2021 FORD EXPLORER key

Potential Causes
Condition
Program a spare key or transmitter. You may
need to see an authorized dealer. See Passive
Anti-Theft System (page 78).
I lost a key.
The MyKey user is not using the MyKey.
The MyKey distance does not accumu-
late. An admin key holder cleared the MyKeys and
created new MyKeys.
The key system has been reset.
An admin transmitter is present at vehicle start.
No MyKey functions with the trans-
mitter. There are no MyKeys programmed to your
vehicle. See
Creating a MyKey (page 65).
68
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing MyKey
™

LOCKING AND UNLOCKING
You can use the power door lock control
or the remote control to lock and unlock
your vehicle.
Note:
Do not use the door latch assembly
to attach any accessory, such as handles or
steps, as this can cause damage to your
vehicle.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock control is on the driver
and front passenger door panels. Unlock.
A
Lock.
B
Remote Control
You can use the remote control at any
time.
Unlocking the Doors Press the button to unlock the
driver door.
Press the button again within
three seconds to unlock all doors. The
direction indicators flash.
Press and hold both the lock and unlock
buttons on the remote control for three
seconds to change between driver door or
all doors unlock mode. The direction
indicators will flash twice to indicate a
change to the unlocking mode. Driver door mode only unlocks the driver door when
you press the unlock button once. All door
mode unlocks all doors when you press
the unlock button once. The unlocking
mode applies to the remote control,
keyless entry keypad and intelligent
access.
Locking the Doors
Press the button to lock all
doors. The direction indicators
will flash.
Press the button again within three
seconds to confirm that all the doors
close. The doors lock again, the horn
sounds and the direction indicators flash
if all the doors and the liftgate close.
Note: If any door or the liftgate is open, or
if the hood is open on vehicles with an
anti-theft alarm or remote start, the horn
sounds twice and the direction indicators
do not flash.
Locking and Unlocking the Doors
with the Key Blade
Locking with the Key
Turn the top of the key toward the front of
your vehicle.
Unlocking with the Key
Turn the top of the key toward the rear of
your vehicle.
Note: If the child safety locks are on and
you pull the interior handle, you only turn off
the emergency locking, not the child safety
lock. You can only open the doors using the
external door handle.
69
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Doors and LocksE138628 E138629 E138623

Activating Intelligent Access (If
Equipped)
You can unlock and lock the vehicle
without taking the keys out of your pocket
or purse when your intelligent access key
is within
3 ft (1 m) of your vehicle.
Intelligent access uses a sensor on the
back of the door handle for unlocking and
a separate sensor on the face of each door
handle for locking.
The system does not function if:
• Your vehicle battery has no charge.
• The key battery has no charge.
• The key frequencies are jammed.
Note: The system may not function if the
key is close to metal objects or electronic
devices, for example keys or a cell phone.
Note: If the system does not function, use
the key blade to lock and unlock your
vehicle. See
Remote Control (page 57).
Unlocking Using Intelligent Access With your intelligent access key within
3 ft
(1 m) of your vehicle, touch the unlock
sensor on the back of the door handle for
a brief period and then pull on the door
handle to unlock, being careful to not
touch the lock sensor at the same time or
pulling the door handle too quickly. The
intelligent access system requires a brief
delay to authenticate your intelligent
access key fob. Locking Using Intelligent Access With your intelligent access key within
3 ft
(1 m) of your vehicle, touch the outer door
handle lock sensor for approximately one
second to lock, being careful to not touch
the unlock sensor on the back of the door
handle at the same time. After locking, you
can immediately pull on the door handle
to confirm locking occurred without
inadvertently unlocking.
Opening the Liftgate
Press the exterior liftgate release button
on the top of the liftgate pull-cup handle.
See
Power Liftgate (page 74).
Smart Unlocks for Integrated
Keyhead Remote Control
(If Equipped)
This helps to prevent you from locking
yourself out of your vehicle if the key is still
in the ignition.
When you open one of the front doors and
lock your vehicle with the power door lock
control, all the doors lock then unlock and
the horn sounds twice if the key is still in
the ignition.
You can still lock your vehicle with the key
in the ignition by either:
• Using the keyless entry keypad with the
driver door closed.
• Pressing the lock button on the remote
control even if you have not closed the
doors.
If both front doors close, you can lock your
vehicle by any method, regardless of
whether the key is in the ignition or not.
70
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Doors and LocksE297236 E297235

