2021 FORD EXPLORER maintenance

Other Maintenance Items
1
Change the automatic transmission fluid.
Every 150,000 mi
(240,000 km) Replace the accessory drive belt or belts. 4
1 Perform these maintenance items within
3,000 mi (4,800 km) of the last engine oil
and filter change. Do not exceed the designated distance for the interval.
2 Initial replacement at 10 years or
200,000 mi (322,000 km), then every 5 years or
100,000 mi (160,000 km).
3 After initial inspection, inspect every other oil change until replaced.
4 If not replaced within the last
100,000 mi (160,000 km).
SPECIAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in any
of the following conditions, you need to
perform extra maintenance as indicated.
If you operate your vehicle occasionally
under any of these conditions, it is not
necessary to perform the extra
maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership
service advisor or technician. Perform the services shown in the
following tables when specified or within
3,000 mi (4,800 km)
of the message
appearing in the information display
prompting you to change your oil.
• Example 1: The message comes on at
28,750 mi (46,270 km)
. Perform the
30,000 mi (48,000 km) automatic
transmission fluid replacement.
• Example 2: The message has not come
on, but the odometer reads 30,000 mi
(48,000 km)
(for example, the
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor was reset
at
25,000 mi (40,000 km). Perform
the engine air filter replacement. Towing a Trailer or Using a Car-top Carrier
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information
display and perform services listed in the Normal Sched-
uled Maintenance chart.
As required
Inspect front axle.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Inspect rear axle and U-joints.
Inspect half-shaft boots.
See axle maintenance items under Exceptions.
Replace spark plugs.
Every
60,000 mi
(96,000 km)
488
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

Extensive Idling or Low-speed Driving for Long Distances, as in Heavy Commercial Use
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information
display and perform services listed in the Normal Sched-
uled Maintenance chart.
As required
Replace cabin air filter.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Replace engine air filter.
Replace spark plugs.
Every 60,000 mi
(96,000 km) Operating in Dusty or Sandy Conditions - Such as Unpaved or Dusty Roads
Replace cabin air filter.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Replace engine air filter.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag.
Every
5,000 mi (8,000 km)
Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and measure tread
depth.
Change engine oil and filter. 1
Every
5,000 mi (8,000 km)
or six months
Perform multi-point inspection.
1 Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine oil and filter changes. See Oil Change
Indicator Reset
(page 327). Exclusive use of E85 - Flex Fuel Vehicles Only
If ran exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full with regular
unleaded fuel.
Every oil change
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the Normal
Schedule: Axle and Transfer Case Maintenance
The transfer case, front and rear axles in
your vehicle do not require normal
scheduled maintenance. Your vehicle is
electronically monitored and notifies you
of required service by displaying a message
in the information display. The transfer
case, front and rear axles are more likely
489
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

to require a fluid change if the vehicle has
experienced extended periods of extreme
or severe duty cycle driving. Changing or
checking the transfer case, front and/or
rear axle lubricant is not necessary unless
the unit has been submerged in water,
shows signs of leakage, a message
indicating required service displays.
Contact your authorized dealer for service.
California Fuel Filter Replacement
If you register your vehicle in California, the
California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item does not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
before the completion of your vehicle's
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however,
urges you to have all recommended
maintenance services performed at the
specified intervals and to record all vehicle
service.
Hot Climate Oil Change Intervals
Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or
locations with similar climates using an
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification
mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal
oil change interval is 5,000 mi (8,000 km).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not
available, then the oil change interval is
3,000 mi (4,800 km)
.
Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter
Replacement
The life of the engine air filter and cabin air
filter is dependent on exposure to dusty
and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in
these conditions require frequent
inspection and replacement of the engine
air filter and cabin air filter.
490
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Scheduled Maintenance

5. Service Continuity and Reception of
the SUNA Traffic Channel
We will use reasonable endeavours to
provide the SUNA Traffic Channel 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year. The SUNA Traffic
Channel may occasionally be unavailable
for technical reasons or for planned
maintenance. We will try to perform
maintenance at times when congestion is
light. We reserve the right to withdraw
SUNA Products and/or Services at any
time.
Also, we cannot assure the uninterrupted
reception of the SUNA Traffic Channel
RDS-TMC signal at any particular location.
6. Limitation of Liability
Neither Intelematics (nor its suppliers or
the manufacturer of your device (the
“Suppliers”)) shall be liable to you or to
any third party for any damages either
direct, indirect, incidental, consequential
or otherwise arising out of the use of or
inability to use SUNA Products and/or
Services even if Intelematics or a Supplier
has been advised of the possibility of such
damages. You also acknowledge that the
neither Intelematics nor any Supplier
guarantees nor make any warranties that
relate to the availability, accuracy or
completeness of SUNA Products and/or
Services, and to the extent which it is
lawful to do so, both Intelematics and each
Supplier excludes any warranties which
might otherwise be implied by any State
or Federal legislation in relation to SUNA
Products and/or Services.
7. Please Note
Great care has been taken in preparing this
manual. Constant product development
may mean that some information is not
entirely up-to-date. The information in this
document is subject to change without
notice.
558
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Appendices

