2021 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

Gauges - Vehicles With: 6.5 Inch
Instrument Cluster Display
Screen............................................................103
Distance to Empty............................................. 104
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........104
Fuel Gauge............................................................ 103
Information Bar................................................... 103
Information Display........................................... 103
Low Fuel Reminder............................................ 104
Gearbox See: Transmission.............................................. 201
General Information on Radio Frequencies...................................................57
Intelligent Access.................................................. 57
General Maintenance Information.......482 Multi-Point Inspection.................................... 484
Owner Checks and Services......................... 483
Protecting Your Investment........................... 482
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?......................... 482
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?..................................................... 482
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada.........................................................308
Getting the Services You Need..............305 Away From Home............................................. 305
Global Opening
...............................................97
Remote Control Front Windows..................... 97
H
Hazard Flashers
...........................................299
Headlamp Adjusting See: Adjusting the Headlamps..................... 338
Headlamp Exit Delay....................................88
Headrest See: Head Restraints........................................ 146
Head Restraints
............................................146
Adjusting the Head Restraints....................... 147
Heated Exterior Mirrors..............................144
Heated Rear Window..................................144
Heated Seats.................................................158 Automatic Climate Controlled Seats..........159
Front Seats........................................................... 158
Second Row Heated Seats............................. 159
Heated Steering Wheel...............................83
Heated Windshield
......................................143
Windshield Wiper De-Icer............................... 143Heating
See: Climate Control......................................... 139
High Voltage Battery..................................200 General Information - Hybrid Electric
Vehicle (HEV)................................................ 200
Hill Descent Control....................................228
Hill Descent Control Indicator
.................229
Hill Start Assist...............................................217 Switching the System On and Off................217
Using Hill Start Assist........................................ 217
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate...........................................................141
Defogging the Side Windows in Cold Weather............................................................. 142
General Hints......................................................... 141
Quickly Cooling the Interior............................. 142
Quickly Heating the Interior............................ 142
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........142
Recommended Settings for Heating..........142
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes.............................................................215
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood...........322
Horn.....................................................................83
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go Work....................................246
How Does the Rear Occupant Alert System Work
...............................................160
Hybrid Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions.....................................................184
Hybrid Vehicle Operation..........................182 Battery.................................................................... 182
Braking.................................................................... 183
Driving..................................................................... 182
Driving to Optimize Fuel Economy..............183
Starting................................................................... 182
Stopping................................................................. 182
Transmission Operation................................... 182
I
Ignition Switch................................................172
In California (U.S. Only)............................306
Information Display Control
.......................83
Information Displays.....................................112
General Information - Vehicles With: 12.3
Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen................................................................. 114
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

General Information - Vehicles With: 4.2
Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen.................................................................. 117
General Information - Vehicles With: 6.5 Inch Instrument Cluster Display
Screen................................................................. 112
Information Messages.................................121
4WD........................................................................\
. 138
Active Park............................................................. 122
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................... 122
Adaptive Headlamps......................................... 122
AdvanceTrac ™ and Traction Control..........123
Alarm....................................................................... 123
Battery and Charging System (12 volt)..................................................................... 123
Battery and Charging System (High Voltage)............................................................. 124
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System.................................................... 124
Doors and Locks.................................................. 125
Driver Alert............................................................. 126
Fuel........................................................................\
.. 126
Hill Descent Control........................................... 127
Hill Start Assist.................................................... 128
Keys and Intelligent Access............................ 128
Lane Keeping System....................................... 129
Maintenance......................................................... 129
MyKey......................................................................130
Park Aid.................................................................... 131
Park Brake.............................................................. 132
Power Steering..................................................... 133
Pre-Collision Assist............................................ 133
Remote Start........................................................ 133
Seats........................................................................\
134
Starting System.................................................. 134
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.................. 135
Trailer....................................................................... 135
Transmission........................................................ 136
Installing Child Restraints
...........................25
Child Seats.............................................................. 25
