2021 FORD EXPLORER USB port

Cleaning the Interior
..................................346
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens .......................
347
Cleaning Leather Seats .............................
347
Repairing Minor Paint Damage .............
348
Cleaning the Wheels .................................
348
Vehicle Storage ...........................................
348
Body Styling Kits ........................................
350
Wheels and Tires
General Information ...................................
351
Tire Care .........................................................
353
Using Summer Tires ..................................
366
Using Snow Chains ....................................
366
Tire Pressure Monitoring System .........
368
Changing a Road Wheel ...........................
374
Technical Specifications .........................
380
Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
382
Engine Specifications - 3.0L ..................
383
Engine Specifications - 3.0L, ST ...........
383
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline ........................................................................\
385
Engine Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ..........................
386
Transmission Specifications - ST ........
386
Motorcraft Parts - 2.3L EcoBoost™ .....
388
Motorcraft Parts - 3.0L ............................
389
Motorcraft Parts - 3.3L .............................
390
Vehicle Identification Number ................
391
Capacities and Specifications - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ................................................
391
Capacities and Specifications - 3.0L .......................................................................
398
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L, Gasoline .....................................................
405
Capacities and Specifications - 3.3L, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) .............
412Bulb Specification Chart
..........................
419
Connected Vehicle
What Is a Connected Vehicle ..................
421
Connected Vehicle Requirements .........
421
Connected Vehicle Limitations ..............
421
Connecting the Vehicle to a Mobile Network .......................................................
421
Connecting the Vehicle to a Wi-Fi Network - Vehicles With: SYNC 3 ......
421
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting - Vehicles With: Modem ..........................
422
Connected Vehicle – Troubleshooting - Vehicles With: SYNC 3 ..........................
423
Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot
Creating a Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot .........
425
Changing the Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot Name or Password ................................
425
Audio System
General Information ..................................
426
Audio Unit .....................................................
426
Digital Radio ..................................................
427
Satellite Radio .............................................
429
USB Port ........................................................
432
SYNC™ 3
General Information ..................................
433
Using Voice Recognition ..........................
435
Entertainment ..............................................
441
Climate ............................................................
451
Phone ..............................................................
453
Navigation .....................................................
455
Electric Vehicle Information ...................
460
Apps .................................................................
461
Settings ..........................................................
464
SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting ....................
466
7
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Table of Contents

12 Volt DC Power Point
WARNING: Do not plug optional
electrical accessories into the cigar
lighter socket. Incorrect use of the cigar
lighter can cause damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty, and can result
in fire or serious injury.
Note: When you switch the ignition on, you
can use the socket to power 12 volt
appliances with a maximum current rating
of 15 amps.
Note: If the power supply does not work
after you switch the ignition off, switch the
ignition on.
Note: Do not hang any accessory from the
accessory plug.
Note: Do not use the power point over the
vehicle capacity of 12 volt DC 180 watts or
a fuse may blow.
Note: Always keep the power point caps
closed when not in use.
Do not insert objects other than an
accessory plug into the power point. This
damages the power point and may blow
the fuse.
Run the vehicle for full capacity use of the
power point.
To prevent the battery from running out of
charge:
• Do not use the power point longer than
necessary when the vehicle is not
running.
• Do not leave devices plugged in
overnight or when you park your vehicle
for extended periods. USB Port and Power Point
Locations
USB Ports and Power Points may be in the
following locations:
•
On the lower instrument panel.
• Inside the center console.
• On the front of the center console.
• On the rear of the center console.
• In the cargo area.
• On the passenger side floor panel.
• 3rd row on the quarter trim panels.
Note: Some of the USB ports may not have
data transfer capabilities.
Note: Incorrect use of the USB ports can
cause damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
110 Volt AC Power Point
(If Equipped) WARNING:
Do not keep electrical
devices plugged in the power point
whenever the device is not in use. Do not
use any extension cord with the 110 volt
AC power point, since it will defeat the
safety protection design. Doing so may
cause the power point to overload due
to powering multiple devices that can
reach beyond the 150 watt load limit and
could result in fire or serious injury.
Note: The power point turns off when you
switch off the ignition, when the vehicle is
not in accessory mode or when the battery
voltage drops below 11 volts.
You can use the power point for electric
devices that require up to 150 watts. It is
on the rear of the center console.
167
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Auxiliary Power Points

