2021 FORD EXPLORER towing

360 Degree Camera
...................................241
Cruise Control
What Is Cruise Control ..............................
244
Switching Cruise Control On and Off ........................................................................\
244
Setting the Cruise Control Speed ........
244
Canceling the Set Speed .........................
245
Resuming the Set Speed .........................
245
Cruise Control Indicators .........................
245
Adaptive Cruise Control
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop and Go Work .................................
246
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control With Lane Centering ........................................
246
What Is Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control ........................................................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering .............................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ..................................
246
Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering ..............................
247
Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ..................................
248
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On and Off .......................................................
250
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Speed .........................................................
250
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Control Gap ........................................................................\
.
251
Canceling the Set Speed .........................
252
Resuming the Set Speed .........................
252
Overriding the Set Speed .........................
252
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Lane Centering ..............................
253Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators -
Vehicles With: Adaptive Cruise Control
With Stop and Go ...................................
253
Adaptive Cruise Control Indicators - Vehicles With: Intelligent Adaptive
Cruise Control ..........................................
253
Switching From Adaptive Cruise Control to Cruise Control .....................................
253
Switching Lane Centering On and Off ........................................................................\
254
Switching Intelligent Mode On and Off ........................................................................\
255
Adjusting the Set Speed Tolerance ......
255
Adaptive Cruise Control – Troubleshooting ......................................
256
Driving Aids
Driver Alert ....................................................
259
Lane Keeping System ...............................
260
Blind Spot Information System ............
264
Cross Traffic Alert .......................................
268
Speed Sign Recognition ............................
271
Steering ...........................................................
273
Pre-Collision Assist ....................................
273
Drive Mode Control
What Is Drive Mode Control ....................
278
Selecting a Drive Mode .............................
278
Drive Modes ..................................................
278
Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage .......................
280
Cargo Nets ....................................................
280
Luggage Covers ............................................
281
Roof Racks and Load Carriers ................
281
Load Limit ......................................................
282
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
288
Trailer Sway Control ..................................
289
Recommended Towing Weights ..........
289
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Table of Contents

Essential Towing Checks
.........................292
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels .....
294
Driving Hints
Reduced Engine Performance ...............
295
Economical Driving ....................................
295
Cold Weather Precautions ......................
296
Breaking-In ...................................................
296
Driving Through Water .............................
296
Floor Mats ......................................................
297
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance .................................
298
Hazard Flashers ..........................................
299
Fuel Shutoff .................................................
299
Jump Starting the Vehicle ......................
300
Collision, Damage or Fire Event ............
302
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
303
Transporting the Vehicle .........................
303
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need .............
305
In California (U.S. Only) ...........................
306
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) .....................
307
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) .....................
308
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada ......................................................
308
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
.
310
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only) ........................................................................\
.
310
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
.
310
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart ...........................
312
Changing a Fuse .........................................
320Maintenance
General Information
...................................
322
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
322
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
323
Under Hood Overview - 3.0L ..................
324
Under Hood Overview - 3.3L ..................
325
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.0L ........................
326
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.3L .........................
326
Engine Oil Check .........................................
326
Oil Change Indicator Reset ......................
327
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
Engine Coolant Check ................................
331
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ........................................................................\
335
Brake Fluid Check .......................................
335
Power Steering Fluid Check ....................
336
Changing the 12V Battery ........................
336
Adjusting the Headlamps .......................
338
Washer Fluid Check ...................................
340
Fuel Filter .......................................................
340
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
340
Changing the Front Wiper Blades ........
340
Changing the Rear Wiper Blades ...........
341
Changing a Bulb ...........................................
341
Vehicle Care
General Information ..................................
343
Cleaning Products ......................................
343
Cleaning the Exterior .................................
344
Waxing ............................................................
345
Cleaning the Engine ...................................
345
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades ........................................................................\
346
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Table of Contents

Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Action
Message
One or more tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. See Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (page 368).
Tire Pressure Low
The tire pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, have the system checked as soonas possible. See
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (page 368).
Tire Pressure
Monitor Fault
A tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use.For more information on how the system operates under these
conditions, See
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (page 368). If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, have the system checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure
Sensor Fault
Trailer Action
Message
A correct trailer connection is sensed duringa given ignition cycle.
Trailer Connected
A trailer connection becomes disconnected,either intentionally or unintentionally, and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle.
Trailer Disconnected
The trailer sway control has detected trailersway.
Trailer Sway Reduce Speed
There are certain faults in your vehicle
wiring and trailer wiring/brake system. See Towing a Trailer
(page 288).
Trailer Wiring Fault
There is a fault with your trailer turn lamp.Check your lamp.
Trailer Left Turn Lamps Fault Check Lamps
There is a fault with your trailer turn lamp.Check your lamp.
Trailer Right Turn Lamps Fault Check
Lamps
There is a fault with your trailer battery.See
Towing a Trailer (page 288).
Trailer Battery Not Charging See Manual
There is a fault with your vehicle trailer
lighting module. See
Towing a Trailer
(page 288).
Trailer Lighting Module Fault See Manual
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Information Displays