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts......................... 25
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)........................................... 28
Using Tether Straps............................................. 29
Instrument Cluster
.......................................103
Instrument Lighting Dimmer.....................88
Instrument Panel
.............................................21
Interior Air Quality........................................145 Interior Lamps..................................................91
Front Interior Lamp.............................................. 91
Rear Interior Lamps.............................................. 91
Interior Mirror
.................................................100
Automatic Dimming Mirror............................. 100
Manual Dimming Mirror................................... 100
Introduction........................................................9
J
Jump Starting the Vehicle.......................300 Connecting the Jumper Cables................... 300
Jump Starting...................................................... 301
Locating the Jump Starting Connection Points................................................................ 300
Preparing Your Vehicle.................................... 300
Removing the Jumper Cables........................ 301
K
Keyless Entry
....................................................72
SECURICODE™ Keyless Entry Keypad........72
Keyless Starting
.............................................172
Ignition Modes...................................................... 173
Keys and Remote Controls.........................57
L
Lane Keeping System
................................260
Switching the System On and Off...............261
Liftgate...............................................................74
Lighting Control
..............................................87
Flashing High Beam Headlamps................... 88
Lighting Control Selections.............................. 87
Switching High Beam Headlamps On and Off........................................................................\
. 87
Lighting...............................................................87 General Information............................................ 87
Limited Slip Differential
.............................213
Load Carriers See: Roof Racks and Load Carriers..............281
Load Carrying...............................................280
Load Limit
.......................................................282
Special Loading Instructions for Owners of
Pick-up Trucks and Utility-type
Vehicles............................................................ 286
Vehicle Loading - with and without a Trailer................................................................. 282
567
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Locking and Unlocking................................69
Activating Intelligent Access............................ 70
Autolock.................................................................... 71
Battery Saver.......................................................... 72
Illuminated Entry.................................................... 71
Illuminated Exit...................................................... 72
Locking and Unlocking the Doors with the Key Blade........................................................... 69
Power Door Locks................................................ 69
Remote Control.................................................... 69
Smart Unlocks for Integrated Keyhead Remote Control................................................ 70
Smart Unlocks for Intelligent Access Keys........................................................................\
71
Luggage Covers.............................................281
Lug Nuts See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 374
M
Maintenance..................................................322 General Information.......................................... 322
Manual Seats.................................................148
Adjusting the Seat Backrest........................... 149
Moving the Seat Backward and Forward............................................................. 148
Memory Function
..........................................152
Easy Entry and Exit Feature............................ 153
Linking a PreSet Position to your Remote Control .............................................................. 153
Saving a PreSet Position.................................. 152
Message Center See: Information Displays................................. 112
Mirrors See: Windows and Mirrors............................... 96
Mobile Communications Equipment.......13
Mobile Device Data........................................18
Moonroof..........................................................101 Bounce-Back........................................................102
Opening and Closing the Moonroof.............101
Rear SunShade Opening and Closing........102
Motorcraft Parts - 2.3L EcoBoost™
................................................388
Motorcraft Parts - 3.0L.............................389
Motorcraft Parts - 3.3L..............................390
MyKey – Troubleshooting
...........................67
MyKey ™.............................................................64
Principle of Operation........................................ 64N
Navigation......................................................455
Changing the Format of the Map................457
cityseeker............................................................. 459
Michelin Travel Guide...................................... 460
Navigation Map Accuracy and Updates........................................................... 460
Route Guidance.................................................. 457
Setting a Destination....................................... 456
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.................. 460
Zoom...................................................................... 457
Normal Scheduled Maintenance
..........485
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor™........................ 485
Normal Maintenance Intervals.................... 486
O
Oil Change Indicator Reset.......................327
Oil Check See: Engine Oil Check...................................... 326
Opening and Closing the Hood..............322 Closing the Hood................................................ 323
Opening the Hood............................................. 322
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature......................................................310
Obtaining a French Owner ’s Manual..........310
Overhead Console.........................................171
Overriding Automatic High Beam Control............................................................95
Overriding Reverse Braking Assist..........221
Overriding the Set Speed..........................252
P
Parking Aids
...................................................230
Principle of Operation...................................... 230
Passive Anti-Theft System.........................78 Programming a Spare Intelligent Access
Key........................................................................\
. 78
SecuriLock®........................................................... 78
PATS See: Passive Anti-Theft System..................... 78
Pedestrian Alert System
.............................54
Pedestrian Protection..................................54
Perchlorate.........................................................11
Personalized Settings..................................119 Fuel Economy...................................................... 120
568
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Hybrid Information..............................................
