Drive Mode Control
What Is Drive Mode Control....................273
How Does Drive Mode Control Work.........................................................................273
Selecting a Drive Mode.............................273
Drive Modes...................................................273
Load Carrying
General Information...................................275
Rear Under Floor Storage........................275
Cargo Nets.....................................................276
Roof Racks and Load Carriers................276
Load Limit.......................................................277
Towing
Towing a Trailer...........................................283
Trailer Sway Control..................................284
Recommended Towing Weights..........284
Essential Towing Checks.........................285
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels.....287
Driving Hints
Reduced Engine Performance..............288
Cold Weather Precautions......................288
Breaking-In...................................................288
Driving Economically................................288
Driving Through Shallow Water............289
Floor Mats.....................................................289
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance..................................291
Hazard Flashers...........................................292
Fuel Shutoff..................................................292
Jump Starting the Vehicle.......................293
Collision, Damage or Fire Event............295
Post-Crash Alert System.........................296
Transporting the Vehicle.........................296
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need.............298
In California (U.S. Only)...........................299
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) AutoLine Program (U.S. Only)....................300
Utilizing the Mediation/ArbitrationProgram (Canada Only).......................301
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. andCanada........................................................301
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature........................................................................303
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)........................................................................303
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)........................................................................303
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart.........................305
Changing a Fuse...........................................313
Maintenance
General Information...................................315
Opening and Closing the Hood..............315
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™.........................................................................316
Under Hood Overview - 3.0L...................317
Under Hood Overview - 3.3L...................318
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™.........................................................................319
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.0L.........................319
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.3L..........................319
Engine Oil Check..........................................319
Oil Change Indicator Reset.....................320
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 2.3LEcoBoost™................................................321
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.0L........................................................................322
Changing the Engine Air Filter - 3.3L....323
Engine Coolant Check..............................324
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check........................................................................328
Brake Fluid Check.......................................328
6
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingTable of Contents
Brake fluid - non petroleumbased
Brake system
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
Electric Parking brake
Engine air filter
Engine coolant
Engine coolant temperature
Engine oil
Explosive gas
Fan warning
Fasten seatbelt
Flammable
Front fog lamps
Fuel pump reset
Fuse compartment
Hazard flashers
Headlamp high beams
Headlamps on
Heated rear window
Hill descent control
Horn control
Interior luggage compartmentrelease
Jack
10
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingIntroductionE139209 E67024 E270480 E139223 E139211 E141128 E332905 E139219 E139212 E103308 E67022 E139221 E139228 E71880 E231160 E139214 E75790 E67019 E270968 E163171 E270945 E139231
On (white light): Illuminates when youswitch on the adaptive cruise controlsystem. Turns off when you switch thecruise control system off.
Engaged (green light): Illuminates whenyou engage the adaptive cruise controlsystem. Turns off when you disengage thecruise control system.
Anti-Lock Braking System
If it illuminates when you aredriving, this indicates a systemerror. You continue to have thenormal braking (without ABS) unless thebrake system warning lamp alsoilluminates. Have the system checked.
Automatic High Beam Control
Illuminates when this feature ison. See What Is AutomaticHigh Beam Control (page 92).
Auto Hold Active
Illuminates when the systemholds your vehicle stationary.
Auto Hold Unavailable
Illuminates when the system ison, but unavailable to hold yourvehicle stationary.
Auto Start-stop (If Equipped)
Illuminates when the engineshuts down or in conjunctionwith a message.
Battery
If it illuminates while driving, itindicates a system error.Immediately switch off allunnecessary electrical equipment andhave the system checked.
Blind Spot Monitor
Illuminates when you switch thisfeature off or in conjunction witha message. See Blind SpotInformation System (page 259).
Brake System Warning Lamp
WARNING: Driving your vehiclewith the warning lamp on is dangerous.A significant decrease in brakingperformance may occur. It may take youlonger to stop your vehicle. Have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible.Driving extended distances with theparking brake engaged can cause brakefailure and the risk of personal injury.
Note:Indicators vary depending on region.
This lamp is a dual function lamp andilluminates when:
•You apply the parking brake with theignition on.
•Your vehicle has a brake fault or lowbrake fluid level, regardless of parkingbrake position.
If the lamp illuminates when youare moving, you may have theparking brake applied. Make surethe parking brake is off. Haveyour vehicle checked as soon aspossible if the lamp continues toilluminate.
106
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingInstrument ClusterE67020 E146105 E197933 E322410 E197934 E322411 E121377 E67021 E151262 E270480 E67024
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
Illuminates when you switch thisfeature on.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when you switch onthe left or right directionindicator or the hazard flasher. Ifthe indicators stay on or flash faster, checkfor a burned out bulb. See Changing aBulb (page 337).
Door Ajar
Illuminates when the ignition ison and any door is notcompletely closed.
Electric Park Brake
Note:Indicators vary depending on region.
Illuminates or flashes when theelectric parking brake has asystem error. See ElectricParking Brake (page 211).
Engine or Motor CoolantTemperature
Illuminates when your vehiclecoolant temperature is high.Stop your vehicle as soon aspossible, switch off your vehicle and let itcool. See Engine Coolant Check (page324).
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the enginerunning or when you are driving,this indicates a system error.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe todo so and switch the engine off. Check theengine oil level. See Engine Oil Check(page 319).
Note:Do not resume your journey if itilluminates despite the level being correct.Immediately have the system checked.
Fasten Seatbelt
Illuminates and a tone soundsto remind you to fasten yourseatbelt. See SeatbeltReminder (page 42).
