the intelligent
access with push button start system, as
well as a remote control.
If your programmed transmitters or
standard SecuriLock coded keys
(integrated keyhead transmitters only) are
lost or stolen and you do not have an extra
coded key, you will need to have your
vehicle towed to an authorized dealer.  You
need to erase the key codes from your
vehicle and program new coded keys.
Store an extra programmed key away from
the vehicle in a safe place to help prevent
any inconveniences. See your authorized
dealer to purchase additional spare or
replacement keys.
Programming a Spare Intelligent
Access Key (If Equipped)
See your authorized dealer to have
additional keys programmed to your
vehicle.
ANTI-THEFT ALARM
 (IF EQUIPPED)
The system will warn you of an
unauthorized entry to your vehicle. It will
be triggered if any door, the luggage
compartment or the hood is opened
without using the key, remote control or
keyless entry keypad.
The direction indicators will flash and the
horn will sound if unauthorized entry is
attempted while the alarm is armed.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Security 

CRUISE CONTROL - VEHICLES
WITH: CRUISE CONTROL
See What Is Cruise Control (page 244).
INFORMATION DISPLAY
CONTROL See 
Information Displays (page 112).
HEATED STEERING WHEEL
 (IF
EQUIPPED)
The heated steering wheel button is on the
climate controls. Press the button to switch the
heated steering wheel on and
off. Note:
You can use the heated steering
wheel only when the engine is running.
Note: The system uses a sensor and is
designed to control the temperature of the
steering wheel and to prevent it from
overheating.
Note: In warm temperatures, the steering
wheel quickly reaches its maximum
temperature and the system reduces the
current to the heating element. This could
cause you to think that the system has
stopped working but it has not. This is
normal.
HORN 83
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Steering WheelE280796 E280795  E270945