Selecting a Drive Mode
..............................178
Drive Modes ...................................................
178
Load Carrying
Load Limit ......................................................
180
Towing
Towing a Trailer ............................................
185
Recommended Towing Weights ...........
186
Essential Towing Checks ..........................
188
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels ......
190
Driving Hints
Reduced Engine Performance .................
191
Economical Driving ......................................
191
Cold Weather Precautions .......................
192
Breaking-In .....................................................
192
Driving Through Water ...............................
192
Floor Mats ......................................................
193
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance ..................................
194
Hazard Flashers ...........................................
195
Fuel Shutoff ...................................................
195
Jump Starting the Vehicle ........................
196
Collision, Damage or Fire Event .............
198
Post-Crash Alert System ..........................
199
Transporting the Vehicle ..........................
199
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need ...............
201
In California (U.S. Only) ...........................
202
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) ....................
203
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
204
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
204
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature .......................................................................
206 Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)
.......................................................................
206
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) .......................................................................
206
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart .........................
208
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
216
Maintenance
General Information ...................................
218
Opening and Closing the Hood ..............
218
Under Hood Overview - 3.0L .................
220
Under Hood Overview - 3.3L ...................
221
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.0L .........................
222
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.3L .........................
222
Engine Oil Check .........................................
222
Oil Change Indicator Reset ......................
223
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.0L ........................................................................\
224
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.3L ....
225
Engine Coolant Check ..............................
226
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ........................................................................\
230
Brake Fluid Check .......................................
230
Power Steering Fluid Check .....................
231
Changing the 12V Battery .........................
231
Adjusting the Headlamps ........................
233
Washer Fluid Check ...................................
235
Fuel Filter .......................................................
235
Checking the Wiper Blades .....................
235
Changing the Front Wiper Blades ........
235
Changing the Rear Wiper Blades ..........
236
Changing a Bulb ..........................................
236
Vehicle Care
General Information ..................................
238
Cleaning Products ......................................
238
Cleaning the Exterior .................................
239
Waxing ............................................................
240
4
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Brake system
Cabin air filter
Check fuel cap
Child safety door lock or unlock
Child seat lower anchor
Child seat tether anchor
Cruise control
Do not open when hot
Engine air filter
Engine coolant
Engine coolant temperature
Engine oil
Explosive gas
Fan warning
Fasten seatbelt Flammable
Front airbag
Front fog lamps
Fuel pump reset
Fuse compartment
Hazard flashers
Heated rear window
Windshield defrosting system
Interior luggage compartment
release
Jack
Keep out of reach of children
Lighting control
Low tire pressure warning
Maintain correct fluid level
Note operating instructions
8
Explorer (CTW) Police, Canada/United States of America, Police, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing IntroductionE270480 E71340 E71880 E231160 E67017 E161353
If the lamp illuminates when you
are moving, you may have the
parking brake applied. Make sure
the parking brake is off. Have
your vehicle checked as soon as
possible if the lamp continues to
illuminate.
Cruise Control Illuminates when you switch this
feature on.
Deep Snow and Sand Illuminates when you switch this
feature on.
Direction Indicator Illuminates when you switch on
the left or right direction
indicator or the hazard flasher. If
the indicators stay on or flash faster, check
for a burned out bulb. See Changing a
Bulb (page 236).
Door Ajar Illuminates when the ignition is
on and any door is not
completely closed.
Electric Park Brake Illuminates or flashes when the
electric parking brake has a
system error. See
Electric
Parking Brake (page 152). Engine or Motor Coolant
Temperature Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high.
Stop your vehicle as soon as
possible, switch off the engine and let it
cool. See
Engine Coolant Check (page
226).
Engine Oil If it illuminates with the engine
running or when you are driving,
this indicates a system error.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level. See
Engine Oil Check
(page 222).
Note: Do not resume your journey if it
illuminates despite the level being correct.
Have the system checked by an authorized
dealer immediately.
Fasten Seatbelt Illuminates and a tone sounds
to remind you to fasten your
seatbelt. See
Seatbelt
Reminder (page 37).
Front Airbag If it fails to illuminate when you
start your vehicle, continues to
flash or remains on, it indicates
there is a system error.
Front Fog Lamps
(If Equipped) Illuminates when you switch the
front fog lamps on.
80
Explorer (CTW) Police, Canada/United States of America, Police, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Instrument ClusterE270480 E71340 E295420 E146190 E71880 E67017
Maintenance
Action
Message
Stop your vehicle as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
Check the oil level. If the warning stays on or continues to come onwith your engine running, have the system checked as soon as possible.
Low Engine Oil
Pressure
The engine oil life is low and needs to be changed soon.
Change Engine Oil
Soon
The engine oil life is low and needs to be changed immediately.
Oil Change
Required
The brake fluid level is low and the brake system should be
inspected immediately. See Brake Fluid Check (page 230).
Brake Fluid Level
Low
The brake system needs servicing. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. Contact an authorized dealer.
Check Brake
System
The engine coolant temperature is excessively high.
Engine Coolant
Over Temperature
The washer fluid is low and needs to be refilled.
Washer Fluid Level
Low
Indicates that your vehicle is still in Transport mode. This may not
allow some features to operate properly. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Transport Mode
Contact Dealer
Indicates that your vehicle is still in Factory mode. This may not
allow some features to operate properly. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Factory Mode
Contact Dealer
Informs the driver that the powertrain needs service due to apowertrain malfunction.
