
GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: Driving while distractedcan result in loss of vehicle control, crashand injury. We strongly recommend thatyou use extreme caution when using anydevice that may take your focus off theroad. Your primary responsibility is thesafe operation of your vehicle. Werecommend against the use of any
hand-held device while driving andencourage the use of voice-operatedsystems when possible. Make sure youare aware of all applicable local lawsthat may affect the use of electronicdevices while driving.
Radio Frequencies and ReceptionFactors
Note:Listening to loud audio for longperiods of time could damage your hearing.
Radio Reception Factors
The further you travel from an AM or FM station, theweaker the signal and the weaker the reception.Distance and strength
Hills, mountains, tall buildings, bridges, tunnels, freewayoverpasses, parking garages, dense tree foliage andthunderstorms can interfere with the reception.
Terrain
When you pass a ground-based broadcast repeatingtower, a stronger signal may overtake a weaker one andresult in the audio system muting.
Station overload
AUDIO UNIT
Note:Depending on your vehicle optionpackage, the controls may look differentfrom what you see here.
Note:Some features, such as satelliteradio, may not be available in your location.Check with an authorized dealer.
Note:The touchscreen system controlsmost of the audio features.
Adjusting the Volume
Turn to adjust the volume.
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When HD Radio broadcasts are active, youcan access the following functions:
•Memory presets allow you to save anactive channel as a memory preset.Touch and hold a memory preset slotuntil the sound returns. There is a briefmute while the radio saves the station.Sound returns when finished. When
switching to an HD2 or HD3 memorypreset, the sound mutes before thedigital audio plays, because the systemhas to reacquire the digital signal.
Note:As with any saved radio station, youcannot access the saved station if yourvehicle is outside the station’s receptionarea.
HD Radio Reception and Station Troubleshooting
Potential Reception Issues
If you are listening to a multicast station and you are onthe fringe of the reception area, the station may mute dueto weak signal strength.
Reception area
If you are listening to HD1, the system switches back tothe analog broadcast until the digital broadcast is availableagain. However, if you are listening to any of the possibleHD2-HD7 multicast channels, the station mutes and staysmuted unless it is able to connect to the digital signalagain.
When the system first receives a station, aside from HD2-HD7 multicast stations, it first plays the station in theanalog version. Once the receiver verifies the station is anHD Radio station, it shifts to the digital version. Dependingon the station quality, you may hear a slight sound changewhen the station changes from analog to digital. Blendingis the shift from analog to digital sound or digital back toanalog sound.
Station blending
In order to provide the best possibleexperience, use the contact form to reportany station issues found while listening toa station broadcasting with HD Radiotechnology. Independent entities own andoperate each station. These stations areresponsible for the accuracy of all audiostreams and data fields.
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Potential Station Issues
ActionCauseIssues
No action required. This is abroadcast issue.This is poor time alignmentby the radio broadcaster.Echo, stutter, skip or repeatin audio.Increase or decrease inaudio volume.
No action required. Thereception issue may clear upas you continue to drive.
The radio is shifting betweenanalog and digital audio.Sound fading or blending inand out.
No action required. This isnormal behavior. Wait untilthe audio is available.
The digital multicast is notavailable until the HD Radiobroadcast is decoded. Oncedecoded, the audio is avail-able.
There is an audio mutedelay when selecting HD2 orHD3, multicast preset ordirect tune.
No action required. Thestation is not available inyour current location.
The previously storedmulticast preset or directtune is not available in yourcurrent reception area.
Cannot access the HD2 orHD3 multicast channelswhen recalling a preset orfrom a direct tune.
Fill out the station issueform at website listed
below.1
Data service issue by theradio broadcaster.Text information does notmatch currently playingaudio.
Fill out the station issueform at website listed
below.1
Data service issue by theradio broadcaster.There is no text informationshown for currently selectedfrequency.
1 http://hdradio.com/stations/feedback.
HD Radio Technology manufactured underlicense from iBiquity Digital Corporationand foreign patents. HD Radio and the HDand HD Radio logos are proprietarytrademarks of DTS. Ford and DTS are notresponsible for the content sent using HDRadio technology. Content may bechanged, added or deleted at any time atthe station owner's discretion.
SATELLITE RADIO (IF EQUIPPED)
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio broadcasts avariety of music, news, sports, weather,traffic and entertainment satellite radiochannels. For more information and acomplete list of SiriusXM satellite radiochannels, visit www.siriusxm.com in theUnited States, www.siriusxm.ca in Canada,or call SiriusXM at 1-888-539-7474.
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ActionConditionMessage
No action required. Theprocess may take up tothree minutes.
Update of channelprogramming in progress.Updating…
Contact SiriusXM at 1-888-539-7474 to resolvesubscription issues.
Your satellite service is nolonger available.Questions? Call
1-888-539-7474
Use the channel guide toturn off the Lock or Skipfunction on that station.
All the channels in theselected category are eitherskipped or locked.
None found
Check Channel Guide
No action required.SiriusXM has updated thechannels available for yourvehicle.
Subscription Updated
USB PORT
WARNING: Driving while distractedcan result in loss of vehicle control, crashand injury. We strongly recommend thatyou use extreme caution when using anydevice that may take your focus off theroad. Your primary responsibility is thesafe operation of your vehicle. Werecommend against the use of anyhand-held device while driving andencourage the use of voice-operatedsystems when possible. Make sure youare aware of all applicable local lawsthat may affect the use of electronicdevices while driving.