Protected Component
Fuse Rating
Fuse or Relay
Number
High voltage positive temperature coeffi-
cient heater (hybrid electric vehicle).
Traction battery coolant proportional valve
(hybrid electric vehicle).
10A
98
Not used (spare).
50A
103
Not used (spare).
50A
104
Not used (spare).
40A
105
Not used (spare).
40A
106
Not used (spare).
40A
107
Not used (spare).
20A
108
Passenger door module.
30A
109
Body control module voltage quality
monitor feed.
30A
111
Not used (spare).
20A
112
Not used (spare).
50A
114
Amplifier.
20A
115
Not used (spare).
5A
116
Second row heated seats.
30A
118
Port fuel injectors.
15A
120
Rain sensor.
5A
124
USB smart charger 1.
5A
125
Amplifier.
20A
127
Not used (spare).
15A
128
Power folding seat module.
40A
131
Heated wiper park.
15A
133
Family entertainment system.
10A
134
Not used (spare).
20A
136
316
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Fuses

USB PORT (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: Driving while distracted
can result in loss of vehicle control, crash
and injury. We strongly recommend that
you use extreme caution when using any
device that may take your focus off the
road. Your primary responsibility is the
safe operation of your vehicle. We
recommend against the use of any
hand-held device while driving and
encourage the use of voice-operated
systems when possible. Make sure you
are aware of all applicable local laws
that may affect the use of electronic
devices while driving.
USB A USB C The USB port allows you to plug in media
playing devices, memory sticks and charge
devices.
Note:
We recommend using only USB-IF
certified cables and adapters. Non-certified
cables and adapters may not work.
Locating the USB Ports
The USB ports may be in the following
locations:
• Inside the media bin.
• Inside the center console.
• On the lower instrument panel.
Note: The number and type of USB ports
may vary depending on your vehicle.
Note: Not all USB ports in your vehicle have
data transfer capabilities. See
Auxiliary
Power Points (page 167).
432
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Audio SystemE201595 E301114

Automatic crash notification
system off.
Cell phone network signal
strength.
Vehicle data sharing on.
Vehicle location sharing on.
Vehicle data and vehicle location
sharing on.
Wireless charger active.
Feature Bar Select to use the radio, a USB, a
media player or a Bluetooth
device. See Entertainment
(page 441). Select to adjust climate settings
See
Climate (page 451).
Select to make calls and access
the phonebook on your cell
phone. See
Phone (page 453).
Select to use the navigation
system.
See Navigation (page
455). Select to search for and use
compatible apps on your iOS or
Android device. See Apps (page
461
). Select to adjust system settings.
See
Settings (page 464).
Cleaning the Touchscreen
See
Cleaning the Interior (page 346). Updating the System
Updating the System Using a USB Drive
Downloading an Update
1. Go to the SYNC update page on the
local Ford website.
2. Download the update.
Note: The website notifies you if an update
is available.
3. Insert a USB drive into your computer.
Note: The USB drive needs to be empty and
meet the minimum requirements detailed
on the website.
4. Follow the instructions provided to download the update to the USB drive.
Installing an Update
Note: You can use the system when an
installation is in progress.
1. Disconnect all other USB devices from
the USB ports.
2. Connect the USB drive with the update
to a USB port.
Note: Installation starts automatically
within 10 minutes.
Updating the System Using a Wi-Fi
Network Connection
Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Automatic Updates.
2. Select
System Wi-Fi.
3. Switch
System Wi-Fi on.
4. Select
Available Wi-Fi Networks.
5. Select an available Wi-Fi network.
Note: Enter the network password to
connect to a secure network.
434
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3 E100027 E283811 E280315 E280315