121
Trip 1 and 2............................................................ 120
Personal Safety System ™..........................45
How Does the Personal Safety System
Work?.................................................................. 45
Phone...............................................................453 Android Auto....................................................... 455
Apple CarPlay..................................................... 455
Pairing Your Cell Phone for the First Time................................................................... 454
Text Messaging................................................... 454
Using Your Cell Phone..................................... 454
Post-Crash Alert System
..........................303
Power Door Locks See: Locking and Unlocking............................. 69
Power Liftgate
..................................................74
Hands-Free Feature............................................ 76
Obstacle Detection.............................................. 76
Opening and Closing the Liftgate................... 74
Setting the Liftgate Open Height................... 76
Stopping the Liftgate Movement................... 75
Switching the Power Liftgate On or Off........................................................................\
. 76
Power Seats...................................................149 Adjusting the Lumbar Support..................... 150
Adjusting the Multi-Contour Front Seats With Active Motion ........................................ 151
Power Steering Fluid Check.....................336
Power Windows
.............................................96
Accessory Delay.................................................... 97
Bounce-Back......................................................... 96
One-Touch Down................................................ 96
One-Touch Up...................................................... 96
Window Lock......................................................... 96
Pre-Collision Assist
.....................................273
Adjusting the Pre-Collision Assist
Settings............................................................. 276
Blocked Sensors................................................. 276
Distance Indication and Alert........................ 275
Evasive Steering Assist.................................... 276
Using the Pre-Collision Assist System............................................................... 274
Protecting the Environment
........................19
Puncture See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 374R
Radio Frequency Certification
Labels............................................................491
Blind Spot Information System Sensors.............................................................. 491
Body Control Module....................................... 494
Cruise Control Module..................................... 497
Garage Door Opener......................................... 501
Keys and Remote Controls............................. 501
Passive Anti-Theft System............................ 507
Radio Transceiver Module................................ 511
SYNC....................................................................... 515
Telematics Control Unit................................... 519
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensors............................................................. 520
Wireless Accessory Charging Module.............................................................. 526
Rear Axle
..........................................................213
Rear Occupant Alert System Audible Warnings........................................................161
Rear Occupant Alert System Indicators.......................................................161
Rear Occupant Alert System Limitations...................................................160
Rear Occupant Alert System Precautions.................................................160
Rear Occupant Alert System...................160
Rear Parking Aid...........................................230 Object Distance Indicator............................... 232
Rear Passenger Climate Controls
...........142
Directing Air to the Overhead Air
Vents................................................................... 143
Directing Air to the Rear Footwell Air Vents................................................................... 143
Rear Climate Control Lock Indicator...........143
Setting the Rear Blower Motor Speed................................................................. 143
Setting the Rear Temperature....................... 143
Switching the Rear Climate Control On and Off........................................................................\
143
Switching the Rear Heated Seats On and Off........................................................................\
143
Rear Seats
.......................................................153
Adjusting the Second Row Rear
Seats................................................................... 153
Adjusting the Third Row Power Seats.........157
569
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Rear Under Floor Storage........................280
Adjustable Load Floor..................................... 280
Spare Tire Cover................................................ 280
Rear View Camera.......................................238 Camera Guidelines........................................... 240
Manual Zoom....................................................... 241
Obstacle Distance Indicator.......................... 240
Rear Camera Delay............................................ 241
Using the Rear View Camera System........239
Rear View Camera See: Rear View Camera................................... 238
Rear Window Wiper and Washers..........86 Rear Camera Washer......................................... 86
Rear Window Washer......................................... 86
Rear Window Wiper............................................ 86
Rear Wiper Blades See: Changing the Rear Wiper Blades........341
Recommended Towing Weights...........289
Reduced Engine Performance................295
Refueling - Excluding: Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
.............................................189
Refueling System Overview........................... 189
Refueling System Warning.............................. 191
Refueling Your Vehicle..................................... 190
Refueling - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV).............................................................192
Fuel Filler Door Manual Override Lever................................................................... 194
System Warnings................................................ 193
Remote Control
...............................................57
Car Finder................................................................ 62
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter..................... 57
Intelligent Access Key........................................ 58
Memory Feature.................................................... 61
Remote Start......................................................... 62
Replacing the Battery......................................... 59
Sounding the Panic Alarm................................ 62
Remote Start.................................................144 Automatic Settings............................................ 144
Heated and Cooled Features......................... 144
Last Settings........................................................ 144
Repairing Minor Paint Damage..............348
Replacement Parts Recommendation........................................12
Collision Repairs.................................................... 12
Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs.................................................................. 12
Warranty on Replacement Parts..................... 12Replacing a Lost Key or Remote
Control............................................................63
Replacing the Cabin Air Filter...................145
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)...............................................................310
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)...............................................................310
Resuming the Set Speed..........................245 Resuming the Set Speed from a Complete
Stop.................................................................... 252
Reverse Braking Assist Indicators
...........221
Reverse Braking Assist Precautions.................................................220
Reverse Braking Assist
..............................220
Reverse Braking Assist –
Troubleshooting............................................. 222
Reverse Braking Assist – Troubleshooting
........................................222
Reverse Braking Assist – Frequently Asked
Questions......................................................... 223
Reverse Braking Assist – Information Messages.......................................................... 222
Roadside Assistance
..................................298
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Getting Roadside
Assistance....................................................... 299
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Getting Roadside Assistance................................... 298
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Using Roadside Assistance................................... 298
Roadside Emergencies.............................298
Roof Racks and Load Carriers.................281 Adjusting the Crossbar.................................... 282
Maximum Recommended Load Amounts.......................................................... 282
Running-In See: Breaking-In................................................. 296
Running Out of Fuel
.....................................187
Adding Fuel From a Portable Fuel
Container.......................................................... 188
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.................. 188
S
Safety Canopy ™
..............................................51
Safety Precautions......................................185
Satellite Radio
..............................................429
Satellite Radio Electronic Serial Number
(ESN)................................................................ 430
570
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Satellite Radio Reception Factors..............430
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Service.................430
Troubleshooting..................................................