Action
Message
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
SHIFT SYS FAULT
Drive UnavailableSelect S for Drive Service Required
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
SHIFT SYS FAULT
Neutral Unavail- able ServiceRequired
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
SHIFT SYS FAULT
Sport Unavailable Service Required
Displays when an invalid gear has been selected.
Invalid Gear Selec-
tion
Displays when the brake pedal needs to be depressed to enable the transmission to shift from park.
Depress Brake to
Shift from Park
Reminder to switch off the ignition while in neutral tow.
Neutral Tow
Engaged Turn Igni-
tion Off for Towing
Displays when neutral hold is active and you want to exit neutral tow.
Neutral Tow
Engaged Depress Brake and Select Park to Exit
Neutral Tow
Reminder to remove park brake while in neutral tow.
Neutral Tow
Remove Park
Brake for Towing
Displays when the neutral tow is off.
Neutral Tow
Disengaged
Displays when neutral tow is on.
Neutral Tow
Enabled Leave
Transmission in Neutral
137
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Information Displays

2. Fold the head restraints by pulling the
head restraint release strap.
3. From the rear of the vehicle, fold the seat backrest by pulling and holding
the strap while pushing the seat
backrest forward. Release the strap
once the seat backrest starts rotating
forward.
Note: Do not use the seat anchors as cargo
tie downs.
Note: Make sure that the area under the
seat is free of objects before stowing it.
Unfolding the Third Row Manual Seat WARNING: Do not place cargo or
any objects behind the seat backrest
before returning it to the original position.
Pull on the seat backrest to make sure
that it has fully latched after returning
the seat backrest to its original position.
An unlatched seat may become
dangerous if you stop suddenly or have
a crash.
Note: Make sure that there are no objects
such as books, purses or briefcases on the
load floor before unstowing the seat. Failure
to remove all objects from the top of the
load floor prior to unstowing it may cause
damage to the seat. Note:
Make sure the area under the load
floor is free of objects before unstowing it. 1. To return the seat backrest to the
upright position, pull the long strap
until the seat backrest locks.
2. Pull the head restraints up to their normal positions.
Adjusting the Third Row Power
Seats
Note: The power rear seat functions disable
10 minutes after you switch the ignition off.
The transmission must be in park (P) and
the liftgate must be open to operate the
seats.
The buttons are inside the liftgate area.
157
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing SeatsE286398 E286399

HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
This hybrid vehicle combines electric and
gasoline propulsion to provide
breakthrough performance and improved
efficiency. Familiarizing yourself with these
unique characteristics provides an optimal
driving experience from your vehicle.
Starting
When you start your vehicle, a
green READY indicator light
appears in the instrument cluster
letting you know that your vehicle is ready
for driving.
The engine may not start because your
vehicle has a silent key start feature. This
fuel saving feature allows your vehicle to
be ready to drive without requiring the gas
engine to be running. The indicator remains
on when your vehicle is on, whether the
engine is running or not, to indicate your
vehicle is capable of movement using the
electric motor, gas engine or both.
Typically, the engine does not start unless
the vehicle is cold, a climate control
change is requested or you press the
accelerator pedal.
Driving
The gas engine automatically starts and
stops to provide power when needed and
to save fuel when not needed. When
coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop,
or standing, the gas engine normally shuts
down and your vehicle operates in
electric-only mode.
Conditions that may cause the engine to
start up or remain running include:
• Considerable vehicle acceleration.
• Climbing a hill.
• Charge level of high voltage battery is
low. •
High or low outside temperatures in
order to provide system heating or
cooling.
• Engine not warm enough to provide
passenger requested cabin
temperature.
• Towing a trailer.
• Selectable drive modes: Certain
selectable drive modes may cause the
engine to run. See What Is Drive Mode
Control (page 278).
• Live in Drive: Use of the paddle shifters
while in drive (D) may cause the engine
to run. See Automatic Transmission
(page
201).
Stopping
The gas engine may shut off to conserve
fuel as you come to a stop. Restarting your
vehicle is not required. Simply step on the
accelerator when you are ready to drive.
Transmission Operation
The engine and electric motor together
propel the vehicle through the automatic
transmission. This is normal hybrid
operating and helps deliver fuel efficiency
and performance.
Battery
Your hybrid is equipped with a high voltage
battery. A cool battery maintains battery
life and provides the best possible
performance. The high voltage battery is
cooled by the vehicle's air conditioning
system. When the air conditioning system
is on, you may notice a slight increase in
air temperature coming from the climate
control vents while the battery is cooling.
You may also notice cool air flowing from
the vents when the air conditioning or
blower is off.
182
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Unique Driving CharacteristicsE293827

Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 or
regular unleaded gasoline blended with a
maximum of 85% ethanol (E85).
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 288).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty. Do not use:
•
Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline
We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km)
to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
186
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513

FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 288).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com. Note:
Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is in the spare wheel
storage tray.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
187
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513