Function
Button
Playlists
Artist
Albums
Songs
Genres
Podcasts
Audio books
Composers
This button allows you to choose a specific
letter to view within the category you are
browsing.
A-Z Jump
If available, this allows you to browse the
folders and files on your USB device.
Explore Device
USB Ports The USB ports are in the center console or
behind a small access door in the
instrument panel.
This feature allows you to plug in USB
media devices, memory sticks, flash drives
or thumb drives, and charge devices if they
support this feature. Select this option to play audio from your
USB device.
Apps
The system supports the use of certain
audio apps such as iHeartRadio through a
USB or Bluetooth enabled device.
Each app gives you different on-screen
options depending on the app's content.
See Apps (page 461).
Supported Media Players, Formats
and Metadata Information
The system is capable of hosting nearly
any digital media player, including iPod,
iPhone, and most USB drives.
Supported audio formats include MP3,
WMA, WAV, AAC, and FLAC.
Supported audio file extensions include
MP3, WMA, WAV, M4A, M4B, AAC, and
FLAC.
450
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3E211463

Supported USB file systems include: FAT,
exFAT, and NTFS.
SYNC 3 is also able to organize the media
from your USB device by metadata tags.
Metadata tags, which are descriptive
software identifiers embedded in the
media files, provide information about the
file.
If your indexed media files contain no
information embedded in these metadata
tags, SYNC 3 may classify the empty
metadata tags as unknown.
SYNC 3 is capable of indexing up to
50,000 songs per USB device, for up to 10
devices.
CLIMATE
Touch the climate button on the
touchscreen to access your climate control
features.
Note:
You can switch temperature units
between Fahrenheit and Celsius. See
Settings (page 464).
Accessing the Climate Control
Menu Touch the button to access
additional controls for the front
climate system.
Directing the Airflow Touch the button to direct
airflow to the windshield air
vents and de-mister.
Touch the button to direct
airflow to the instrument panel
air vents.
Touch the button to direct
airflow to the footwell air vents. You can direct air through any combination
of these air vents.
Setting the Blower Motor Speed Touch up or down to increase or
decrease the volume of air that
circulates in your vehicle.
Setting the Temperature
Touch up or down on the left-hand
temperature control to set the left-hand
temperature.
Note: This control also adjusts the
right-hand side temperature when you
switch off dual zone mode.
Touch up or down on the right-hand
temperature control to set the right-hand
temperature.
Switching Auto Mode On and Off Touch the button to switch on
automatic operation, then set
the temperature.
The system adjusts the blower motor
speed, air distribution, air conditioning
operation, and outside or recirculated air
to reach and maintain the temperature you
have set.
Switching the Air Conditioning On
and Off A pop-up appears on the screen
to display the air conditioning
options.
MAX A/C:
Touch the button to activate
and maximize cooling. The driver and
passenger temperatures are set to LO,
recirculated air flows through the
instrument panel vents, air conditioning
automatically turns on and the fan
automatically adjusts to the highest speed.
451
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3E265038 E244097

Using Text Messaging
Description
Menu Item
Hear the text message.
Hear It
View the text message.
View
Call the sender.
Call
Reply to the text message with a standard text message.
Reply
Apple CarPlay (If Equipped)
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note: Certain features of the system are
not available when you are using Apple
CarPlay.
Switching Apple CarPlay Off Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Apple CarPlay Preferences.
2. Switch
Apple CarPlay off.
Android Auto
(If Equipped)
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note: You might need to enable Android
Auto from the settings menu.
Note: Certain features of the system are
not available when you are using Android
Auto.
Switching Android Auto Off Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Android Auto. 2. Switch
Android Auto off.
NAVIGATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Note: For more information, refer to our
website. Select the navigation option on
the feature bar.
Map view menu.
A
Zoom out.
B
Zoom in.
C
Route guidance menu.
D
Destination entry menu.
E
455
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SYNC™ 3 E297557