2021 FORD EXPLORER four wheel drive

Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”
the brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice WARNING: If you are driving in
slippery conditions that require tire
chains or cables, then it is critical that
you drive cautiously. Keep speeds down,
allow for longer stopping distances and
avoid aggressive steering to reduce the
chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death.
If the rear end of your vehicle slides while
cornering, steer in the direction of the
slide until you regain control of your
vehicle.
Note: Excessive tire slippage can cause
driveline damage.
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD
vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like
any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and
ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a
4WD vehicle could accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,
it will not stop any faster, because as in
other vehicles, braking occurs at all four
wheels. Do not become overconfident as
to road conditions. Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. Since your vehicle comes
with a four wheel (ABS), do not
“pump”
the brakes. See Hints on Driving With
Anti-Lock Brakes (page 215).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, we
strongly recommend that you do not make
modifications such as adding or removing
parts (such as lowering kits or stabilizer
bars) or by using replacement parts not
equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise
the center of gravity can make it more likely
the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss
of control. We strongly recommend that
caution be used with any vehicle equipped
with a high load or device (such as ladder
or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly
could void the warranty, increase your
repair cost, reduce vehicle performance
and operational capabilities and adversely
affect driver and passenger safety.
Frequent inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to off-highway usage.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

WHAT IS DRIVE MODE
CONTROL
The system delivers a driving experience
through a suite of sophisticated electronic
vehicle systems. These systems optimize
steering, handling and powertrain
response. This provides a single location
to control multiple systems performance
settings.
Changing the drive mode changes the
functionality of the following systems:
•
Electric power-assisted steering
system adjusts steering effort and feel
based on the mode you select. See
Steering (page 273).
• Electronic stability control and traction
control maintain your vehicle control
in adverse conditions or high
performance driving. See
Stability
Control (page 225).
• Electronic throttle control enhances
the powertrain response to your driving
inputs.
• Transmission controls become
optimized with shift schedules tuned
to each mode.
• Four-wheel drive settings are optimized
and tuned to each mode.
• Electric vehicle mode selections may
be limited. See
Hybrid Vehicle
Operation (page 182).
The system tailors your vehicle
configuration for each mode you select.
Note: Not all settings may be available.
Note: The system has diagnostic checks
that continuously monitor the system for
proper operation. If a mode is unavailable
due to a system fault or change in gear
shifter position, the mode defaults to
Normal. SELECTING A DRIVE MODE
Note:
Drive mode changes may not be
available when the ignition is off or when
the engine is not running.
Note: Button icons shown may vary from
your vehicle. Rotate the drive mode dial on the center
console to select or change a drive mode.
To select drive modes for RWD vehicles
use the console mounted control.
DRIVE MODES
Deep Snow/Sand
(If Equipped)
For snow or soft dry sand. When
stuck in deep snow, use this
mode to help get unstuck.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Drive Mode ControlE298238 E297643 E295420

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
WARNING: If your vehicle has a
steering wheel lock make sure the
ignition is in the accessory or on position
when being towed.
If your vehicle becomes inoperable without
access to wheel dollies or a vehicle
transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with
all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain and transmission configuration,
under the following conditions:
• Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
• Refer to the Manual Park Release
procedure. See
Automatic
Transmission (page 201). Failing to
do so could result in damage to the
transmission.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is
50 mi (80 km).
Note: If you are unsure of the vehicle ’s
configuration, contact an authorized dealer.
Recreational Towing - Front-Wheel
Drive Vehicles
(If Equipped)
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. Place the front wheels on a
two-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a tow
dolly, follow the instructions specified by
the equipment provider. Recreational Towing - Rear-Wheel
Drive Vehicles
(If Equipped)
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. We recommend towing your vehicle
with all four wheels off the ground, such
as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow
your vehicle.
Recreational Towing - All-Wheel
and Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
(If
Equipped)
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. We recommend towing your vehicle
with all four wheels off the ground, such
as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow
your vehicle.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Towing

•
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
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Driving HintsE259345

Towing an all-wheel or four-wheel drive
vehicle requires that all wheels be off the
ground, such as using a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. This prevents
damage to the transmission, all-wheel or
four-wheel drive system and vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes inoperable without
access to wheel dollies, a car-hauling
trailer or a flatbed transport vehicle, you
can flat-tow with all wheels on the ground
under limited conditions. See Towing the
Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 294).
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Roadside Emergencies

Protected Component
Fuse Rating
Fuse or Relay
Number
Trailer brake control module.
30A
42
Body control module.
60A
43
Brake on and off switch.
10A
44
Battery charger control module (hybrid
electric vehicle).
15A
46
Heated backlite.
40A
50
Heated steering wheel.
20A
54
Trailer tow park lamps.
20A
55
Trailer tow battery charge.
30A
57
Trailer tow backup lamps.
10A
58
Multi-contour seat module.
15A
61
Headlamp washer pump.
15A
62
Four-wheel drive module.
40A
64
Front window wiper motor.
30A
69
Rear window wiper motor.
15A
71
Not used (spare).
20A
72
Driver door module.
30A
73
Left-hand heated windshield.
50A
78
Right-hand heated windshield.
50A
79
Trailer tow.
20A
80
Not used (spare).
20A
82
Rear blower motor.
20A
88
Trailer tow lighting module.
20A
91
Integrated spark control (hybrid electric
vehicle).
15A
95
Not used (spare).
15A
96
Electric AC (hybrid electric vehicle).
10A
97
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Fuses

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

Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in the
various driving conditions that are
encountered on streets, highways and
off-road. Utility vehicles and trucks are not
designed for cornering at speeds as high
as passenger cars any more than low-slung
sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions.
Study your owner's manual and any
supplements for specific information about
equipment features, instructions for safe
driving and additional precautions to
reduce the risk of an accident or serious
injury.
Four-Wheel Drive system (if
equipped)
WARNING: Do not become
overconfident in the ability of four-wheel
drive vehicles. Although a four-wheel
drive vehicle may accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction
situations, it won't stop any faster than
two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive
at a safe speed.
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel Drive
has the ability to use all four wheels to
power itself. This increases traction which
may enable you to safely drive over terrain
and road conditions that a conventional
two-wheel drive vehicle cannot. Power is
supplied to all four wheels through a
transfer case. Four-wheel drive vehicles
allow you to select different modes as
necessary. You can find more information
on transfer case operation, drive mode
selection, and transfer case maintenance
in this manual. See
Four-Wheel Drive
(page 207). You should become thoroughly
familiar with this information before you
operate your vehicle. We recommend installing the temporary
spare wheel and tire on the front axle when
possible. This could provide limited 4WD
traction.
Four-wheel drive: Never use a spare tire of
a different size than the one provided with
your vehicle. This could cause the
four-wheel drive system to default to
rear-wheel drive.
How your vehicle differs from
other vehicles
Sport utility vehicles and trucks can differ
from some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may be:
•
Higher - to allow higher load carrying
capacity and to allow it to travel over
rough terrain without getting hung up
or damaging underbody components.
• Shorter - to give it the capability to
approach inclines and drive over the
crest of a hill without getting hung up
or damaging underbody components.
All other things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs
than a vehicle with a longer wheelbase.
• Narrower - to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensional
differences, sport utility vehicles and trucks
often have a higher center of gravity and a
greater difference in center of gravity
between the loaded and unloaded
condition. These differences that make
your vehicle so versatile also make it
handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Wheels and Tires