2023 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

This system provides an improved overalllevel of frontal crash protection to frontseat occupants and is designed to helpfurther reduce the risk of airbag-relatedinjuries. The system analyzes differentoccupant conditions and crash severitybefore activating the appropriate safetydevices to help better protect occupantsin a variety of frontal crash situations.
Your vehicle's Personal Safety Systemconsists of:
•Driver and passenger dual-stage airbagsupplemental restraints.
•Front seat outermost seatbelts withpretensioners, energy managementretractors and seatbelt usage sensors.
•Front passenger sensing system.
•Passenger airbag off and on indicators.
•Front crash severity sensors.
•Restraints control module with impactand safing sensors.
•Restraint system warning light andtone.
•The electrical wiring for the airbags,crash sensors, seatbelt pretensioners,front seatbelt usage sensors, frontpassenger sensing system andindicator lights.
How Does the Personal SafetySystem Work?
The Personal Safety System can adapt thedeployment strategy of the safety devicesaccording to crash severity and occupantconditions. A collection of crash andoccupant sensors provides information tothe restraints control module. During acrash, the restraints control module maydeploy the seatbelt pretensioners, one orboth stages of the dual-stage airbagsbased on crash severity and occupantconditions.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingPersonal Safety System™

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Airbags do not inflateslowly or gently, and the risk of injuryfrom a deploying airbag is the greatestclose to the trim covering the airbagmodule.
WARNING: All occupants of yourvehicle, including the driver, shouldalways properly wear their seatbelts,even when an airbag supplementalrestraint system is provided. Failure toproperly wear your seatbelt couldseriously increase the risk of injury ordeath.
WARNING: Even with advancedrestraints systems, properly restrainchildren 12 and under in a rear seatingposition. Failure to follow this couldseriously increase the risk of injury ordeath.
WARNING: Do not place your armson the airbag cover or through thesteering wheel. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injury.
WARNING: Keep the areas in frontof the airbags free from obstruction. Donot affix anything to or over the airbagcovers. Objects could become projectilesduring airbag deployment or in a suddenstop. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Airbags can kill or injurea child in a child restraint. Never place arear-facing child restraint in front of anactive airbag. If you must use aforward-facing child restraint in the frontseat, move the seat upon which the childrestraint is installed all the way back.
WARNING: Do not attempt toservice, repair, or modify thesupplementary restraint system orassociated components. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: Several airbag systemcomponents get hot after inflation. Toreduce the risk of injury, do not touchthem after inflation.
WARNING: If a supplementaryrestraint system component hasdeployed, it will not function again. Havethe system and associated componentsinspected as soon as possible. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
The airbags are a supplemental restraintsystem and are designed to work with theseatbelts to help protect the driver andright front passenger from certain upperbody injuries. Airbags do not inflate slowly;there is a risk of injury from a deployingairbag.
Note:You will hear a loud bang and see acloud of harmless powdery residue if anairbag deploys. This is normal.
The airbags inflate and deflate rapidlyupon activation. After airbag deployment,it is normal to notice a smoke-like, powderyresidue or smell the burnt propellant. Thismay consist of cornstarch, talcum powder(to lubricate the bag) or sodiumcompounds (for example, baking soda)that result from the combustion processthat inflates the airbag. Small amounts ofsodium hydroxide may be present whichmay irritate the skin and eyes, but none ofthe residue is toxic.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints System

While the system is designed to helpreduce serious injuries, contact with adeploying airbag may also cause abrasionsor swelling. Temporary hearing loss is alsoa possibility as a result of the noiseassociated with a deploying airbag.Because airbags must inflate rapidly andwith considerable force, there is the risk ofdeath or serious injuries such as fractures,facial and eye injuries or internal injuries,particularly to occupants who are notproperly restrained or are otherwise out ofposition at the time of airbag deployment.Thus, it is extremely important thatoccupants be properly restrained as faraway from the airbag module as possiblewhile maintaining vehicle control.
Routine maintenance of the airbags is notrequired.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER
AIRBAGS
WARNING: Do not place your armson the airbag cover or through thesteering wheel. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injury.
WARNING: Keep the areas in frontof the airbags free from obstruction. Donot affix anything to or over the airbagcovers. Objects could become projectilesduring airbag deployment or in a suddenstop. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Airbags can kill or injurea child in a child restraint. Never place arear-facing child restraint in front of anactive airbag. If you must use aforward-facing child restraint in the frontseat, move the seat upon which the childrestraint is installed all the way back.
The driver and front passenger airbags willdeploy during significant frontal and nearfrontal crashes.
The driver and passenger front airbagsystem consists of:
•Driver and passenger airbag modules.
•Front passenger sensing system.
· Crash sensors and monitoringsystem with readiness indicator.See Crash Sensors and AirbagIndicator (page 52).
Proper Driver and Front PassengerSeating Adjustment
WARNING: National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)recommends a minimum distance of atleast 10 in (25 cm) between anoccupant's chest and the driver airbagmodule.
To properly position yourself away fromthe airbag:
•Move your seat to the rear as far as youcan while still reaching the pedalscomfortably.
•Recline the seat slightly (one or twodegrees) from the upright position.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints SystemE151127 E67017

