2021 FORD EXPLORER ignition

GENERAL INFORMATION -
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
(HEV)
WARNING: This battery pack
should only be serviced by an authorized
electric vehicle technician. Improper
handling can result in personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Apply the parking
brake, shift into park (P), switch the
ignition off and remove the key before
you open the hood or have any service
or repair work completed. If you do not
switch the ignition off, the engine could
restart at any time. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. WARNING:
Do not touch the
electronic ignition system parts after you
have switched the ignition on or when
the engine is running. The system
operates at high voltage. Failure to
adhere to this warning could result in
serious personal injury or death. WARNING:
Keep your hands and
clothing clear of the engine cooling fan.
Your vehicle consists of various
high-voltage components and wiring. All
of the high-voltage power flows through
specific wiring assemblies labeled as such
or covered with a solid orange convolute,
or orange striped tape, or both. Do not
come in contact with these components. The high-voltage battery system is a
high-voltage, lithium-ion battery system.
The pack is located underneath the vehicle.
The high voltage battery system uses an
advanced active liquid heating and cooling
system to regulate high voltage battery
temperature and help maximize the life of
the high voltage battery.
Note:
The high-voltage battery does not
require regular service maintenance.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing High Voltage Battery
(If Equipped)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift
into park (P). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. WARNING:
Do not apply the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal
simultaneously. Applying both pedals
simultaneously for more than a few
seconds will limit engine performance,
which may result in difficulty maintaining
speed in traffic and could lead to serious
injury.
Note: You may not be able to shift out of
park (P) unless the intelligent access key is
inside your vehicle.
Understanding Your Transmission
Selector Positions
Your vehicle has an electronic transmission
shifter. The transmission selector is on the
center console. Park.
P
Reverse.
R
Neutral.
N
Drive.
D
Manual.
M
LowL
The instrument cluster displays the current
gear.
Note: Your vehicle could come with low (L)
or manual (M) in the center of the selector
depending on trim level.
Park (P)
With the transmission in park (P), your
vehicle locks the transmission and
prevents the wheels from turning. Always
come to a complete stop before putting
your vehicle into and out of park (P).
When you switch the ignition off, your
vehicle shifts into park (P). If you switch
the ignition off while your vehicle is moving,
the transmission first shifts into neutral (N)
until it reaches a speed less than
3 mph
(5 km/h) and then shifts into park (P).
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing TransmissionE227917

The electric parking brake may apply when
you shift to park (P) without the brake
pedal fully pressed. The electric parking
brake applies when you shift to park (P)
on large slopes. The electric parking brake
releases with the drive away release
function or manually as described in the
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake
section. See Electric Parking Brake
(page 215).
Note: A warning tone sounds if you open
the driver door and you have not shifted the
transmission selector to park (P).
Reverse (R)
With the transmission selector in reverse
(R), your vehicle moves backward. Always
come to a complete stop before shifting
into and out of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the transmission selector in neutral
(N), you can start your vehicle and it is free
to roll. Hold the brake pedal down when in
this position.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for
the best fuel economy and smoothness.
Shift the transmission selector to drive (D)
to allow your vehicle to move forward and
shift automatically through the forward
gears.
The transmission shifts to the appropriate
gear for optimum performance based on
ambient temperature, road slope, vehicle
load and your input. Manual Mode (M) - Vehicles with
Paddle Shifters
With the transmission selector in manual
(M), the driver can change gears up or
down. After selecting the Manual (M)
button while the transmission range
selector is in Drive (D) position you now
have control of selecting the gear you
desire using shift buttons on the steering
wheel. See Understanding your SelectShift
Automatic
™ transmission later in this
section.
To exit manual mode, push the manual
(M) button on your transmission selector.
Low (L) - Vehicles without Paddle
Shifters
With the transmission selector in low (L),
your vehicle provides maximum engine
braking. You can shift the transmission into
low (L) at any vehicle speed. The intent is
not for use under extended or normal
driving conditions, and results in lower fuel
economy.
Automatic Return to Park
Note: This feature does not operate when
your vehicle is in Stay in Neutral mode or
neutral tow.
The transmission returns to park (P) if any
of the following occur:
• You switch the ignition off.
• Your seatbelt is not fastened, and you
open the driver door.
• The driver door is open, and you
unfasten your seatbelt.
If you switch the ignition off when your
vehicle is moving, your vehicle shifts into
neutral (N) until it slows down enough to
shift into park (P).
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Transmission

WARNING: If the parking brake is
fully released, but the brake warning
lamp remains illuminated, the brakes
may not be working properly. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. WARNING:
Do not drive your
vehicle until you verify that the
stoplamps are working.
Use the manual park release to move your
transmission from the park (P) position in
the event of an electrical malfunction or
emergency.
Activating the Manual Park Release
Cable 1.
Apply the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake
(page 215).
Note: If the vehicle battery is dead, for
example, no electrical power is available,
you require an external power to apply the
parking brake.
2. Using the key or a flat head screwdriver,
maximum length
5 in (120 mm), as
shown in the picture, carefully open the
access cover under the arm rest
console.
See Keys and Remote
Controls (page 57). 3. Turn the vehicle ignition on without
starting the vehicle by pressing the
ignition push to start without pressing
the brake.
4. Once in the driver seat, fully apply the brake pedal and hold. Do not release. Note:
A:
2.0 in (50 mm) B: 0.1 in (3.3 mm)
5. Insert a screwdriver type tool, see description, or your car key into the
Manual Park Release (MPR) lever slot.
Pull the manual park release lever
toward the rear until the detent in the
slot pops up, against the tool or key.
Allow full upward travel of detent,
approximately
0.28 in (7 mm) in the
park override mode (Click). You can
remove the tool. If done correctly, a
message on the instrument cluster
displays Park Not Available,
Transmission Not in Park, or Shift
System Fault.
6. With your foot still fully applied on the
brake pedal, disengage the parking
brake.
See Electric Parking Brake
(page 215).
7. Your vehicle remains in neutral (N) for emergency towing purposes.
8. Switch off the ignition.
9. Once safe, and there is no risk of your vehicle rolling, disconnect the negative
(black) battery cable from the battery.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing TransmissionE292050 E317360