Smart Unlocks for Intelligent
Access Keys (If Equipped)
This helps to prevent you from locking your
key inside the passenger compartment or
rear cargo area.
When you electronically lock your vehicle
with any door open, the transmission in
park (P) and the ignition off, the system
searches for an intelligent access key in
the passenger compartment after you
close the last door.
If the system finds a key, all the doors
immediately unlock and the horn sounds
twice, indicating that a key is inside.
You can override the smart unlock feature
and intentionally lock the intelligent access
key inside your vehicle.
To override smart unlock, lock your vehicle
after you have closed all doors by
• Using the keyless entry keypad.
• Pressing the lock button on another
intelligent access key.
• Touching the locking area on the front
of the door handle with another
intelligent access key in your hand.
When you open one of the front doors and
lock your vehicle using the power door lock
control, all doors lock then unlock if
• The ignition is on.
• The ignition is off and the transmission
is not in park (P).
Autolock
(If Equipped)
Autolock locks all the doors when
• All doors close.
• The ignition is on.
• You shift into any gear putting your
vehicle in motion.
• Your vehicle reaches a speed greater
than
12 mph (20 km/h) Autolock repeats when
•
You open then close any door while the
ignition is on and your vehicle speed is
9 mph (15 km/h)
or lower.
• Your vehicle reaches a speed greater
than
12 mph (20 km/h).
Autounlock
Autounlock unlocks all the doors when
• You stop your vehicle, place the gear
selector in park, and switch the ignition
off or to accessory position.
• You open the driver door within 10
minutes of switching the ignition off or
to accessory position.
Note: The doors do not autounlock if you
electronically lock your vehicle after you
switch the ignition off and before you open
the driver door.
Enabling or Disabling Autounlock
You can enable or disable the autounlock
feature in the information display or an
authorized dealer can do it for you. See
General Information
(page 117).
Illuminated Entry
The interior lamps and some exterior
lamps illuminate when you unlock the
doors with the remote control.
The lamps turn off if:
• The ignition is on.
• You press the remote control lock
button.
• 25 seconds have elapsed.
The lamps do not turn off if:
• You switch them on with the lighting
control.
• Any door is open.
71
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Doors and Locks

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

To program additional personal entry
codes, repeat steps 1 through 3, then for
step 4:
•
Press 3·4 to save personal code 2.
• Press
5·6 to save personal code 3.
• Press
7·8 to save personal code 4.
• Press
9·0 to save personal code 5.
Hints:
• Do not set a code that uses five of the
same number.
• Do not use five numbers in sequential
order.
• The factory-set code works even if you
have set your own personal code.
Erasing a Personal Code
1. Enter the factory-set five-digit code.
2. Press and release
1·2 on the keypad
within five seconds.
3. Press and hold
1·2 for two seconds.
You must do this within five seconds
of completing step 2.
All personal codes erase and only the
factory-set five-digit code works.
Anti-Scan Feature
The keypad goes into an anti-scan mode
if you enter the wrong code seven times.
This mode turns off the keypad for one
minute and the keypad lamp flashes.
The anti-scan feature turns off after any
of the following occur:
• One minute of keypad inactivity.
• You press the unlock button on the
remote control.
• You switch your vehicle on.
• You unlock the vehicle using intelligent
access. Locking and Unlocking the Doors
Locking All Doors
Press and hold 7·8 and 9·0 on the keypad
simultaneously with the driver door closed.
You do not need to enter a code first.
Unlocking All Doors
Enter the factory-set code or your personal
code, then press 3·4 on the keypad within
five seconds.
Unlocking Only the Driver Door
Enter the factory-set or your personal
five-digit code. You must press each
number within five seconds of each other.
The interior lamps illuminate.
Note:
All doors unlock if the two-stage
unlocking feature is turned off. See Locking
and Unlocking
(page 69).
73
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Doors and Locks