After all occupants have adjusted theirseats and put on seatbelts, it is veryimportant that they continue to sitproperly. A properly seated occupant sitsupright, leaning against the seatback, andcentered on the seat cushion, with theirfeet comfortably extended on the floor.Sitting improperly can increase the chanceof injury in a crash event. For example, ifan occupant slouches, lies down, turnssideways, sits forward, leans forward orsideways, or puts one or both feet up, thechance of injury during a crash is greatlyincreased.
Children and Airbags
WARNING: Airbags can kill or injurea child in a child restraint. Never place arear-facing child restraint in front of anactive airbag. If you must use aforward-facing child restraint in the frontseat, move the seat upon which the childrestraint is installed all the way back.
Children must always be properlyrestrained. Accident statistics suggest thatchildren are safer when properly restrainedin the rear seating positions than in thefront seating position. Failure to followthese instructions may increase the risk ofinjury in a crash.
FRONT PASSENGER SENSING
SYSTEM
WARNING: Even with advancedrestraints systems, properly restrainchildren 12 and under in a rear seatingposition. Failure to follow this couldseriously increase the risk of injury ordeath.
WARNING: Sitting improperly, outof position or with the seatback reclinedtoo far can take weight off the seatcushion and affect the decision of thepassenger sensing system, resulting inserious injury or death in the event of acrash. Always sit upright against yourseat back, with your feet on the floor.
WARNING: Any alteration ormodification to the front passenger seatmay affect the performance of the frontpassenger sensing system. This couldseriously increase the risk of injury ordeath.
This system works with sensors that arepart of the front passenger seat andseatbelt to detect the presence of aproperly-seated occupant and determineif the front passenger frontal airbag shouldbe enabled (may inflate) or not.
The front passenger sensing system usesa passenger airbag status indicator thatilluminates indicating that the frontpassenger frontal airbag is either on(enabled) or off (disabled).
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints SystemE142846 E181984

The indicators are on the overheadconsole.
Note:The indicators illuminate briefly whenyou first switch the ignition on to confirmthey are functional.
The front passenger sensing system isdesigned to disable (will not inflate) thefront passenger frontal airbag when thefront passenger seat is unoccupied, or arear facing infant seat, a forward-facingchild restraint, or a booster seat isdetected. Even with this technology,parents are strongly encouraged toalways properly restrain children in the rearseat.
•When the front passenger sensingsystem disables (will not inflate) thefront passenger frontal airbag, theairbag off indicator illuminates andstays lit to remind you that the frontpassenger frontal airbag is disabled.
•If you have installed the child restraintand the airbag on indicator illuminates,switch the vehicle off, remove the childrestraint from the vehicle and reinstallthe restraint according to the childrestraint manufacturer's instructions.
The front passenger sensing system isdesigned to enable (may inflate) the frontpassenger frontal airbag anytime thesystem senses that a person of adult sizeis sitting properly in the front passengerseat.
•When the front passenger sensingsystem enables the front passengerfrontal airbag (may inflate), the airbagon indicator illuminates and remainsilluminated.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the frontpassenger seat, but the airbag off indicatoris lit, it is possible that the person is notsitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
•Switch the vehicle off and ask theperson to place the seat backrest in anupright position.
•Have the person sit upright in the seat,centered on the seat cushion, with theperson’s legs comfortably extended.
•Restart the vehicle and have the personremain in this position for about twominutes. This allows the system todetect that person and enables thepassenger frontal airbag.
•If the airbag off indicator remains liteven after this, advise the person toride in the rear seat.
Passenger AirbagPassenger Airbag StatusIndicatorOccupant
DisabledOFF: LitEmpty
ON: Unlit
DisabledOFF: LitChild
ON: Unlit
EnabledOFF: UnlitAdult
ON: Lit
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints System