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It has
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the front wheels before
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not
present, the system is continuously
adjusting to the torque distribution, in an
attempt to improve straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on every
time you switch the ignition on.
If any component requires maintenance,
a message appears in the information
display.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
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.
The intelligent 4WD system continuously
monitors vehicle conditions and adjusts
the power distribution between the front
and rear wheels. It combines transparent
all-surface operation with highly capable
four-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active and
requires no driver input. It is capable of
handling all road conditions including
street and highway driving as well as
off-road and winter driving. You can
optimize more 4WD control by selecting
different drive modes. See
Selecting a
Drive Mode (page 278). Note:
A warning message displays in the
information display when a 4WD system
fault is present. See
Information
Messages (page 121). A 4WD system fault
causes the 4WD system to default to
rear-wheel drive only mode. When this
warning message is displayed, have your
vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
Note: A warning message displays in the
information display if the 4WD system
overheats. See
Information Messages
(page 121). This condition could occur if the
vehicle is operated in extreme conditions
with excessive wheel slip, such as deep
sand. To resume normal 4WD function as
soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and stop the engine for at least 10
minutes. After the engine is restarted and
the 4WD system is adequately cooled, the
warning message turns off and normal 4WD
function returns.
Operating Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Vehicles With Spare Tires
Do not use a different size spare tire other
than the tire provided. If the mini-spare tire
is installed, the 4WD system will disable
and enter rear-wheel drive only mode to
protect driveline components. Some
limited 4WD traction could be provided if
the mini-spare is installed on one of the
front wheels. If you are in driving conditions
where limited 4WD traction is needed
while the mini-spare is installed, it is
recommended the mini-spare be installed
on the front axle.
See Information
Messages (page 121).
If the mini-spare is installed, this condition
is indicated by a warning in the information
display. If there is a warning message in
the information display from using the
spare tire, this indicator should turn off
after reinstalling or replacing the normal
road tire and cycling the ignition off and
on. We recommended reinstalling or
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

Driving in Special Conditions With
Four-Wheel drive (4WD)
Note:
Use of the 4WD system in slippery,
deep snow, and sand drive modes on dry
surfaces could produce some vibration,
driveline bind up, or excessive tire wear as
these drive modes are intended for slippery
and loose surfaces.
Note: The design of 4WD vehicles are for
driving on sand, snow, mud and rough roads
and have operating characteristics that are
somewhat different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the highway.
Basic Operating Principles in Special
Conditions
• Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving on
pavement made slippery by loose sand,
water, gravel, snow or ice. If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the
Pavement
•
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the
pavement, slow down, but avoid severe
brake application, ease the vehicle
back onto the pavement only after
reducing your speed. Do not turn the
steering wheel too sharply while
returning to the road surface.
• It could be safer to stay on the apron
or shoulder of the road and slow down
gradually before returning to the
pavement. You could lose control if you
do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often could be less risky to strike
small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your
vehicle rather than attempt a sudden
return to the pavement which could
cause the vehicle to slide sideways out
of control or rollover. Remember, your
safety and the safety of others should
be your primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNING: Apply the parking
brake, shift into park (P), switch the
ignition off and remove the key before
you leave your vehicle. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury or death. WARNING:
If the parking brake is
fully released, but the brake warning
lamp remains illuminated, the brakes
may not be working properly. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. WARNING:
Do not spin the wheels
at over 34 mph (55 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
you can rock it out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle comes with AdvanceTrac®
with Roll Stability Control
™, it could be
beneficial to disengage the AdvanceTrac®
with Roll Stability Control ™ system while
attempting to rock the vehicle.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission could occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes or damage to the
transmission and tires could occur or the
engine could overheat.
Emergency Maneuvers
• In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be
made, remember to avoid
"over-driving" your vehicle (for
example, turn the steering wheel only
as rapidly and as far as required to
avoid the emergency). Excessive
steering can result in less vehicle
control, not more. Additionally, smooth
variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized
if changes in vehicle speed are called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration
or braking which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Use all available road surface to return
the vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
• In the event of an emergency stop,
avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel
movements.
• If the vehicle goes from one type of
surface to another (i.e., from concrete
to gravel) there is a change in the way
the vehicle responds to a maneuver
(steering, acceleration or braking).
Again, avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily through
the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle
momentum can work against you and
cause the vehicle to become stuck to the
point that assistance could be required
from another vehicle. Remember, you
could be able to back out the way you
came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability could
be limited.
Note: Driving through deep water could
damage your vehicle.
When driving through water, determine the
depth; avoid water higher than the bottom
of the hubs (if possible) and proceed
slowly. If the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle could stall.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

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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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Brakes E270480