POWER LIFTGATE
WARNING: It is extremely
dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside
or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow
people to ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats and
seatbelts. Make sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and properly using a
seatbelt. Failure to follow this warning
could result in serious personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Make sure that you fully
close the liftgate to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle. If you
are unable to fully close the liftgate,
open the air vents or the windows to
allow fresh air to enter your vehicle.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in personal injury or death. WARNING: Keep keys out of reach
of children. Do not allow children to
operate or play near an open or moving
power liftgate. You should supervise the
operation of the power liftgate at all
times.
Note: Make sure that you close the liftgate
before operating or moving your vehicle,
especially in an enclosure, like a garage or
a parking structure. This could damage the
liftgate and its components.
Note: Do not hang anything, for example
a bike rack, from the glass or liftgate. This
could damage the liftgate and its
components.
Note: Make sure that you fully close the
liftgate to prevent cargo from falling out.
The liftgate only operates with the
transmission in park (P). If there is a problem with the open or close
request, a tone sounds for one of the
following reasons:
•
The ignition is on and the transmission
is not in park (P).
• The battery voltage is below the
minimum operating voltage.
• The liftgate is not fully closed and your
vehicle speed is at or above
3 mph
(5 km/h).
If the liftgate starts to close after it has
fully opened, this indicates there may be
excessive weight on the liftgate or a
possible strut failure. A repetitive tone
sounds and the liftgate closes under
control. If the liftgate continues to close
after opening, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer. Remove any
excessive weight from the liftgate.
Opening and Closing the Liftgate WARNING:
Make sure all persons
are clear of the power liftgate area
before using the power liftgate control.
Note: Make sure the area behind your
vehicle is free from obstruction and that
there is enough room for you to operate the
liftgate. Objects too close to your vehicle,
for example a wall, garage door or another
vehicle may come into contact with the
moving liftgate. This could damage the
liftgate and its components.
Note: Be careful when opening or closing
the liftgate in a garage or other enclosed
area to avoid damaging the liftgate.
Note: Do not leave the liftgate open when
you are driving. This could damage the
liftgate and its components.
74
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Liftgate

Opening from the Instrument Panel
With the transmission in park
(P), press the button on the
instrument panel.
Opening with the Remote Control Press the button twice within
three seconds.
Opening with the Outside Control
Button
1. Unlock the liftgate with the remote control or power door unlock control.
If a passive key is within 3 ft (1 m) of
the liftgate, the liftgate unlocks when
you press the liftgate release button. 2.
Press the control button to the right of
the rear view camera. Note:
Allow the power system to open the
liftgate. Manually pushing or pulling the
liftgate may activate the system ’s obstacle
detection feature and stop the power
operation or reverse its direction, replicate
a strut failure, or damage mechanical
components.
Closing the Liftgate WARNING:
Keep clear of the
liftgate when using the rear switch. Press and release the liftgate button.
Stopping the Liftgate Movement
Note:
Do not apply sudden excessive force
to the liftgate while it is in motion. This
could damage the power liftgate and its
components.
You can stop the liftgate movement by
doing any of the following:
• Pressing the liftgate control button.
• Pressing the liftgate button on the
remote control twice.
• Pressing the liftgate button on the
instrument panel.
• Moving your foot under and away from
the center rear bumper in a single-kick
motion.*
75
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing LiftgateE138633 E267940 E291352 E291351