431
Scheduled Maintenance..........................482
Seatbelt Extensions......................................44
Seatbelt Height Adjustment.......................41
Seatbelt Reminder.........................................42 Seatbelt Status..................................................... 42
Seatbelts...........................................................38 Principle of Operation........................................ 38
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime...............................................................41
Conditions of operation...................................... 41
Seats.................................................................146
Security..............................................................78
Selecting a Drive Mode..............................278
Service Data
......................................................16
Settings Data.....................................................17 Comfort and Convenience Data...................... 17
Entertainment Data.............................................. 17
Settings...........................................................464 911 Assist.............................................................. 464
Ambient Lighting............................................... 465
Audio...................................................................... 464
Automatic Updates.......................................... 464
Bluetooth............................................................. 464
Charge Settings................................................. 465
Clock...................................................................... 464
Display................................................................... 465
Driver Assist......................................................... 464
FordPass............................................................... 464
General.................................................................. 464
Message Center................................................. 465
Mobile Apps........................................................ 464
Multi Contour Seats.......................................... 465
Navigation............................................................ 465
Personal Profiles................................................ 465
Phone.................................................................... 464
Seats...................................................................... 465
Sound.................................................................... 464
Valet Mode........................................................... 465
Vehicle................................................................... 464
Voice Control....................................................... 465
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Gap..................................................................251
Following a Vehicle........................................... 252Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control
Speed............................................................250
Manually Changing the Set Speed..............251
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Speed from a Complete Stop................................................ 251
Setting the Cruise Control Speed..........244 Changing the Set Speed................................. 244
Setting the Hill Descent Speed
..............228
Side Airbags.....................................................50
Side Sensing System..................................234 Object Distance Indicator............................... 235
Sitting in the Correct Position..................146
Snow Chains See: Using Snow Chains................................. 366
Spare Wheel See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 374
Special Notices................................................12 New Vehicle Limited Warranty......................... 12
Notice to Owners of Pickup Trucks and Utility Type Vehicles........................................ 13
On Board Diagnostics Data Link Connector............................................................ 13
Special Instructions.............................................. 12
Using Your Vehicle as an Ambulance............13
Using Your Vehicle With a Snowplow............13
Special Operating Conditions Scheduled Maintenance
..............................................488
Exceptions........................................................... 489
Speed Control See: Cruise Control........................................... 244
Speed Sign Recognition.............................271 Principle of Operation....................................... 271
Using Speed Sign Recognition...................... 272
Stability Control
...........................................225
Principle of Operation...................................... 225
Starter Switch See: Ignition Switch............................................ 172
Starting a Gasoline Engine........................173 Automatic Engine Shutdown......................... 174
Failure to Start...................................................... 174
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes................176
Important Ventilating Information...............176
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving................................................................ 175
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary.......................................................... 175
Vehicles with an Ignition Key.......................... 173
Vehicles with Keyless Start............................. 173
571
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Starting a Hybrid Electric Vehicle
System...........................................................176
Automatic Engine Shutdown.......................... 177
Fast Restart........................................................... 176
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes................178
Important Ventilating Information...............178
Switching Off Your Vehicle When It Is Moving................................................................ 177
Switching Off Your Vehicle When It Is Stationary.......................................................... 177
Starting and Stopping the Engine..........172 General Information........................................... 172
Steering............................................................273 Adaptive Learning.............................................. 273
Electric Power Steering.................................... 273
Steering Wheel...............................................80
Storage Compartments..............................171
Sunroof See: Moonroof...................................................... 101
Sun Visors
.......................................................100
Illuminated Vanity Mirror.................................. 101
Supplementary Restraints System.........46 Principle of Operation........................................ 46
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On and Off.........................................................250
Automatic Cancellation or Deactivation................................................... 250
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control Off...................................................................... 250
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On....................................................................... 250
Switching Automatic High Beam Control On and Off.....................................................94
Activating the Automatic High Beam Control................................................................ 94
Switching Cruise Control On and Off..................................................................244
Switching Cruise Control Off......................... 244
Switching Cruise Control On......................... 244
Switching From Adaptive Cruise Control to Cruise Control.......................................253
Switching Hill Descent Control On and Off