USB A
USB C
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingAudio SystemE201595 E301114

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: Driving while distractedcan result in loss of vehicle control, crashand injury. We strongly recommend thatyou use extreme caution when using anydevice that may take your focus off theroad. Your primary responsibility is thesafe operation of your vehicle. Werecommend against the use of anyhand-held device while driving andencourage the use of voice-operatedsystems when possible. Make sure youare aware of all applicable local lawsthat may affect the use of electronicdevices while driving.
About SYNC
The system allows you to interact with theentertainment, information andcommunication systems on your vehicleusing voice commands and a touchscreen.The system provides easy interaction withaudio, phone, navigation, mobile apps andsettings.
Note:You can switch the system on anduse it for up to an hour without switchingthe ignition on.
Note:You can use the system after youswitch the ignition off for up to 10 minutesor until you open a door.
Note:For your safety, some features arespeed-dependent. Their use is limited towhen your vehicle speed is less than 3 mph(5 km/h).
Using the Touchscreen
Status bar.A
Home screen.B
Clock. See Settings (page 458).C
Outside air temperature.D
Feature bar.E
Status Bar
Cell phone microphone muted.
Audio system muted.
Software update installed.
Wi-Fi connected.
Cell phone roaming.
Text message received.
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SourcesPress this button to select the source ofmedia you want to listen to.
Menu Item
AM
FM
1SIRIUS
CD
The name of the USB that is plugged in displays here.USB
Bluetooth Stereo
If you have SYNC 3 compatible apps on your connected smart phone, theydisplay here as individual source selections.Apps
1 This feature may not be available in all markets and requires an active subscription.
AM/FM Radio
Tuning a Station
You can use the tune or seek controls onthe radio bezel to select a station.
To tune a station using thetouchscreen, select:
Menu Item
Direct Tune
A pop up appears, allowing you to type inthe frequency of a station. You can onlyenter a valid station for the source you arecurrently listening to.
You can press the backspace button todelete the previously entered number.
Once you have entered the station'scall numbers, you can select:
Action and Descrip-tionMenu Item
Press to beginplaying the stationyou have entered.
Enter
Press to exitwithout changingthe station.
Cancel
Presets
To set a new preset, tune to the stationand then press and hold one of thememory preset buttons. The audio mutesbriefly while the system saves the stationand then returns.
You may be able to add additional presetpages using the settings option on thefeature bar.
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HD Radio Reception and Station Troubleshooting
Potential Reception Issues
If you are listening to a multicast station and you are on thefringe of the reception area, the station may mute due toweak signal strength.
Reception area
If you are listening to HD1, the system changes back to theanalog broadcast until the digital broadcast is available again.However, if you are listening to any of the possible HD2-HD7multicast channels, the station mutes and stays muted unlessit is able to connect to the digital signal again.
When the system first receives a station (aside from HD2-HD7 multicast stations), it first plays the station in the analogversion. Once the receiver verifies the station is an HD Radiostation, it shifts to the digital version. Depending on the stationquality, you may hear a slight sound change when the stationchanges from analog to digital. Blending is the shift fromanalog to digital sound or digital back to analog sound.
Station blending
In order to provide the best possibleexperience, use the contact form to reportany station issues found while listening toa station broadcasting with HD Radiotechnology. Independent entities own andoperate each station. These stations areresponsible for ensuring all audio streamsand data fields are accurate.
Potential Station Issues
ActionCauseIssues
No action required. This is abroadcast issue.This is poor time alignment bythe radio broadcaster.Echo, stutter, skip orrepeat in audio.Increase or decrease inaudio volume.
No action required. The recep-tion issue may clear up as youcontinue to drive.
The radio is shifting betweenanalog and digital audio.Sound fading orblending in and out.
No action required. This isnormal behavior. Wait until theaudio is available.
The digital multicast is notavailable until the HD Radiobroadcast is decoded. Oncedecoded, the audio is available.
There is an audio mutedelay when selectingHD2 or HD3, multicastpreset or Direct Tune.
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Potential Station Issues
ActionCauseIssues
No action required. The stationis not available in your currentlocation.
The previously stored multicastpreset or direct tune is notavailable in your current recep-tion area.
Cannot access HD2 orHD3 multicast channelwhen recalling a presetor from a direct tune.
Fill out the station issue form.1Data service issue by the radiobroadcaster.Text information doesnot match currentlyplaying audio.
Fill out the station issue form.1Data service issue by the radiobroadcaster.There is no textinformation shown forcurrently selectedfrequency.
1 You can find the form here:
Website
http://hdradio.com/stations/feedback
HD Radio Technology manufactured underlicense from iBiquity Digital Corporationand foreign patents. HD Radio and the HDand HD Radio logos are proprietarytrademarks of DTS. The vehiclemanufacturer and DTS are not responsiblefor the content sent using HD Radiotechnology. Content may be changed,added or deleted at any time at the stationowner's discretion.
CD (If Equipped)
Once you select this option, the systemreturns you to the main audio screen.
The current audio information appears onthe screen.
The following buttons are also available:
FunctionButton
You can use the browse button to select a track.Browse
Select this button and a small number one displays to indicatethe track is set to repeat.Repeat
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