See Manual
The engine has reduced power to help reduce high engine temper- ature.
Power Reduced to
Lower Engine Temp
93
Explorer (CTW) Police, Canada/United States of America, Police, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Information Displays
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 185).
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.
127
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EMISSION LAW
WARNING: Do not remove or alter
the original equipment floor covering or
insulation between it and the metal floor
of the vehicle. The floor covering and
insulation protect occupants of the
vehicle from the engine and exhaust
system heat and noise. On vehicles with
no original equipment floor covering
insulation, do not carry passengers in a
manner that permits prolonged skin
contact with the metal floor. Failure to
follow these instructions may result in
fire or personal injury.
U.S. federal laws and certain state laws
prohibit removing or rendering inoperative
emission control system components.
Similar federal or provincial laws may
apply in Canada. We do not approve of any
vehicle modification without first
determining applicable laws. Tampering with emissions
control systems including
related sensors or the Diesel
Exhaust Fluid system can result in reduced
engine power and the illumination of the
service engine soon light. Tampering With a Noise Control
System
Federal laws prohibit the following acts:
•
Removal or rendering inoperative by
any person other than for purposes of
maintenance.
• Repair or replacement of any device or
element of the design incorporated into
a new vehicle for the purpose of noise
control prior to its sale or delivery to
the ultimate purchaser or while it is in
use.
• The use of the vehicle after any person
removes or renders inoperative any
device or element of the design.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
may presume to constitute tampering as
follows:
• Removal of hood blanket, fender apron
absorbers, fender apron barriers,
underbody noise shields or acoustically
absorptive material.
• Tampering or rendering inoperative the
engine speed governor, to allow engine
speed to exceed manufacturer
specifications.
If the engine does not start, runs rough,
experiences a decrease in engine
performance, experiences excess fuel
consumption or produces excessive
exhaust smoke, check for the following:
• A plugged or disconnected air inlet
system hose.
• A plugged engine air filter element.
• Water in the fuel filter and water
separator.
• A clogged fuel filter.
• Contaminated fuel.
• Air in the fuel system, due to loose
connections.
• An open or pinched sensor hose.
• Incorrect engine oil level.
137
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•
Incorrect fuel for climatic conditions.
• Incorrect engine oil viscosity for
climactic conditions.
Note: Some vehicles have a lifetime fuel
filter that is integrated with the fuel tank.
Regular maintenance or replacement is not
needed.
Note: If these checks do not help you
correct the concern, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Noise Emissions Warranty,
Prohibited Tampering Acts and
Maintenance
On January 1, 1978, Federal regulation
became effective governing the noise
emission on trucks over 10,000 lb
(4,536 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The preceding statements
concerning prohibited tampering acts and
maintenance, and the noise warranty
found in the Warranty Guide, are
applicable to complete chassis cabs over
10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
GVWR.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING:
Do not park, idle or
drive your vehicle on dry grass or other
dry ground cover. The emission system
heats up the engine compartment and
exhaust system, creating the risk of fire. WARNING:
The normal operating
temperature of the exhaust system is
very high. Never work around or attempt
to repair any part of the exhaust system
until it has cooled. Use special care when
working around the catalytic converter.
The catalytic converter heats up to a very
high temperature after only a short
period of engine operation and stays hot
after the engine is switched off. WARNING:
Exhaust leaks may
result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger
compartment. If you smell exhaust
fumes inside your vehicle, have your
vehicle inspected immediately. Do not
drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle has various emission control
components and a catalytic converter that
enables it to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards.
To make sure that the catalytic converter
and other emission control components
continue to work properly:
• Do not crank the engine for more than
10 seconds at a time.
• Do not run the engine with a spark plug
lead disconnected.
• Do not push-start or tow-start your
vehicle. Use booster cables. See Jump
Starting the Vehicle
(page 196).
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Do not switch the ignition off when your
vehicle is moving.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Have the items listed in scheduled
maintenance information performed
according to the specified schedule.
Note: Resulting component damage may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
The scheduled maintenance items listed
in scheduled maintenance information are
essential to the life and performance of
your vehicle and to its emissions system.
If you use anything other than Ford,
Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts for
maintenance replacements or for service
of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent
to genuine Ford Motor Company parts in
performance and durability.
138
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REDUCED ENGINE
PERFORMANCE
WARNING: If you continue to drive
your vehicle when the engine is
overheating, the engine could stop
without warning. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
needle moves to the upper limit position,
the engine is overheating. See Gauges
(page 78).
You must only drive your vehicle for a short
distance if the engine overheats. The
distance you can travel depends on
ambient temperature, vehicle load and
terrain. The engine continues to operate
with limited power for a short period of
time.
If the engine temperature continues to rise,
the fuel supply to the engine reduces. The
air conditioning switches off and the engine
cooling fan operates continually.
1. Gradually reduce your speed and stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
2. Immediately switch the engine off to prevent severe engine damage.
3. Wait for the engine to cool down.
4. Check the coolant level. See
Engine
Coolant Check (page 226).
5. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things
such as how you drive, the conditions you
drive under and how you maintain your
vehicle. You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
•
Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at
55 mph (88 km/h) uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph
(105 km/h)).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.
• Revving the engine before switching it
off.
• Idle for periods longer than one minute.
• Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.
• Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
• Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving.
• Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a
trailer.
191
Explorer (CTW) Police, Canada/United States of America, Police, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Driving Hints