...................................................................228
Switching Intelligent Mode On and Off...................................................................255
Changing the Set Speed with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control............................. 255Switching Lane Centering On and
Off
..................................................................254
Activating Lane Centering.............................. 254
System Alerts and Automatic Cancellation.................................................... 254
Switching Rear Occupant Alert System On and Off
...................................................160
Semiannual Reminder..................................... 160
Switching Reverse Braking Assist On and Off
....................................................................221
Symbols Glossary.............................................9
SYNC™ 3........................................................433
General Information......................................... 433
SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting.....................466 Additional Information and
Assistance....................................................... 478
Apps........................................................................\
473
Navigation............................................................. 472
Personal Profiles................................................ 476
Phone..................................................................... 470
Resetting the System....................................... 478
USB and Bluetooth Audio.............................. 467
Voice Recognition............................................. 466
Wi-Fi Connectivity............................................. 475
T
Technical Specifications See: Capacities and Specifications............382
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only).......................307
Tire Care
..........................................................353
Glossary of Tire Terminology........................ 354
Information About Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................................................. 353
Information Contained on the Tire Sidewall ............................................................ 355
Temperature A B C............................................ 354
Traction AA A B C............................................... 353
Treadwear............................................................. 353
Tire Pressure Monitoring System..........368 Changing Tires With a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System....................................... 369
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................... 370
Tires See: Wheels and Tires...................................... 351
572
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Towing a Trailer............................................288
Load Placement................................................ 288
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels..........................................................294
Emergency Towing............................................ 294
Recreational Towing - All-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles........................ 294
Recreational Towing - Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles............................................................ 294
Recreational Towing - Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicles............................................................ 294
Towing.............................................................288
Traction Control............................................224 Principle of Operation...................................... 224
Trailer Sway Control...................................289
Transmission Specifications - ST.........386
Transmission..................................................201
Transporting the Vehicle
..........................303
U
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................323
Under Hood Overview - 3.0L...................324
Under Hood Overview - 3.3L...................325
Unique Driving Characteristics...............180
Universal Garage Door Opener...............162 HomeLink Wireless Control System............162
USB Port
.........................................................432
Locating the USB Ports................................... 432
Using Four-Wheel Drive............................207 Driving in Special Conditions With
Four-Wheel drive (4WD).......................... 209
How Your Vehicle Differs from Other Vehicles............................................................ 208
Operating Four-Wheel drive (4WD) Vehicles with Mismatched Tires.............208
Operating Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Vehicles With Spare Tires.......................... 207
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems...........................................................67
Using Snow Chains.....................................366
Using Stability Control...............................226 Electronic Stability Control - Base
Model................................................................ 226
Electronic Stability Control - ST Model ........................................................................\
..... 226
Using Summer Tires...................................366 Using Traction Control...............................224
Switching the System Off............................... 224
System Indicator Lights and Messages......................................................... 224
Using a Switch.................................................... 224
Using Voice Recognition...........................435 Apps....................................................................... 440
Automatic Blower Motor Speed Reduction......................................................... 441
Climate................................................................... 437
Entertainment.................................................... 436
General.................................................................. 435
Navigation............................................................ 439
Phone
..................................................................... 438
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.................. 440
Voice Settings...................................................... 441
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)........................308
V
Vehicle Care
...................................................343
General Information......................................... 343
Vehicle Identification Number.................391
Vehicle Storage............................................348 Body....................................................................... 349
Brakes.................................................................... 349
Cooling system................................................... 349
Disconnecting Your 12 Volt Battery.............349
Engine.................................................................... 349
Fuel system......................................................... 349
General.................................................................. 348
Miscellaneous..................................................... 350
Plugging in Your HYBRID................................ 349
Removing Vehicle From Storage.................350
Tires........................................................................\
350
Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot................................425
Ventilated Seats
...........................................159
Automatic Climate Controlled Seats..........159
Ventilation See: Climate Control......................................... 139
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number.............391
Voice Control
...................................................82
573
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index