Readiness for Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) Testing................................................... 198
Changing a Bulb............................................341 LED Lamps........................................................... 342
License Plate Lamp.......................................... 342
Rear Direction Indicator and Reversing Lamp.................................................................. 341
Changing a Fuse..........................................320 Fuses...................................................................... 320
Changing a Road Wheel............................374
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information...................................................... 374
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 375
Changing the 12V Battery.........................336 Battery Management System....................... 337
Remove and Reinstall the Battery..............338
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................328
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.0L................................................................329
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.3L
................................................................330
Changing the Front Wiper Blades.........340
Changing the Rear Wiper Blades
............341
Changing the Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot Name or Password
...................................425
Checking MyKey System Status..............66 MyKey Distance.................................................... 66
Number of Admin Keys...................................... 67
Number of MyKeys............................................... 67
Checking the Wiper Blades.....................340
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance.................................................43
Child Restraint Positioning.........................35
Child Safety......................................................23 General Information............................................ 23
Child Safety Locks.........................................36 Left-Hand Side...................................................... 37
Right-Hand Side................................................... 37
Cleaning Leather Seats..............................347
Cleaning Products
.......................................343
Materials............................................................... 343
Cleaning the Engine....................................345
Cleaning the Exterior..................................344 Cleaning the Exterior Lamps......................... 344
Cleaning the Exterior Precautions...............344
Exterior Chrome Parts..................................... 344
Exterior Plastic Parts........................................ 344Stripes or Graphics...........................................
344
Underbody........................................................... 345
Under Hood......................................................... 345
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens.........................347
Cleaning the Interior
...................................346
Mirrors.................................................................... 346
Cleaning the Wheels..................................348
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades...........................................................346
Clearing All MyKeys.......................................66
Climate.............................................................451 Accessing Rear Climate Controls................453
Accessing the Climate Control Menu.........451
Directing the Airflow.......................................... 451
Rear Climate Control Lock Indicator..........453
Setting the Blower Motor Speed.................. 451
Setting the Temperature................................. 451
Switching Auto Mode On and Off................451
Switching Dual Zone Mode On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching Maximum Air Conditioning On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching Maximum Defrost On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching Rear Auto Mode On and Off...................................................................... 453
Switching Recirculated Air On and Off...................................................................... 453
Switching the Air Conditioning On and Off....................................................................... 451
Switching the Climate Controlled Seats On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching the Climate Control On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Heated Exterior Mirrors On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching the Heated Rear Window On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Heated Seats On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Heated Steering Wheel On and Off.............................................................. 452
Switching the Heated Windshield On and Off....................................................................... 452
Switching the Rear Climate Controlled Seats On and Off.......................................... 453
562
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating
Adjustment........................................................ 47
Driver and Passenger Knee Airbags.........51
Driving Aids....................................................259
Driving Hints..................................................295
Driving Through Water..............................296
DRL See: Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With:
Configurable Daytime Running
Lamps................................................................. 89
See: Daytime Running Lamps - Vehicles With: Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................89
E
Economical Driving
.....................................295
Electric Parking Brake.................................215
Applying the Electric Parking Brake.............215
Automatically Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake.................................................. 216
Manually Releasing the Electric Parking Brake................................................................... 216
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake if the Vehicle Battery is Running Out of
Charge................................................................ 217
Electric Vehicle Information
....................460
Engine On Due To............................................... 461
Power Flow.......................................................... 460
Vehicle Operational States........................... 460
Electromagnetic Compatibility
..............530
Emergency Call Limitations.......................56
Emergency Call Requirements.................55
Emergency Call System Data.....................18
Emission Law
.................................................196
Noise Emissions Warranty, Prohibited
Tampering Acts and Maintenance..........197
Tampering With a Noise Control System.............................................................. 196
End User License Agreement..................533 VEHICLE SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT (EULA) ................................. 533
Engine Block Heater
.....................................178
Using the Engine Block Heater...................... 179
Engine Coolant Check.................................331 Adding Coolant.................................................... 331
Coolant Change.................................................. 333
Engine Coolant Temperature Management.................................................. 334Fail-Safe Cooling...............................................
333
Recycled Coolant............................................... 332
Severe Climates................................................. 333
Engine Emission Control...........................196
Engine Immobilizer See: Passive Anti-Theft System..................... 78
Engine Oil Check..........................................326 Adding Engine Oil............................................... 327
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.0L.........................326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.3L..........................326
Engine Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™.................................................382
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 382
Engine Specifications - 3.0L, ST
............383
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 384
Engine Specifications - 3.0L...................383 Drivebelt Routing............................................... 383
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline.......................................................385
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 385
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)............................386
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 386
Entertainment...............................................441 AM/FM Radio...................................................... 442
Apps....................................................................... 450
Bluetooth Stereo or USB................................ 449
CD........................................................................\
... 448
HD Radio ™ Information (If
Available)........................................................ 445
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (If Activated)........................................................ 443
Sources.................................................................. 442
Supported Media Players, Formats and Metadata Information................................ 450
USB Ports............................................................. 450
Environment.....................................................19
EPB See: Electric Parking Brake.............................. 215
Essential Towing Checks..........................292 Before Towing a Trailer.................................... 293
Hitches................................................................... 292
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)........................................ 293
Safety Chains...................................................... 292
Trailer Brakes....................................................... 292
564
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Index

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
566
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