After all occupants have adjusted theirseats and put on seatbelts, it is veryimportant that they continue to sitproperly. A properly seated occupant sitsupright, leaning against the seat backrest,and centered on the seat cushion, withtheir feet comfortably extended on thefloor. Sitting improperly can increase thechance of injury in a crash event. Forexample, if an occupant slouches, liesdown, turns sideways, sits forward, leansforward or sideways, or puts one or bothfeet up, the chance of injury during a crashgreatly increases.
Make sure the front passengersensing system is operatingproperly. See Crash Sensorsand Airbag Indicator (page 52).
Do not attempt to repair or service thesystem. Take your vehicle immediately toan authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advancedfront airbag system to accommodate aperson with disabilities, contact ourCustomer Relationship Center. SeeGetting the Services You Need (page298).
SIDE AIRBAGS
WARNING: Do not place objectsor mount equipment on or near theairbag cover, on the side of the front orrear seatbacks, or in areas that maycome into contact with a deployingairbag. Failure to follow theseinstructions may increase the risk ofpersonal injury in the event of a crash.
WARNING: Accessory seat coversnot released by Ford Motor Companycould prevent the deployment of theairbags and increase the risk of injuriesin a crash.
WARNING: Do not lean your headon the door. The side airbag could injureyou as it deploys from the side of theseatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt toservice, repair, or modify thesupplementary restraint system orassociated components. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: If a supplementaryrestraint system component hasdeployed, it will not function again. Havethe system and associated componentsinspected as soon as possible. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
The side airbags are on the outermost sideof the front seat backrests. In certainsideways crashes or rollover events, theside airbags will be inflated. The airbagwas designed to inflate between the doorpanel and occupant to further enhance theprotection provided to occupants in sideimpact crashes.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints SystemE67017 E152533

The system consists of the following:
•A label or embossed side panelindicating that your vehicle has sideairbags.
•Side airbags inside the driver and frontpassenger seat backrests.
Crash sensors and monitoringsystem with readiness indicator.See Crash Sensors and AirbagIndicator (page 52).
The design and development of the sideairbag system included recommendedtesting procedures that were developedby a group of automotive safety expertsknown as the Side Airbag TechnicalWorking Group. These recommendedtesting procedures help reduce the risk ofinjuries related to the deployment of sideairbags.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER
KNEE AIRBAGS
Driver and passenger knee airbags arelocated under or within the instrumentpanel. During a crash, the restraints controlmodule may activate the driver andpassenger knee airbags (individually orboth) based on crash severity andrespective occupant conditions. Undercertain crash and occupant conditions, thedriver and passenger knee airbags maydeploy (individually or both) but thecorresponding front airbag may notactivate. As with front and side airbags, itis important to be properly seated andrestrained to reduce the risk of death orserious injury.
Make sure the knee airbags areoperating properly. See CrashSensors and Airbag Indicator(page 52).
SAFETY CANOPY™
WARNING: Do not place objectsor mount equipment on or near theheadliner at the siderail that may comeinto contact with a deploying curtainairbag. Failure to follow theseinstructions may increase the risk ofpersonal injury in the event of a crash.
WARNING: Do not lean your headon the door. The curtain airbag couldinjure you as it deploys from theheadliner.
WARNING: Do not attempt toservice, repair, or modify thesupplementary restraint system orassociated components. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: All occupants of yourvehicle, including the driver, shouldalways properly wear their seatbelts,even when an airbag supplementalrestraint system is provided. Failure toproperly wear your seatbelt couldseriously increase the risk of injury ordeath.
WARNING: To reduce risk of injury,do not obstruct or place objects in thedeployment path of the airbag.
WARNING: If a supplementaryrestraint system component hasdeployed, it will not function again. Havethe system and associated componentsinspected as soon as possible. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints SystemE67017 E67017

The Safety Canopy will deploy duringsignificant side crashes or when a certainlikelihood of a rollover event is detectedby the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopyis mounted to the roof side-rail sheetmetal, behind the headliner, above eachrow of seats. In certain sideways crashesor rollover events, the Safety Canopy willbe activated, regardless of which seats areoccupied. The Safety Canopy is designedto inflate between the side window areaand occupants to further enhanceprotection provided in side impact crashesand rollover events.
The system consists of the following:
•Safety canopy curtain airbags abovethe trim panels over the front and rearside windows identified by a label orwording on the headliner or roof-pillartrim.
•A flexible headliner which opens abovethe side doors to allow air curtaindeployment
· Crash sensors and monitoringsystem with readiness indicator.See Crash Sensors and AirbagIndicator (page 52).
Always properly restrain children 12 yearsold and under in the rear seats. The SafetyCanopy will not interfere with childrenrestrained using a properly installed childor booster seat because it is designed toinflate downward from the headliner abovethe doors along the side window opening.
The design and development of the SafetyCanopy included recommended testingprocedures that were developed by agroup of automotive safety experts knownas the Side Airbag Technical WorkingGroup. These recommended testingprocedures help reduce the risk of injuriesrelated to the deployment of side airbags(including the Safety Canopy).
CRASH SENSORS AND
AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING: Modifying or addingequipment to the front of your vehiclecould affect the performance of theairbag system, increasing the risk ofinjury. This includes the hood, bumpersystem, frame, front body structure, towhooks, hood pins, push bar andsnowplows.
Your vehicle has a collection of crash andoccupant sensors which provideinformation to the restraints controlmodule. The restraints control moduledeploys (activates) the seatbeltpretensioners, driver airbag, passengerairbag, knee airbag(s), seat mounted sideairbags and the Safety Canopy. Based onthe type of crash, the restraints controlmodule deploys the appropriate safetydevices.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSupplementary Restraints System E75004 E67017