Fasten Rear Seatbelt
Illuminates and a tone soundsto signal the rear seatbelts arenot fastened.
Front Airbag
If it does not illuminate when youswitch the ignition on, continuesto flash or remains on when theengine is running, this indicates amalfunction. Have your vehicle checkedas soon as possible.
Front Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
Illuminates when you switch thefront fog lamps on.
High Beam
Illuminates when you switch thehigh beam headlamps on. Itflashes when you use theheadlamp flasher.
107
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingInstrument ClusterE71340 E67018 E146190 E67024 E103308 E67022 E71880 E206718 E67017 E67019
Lane Keeping System
ActionMessage
The system has malfunctioned. Have the system checked as soonas possible.Lane Keeping Sys.MalfunctionService Required
The system has detected a condition that has caused the systemto be temporarily unavailable.Front CameraTemporarily NotAvailable
The system has detected a condition that requires the windshieldto be cleaned to operate properly.Front Camera LowVisibility CleanScreen
The system has malfunctioned. Have the system checked as soonas possible.Front CameraMalfunctionService Required
The system requests the driver to keep their hands on the steeringwheel.Keep Hands onSteering Wheel
Maintenance
ActionMessage
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 aspossible.
Low Engine OilPressure
The engine oil life is low and needs to be changed soon.Change Engine OilSoon
The engine oil life is low and needs to be changed immediately.Oil ChangeRequired
The brake fluid level is low and the brake system should beinspected immediately. See Brake Fluid Check (page 328).Brake Fluid LevelLow
The brake system needs servicing. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.Contact an authorized dealer.Check BrakeSystem
The engine coolant temperature is excessively high.Engine CoolantOver Temperature
The washer fluid is low and needs to be refilled.Washer Fluid LevelLow
127
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingInformation Displays
EMISSION LAW
WARNING: Do not remove or alterthe original equipment floor covering orinsulation between it and the metal floorof the vehicle. The floor covering andinsulation protect occupants of thevehicle from the engine and exhaustsystem heat and noise. On vehicles withno original equipment floor coveringinsulation, do not carry passengers in amanner that permits prolonged skincontact with the metal floor. Failure tofollow these instructions may result infire or personal injury.
U.S. federal laws and certain state lawsprohibit removing or rendering inoperativeemission control system components.Similar federal or provincial laws mayapply in Canada. We do not approve of anyvehicle modification without firstdetermining applicable laws.
Tampering with emissionscontrol systems includingrelated sensors or the DieselExhaust Fluid system can result in reducedengine power and the illumination of theservice engine soon light.
Tampering With a Noise ControlSystem
Federal laws prohibit the following acts:
•Removal or rendering inoperative byany person other than for purposes ofmaintenance.
•Repair or replacement of any device orelement of the design incorporated intoa new vehicle for the purpose of noisecontrol prior to its sale or delivery tothe ultimate purchaser or while it is inuse.
•The use of the vehicle after any personremoves or renders inoperative anydevice or element of the design.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencymay presume to constitute tampering asfollows:
•Removal of hood blanket, fender apronabsorbers, fender apron barriers,underbody noise shields or acousticallyabsorptive material.
•Tampering or rendering inoperative theengine speed governor, to allow enginespeed to exceed manufacturerspecifications.
If the engine does not start, runs rough,experiences a decrease in engineperformance, experiences excess fuelconsumption or produces excessiveexhaust smoke, check for the following:
•A plugged or disconnected air inletsystem hose.
•A plugged engine air filter element.
•Water in the fuel filter and waterseparator.
•A clogged fuel filter.
•Contaminated fuel.
•Air in the fuel system, due to looseconnections.
•An open or pinched sensor hose.
•Incorrect engine oil level.
192
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingEngine Emission ControlE67028
•Incorrect fuel for climatic conditions.
•Incorrect engine oil viscosity forclimactic conditions.
Note:Some vehicles have a lifetime fuelfilter that is integrated with the fuel tank.Regular maintenance or replacement is notneeded.
Note:If these checks do not help youcorrect the concern, have your vehiclechecked as soon as possible.
Noise Emissions Warranty,Prohibited Tampering Acts andMaintenance
On January 1, 1978, Federal regulationbecame effective governing the noiseemission on trucks over 10,000 lb(4,536 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating(GVWR). The preceding statementsconcerning prohibited tampering acts andmaintenance, and the noise warrantyfound in the Warranty Guide, areapplicable to complete chassis cabs over10,000 lb (4,536 kg) GVWR.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WARNING: Do not park, idle ordrive your vehicle on dry grass or otherdry ground cover. The emission systemheats up the engine compartment andexhaust system, creating the risk of fire.
WARNING: The normal operatingtemperature of the exhaust system isvery high. Never work around or attemptto repair any part of the exhaust systemuntil it has cooled. Use special care whenworking around the catalytic converter.The catalytic converter heats up to a veryhigh temperature after only a shortperiod of engine operation and stays hotafter the engine is switched off.
WARNING: Exhaust leaks mayresult in entry of harmful and potentiallylethal fumes into the passengercompartment. If you smell exhaustfumes inside your vehicle, have yourvehicle inspected immediately. Do notdrive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle has various emission controlcomponents and a catalytic converter thatenables it to comply with applicableexhaust emission standards.
To make sure that the catalytic converterand other emission control componentscontinue to work properly:
•Do not crank the engine for more than10 seconds at a time.
•Do not run the engine with a spark pluglead disconnected.
•Do not push-start or tow-start yourvehicle. Use booster cables. See JumpStarting the Vehicle (page 293).
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Do not switch the ignition off when yourvehicle is moving.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Have the items listed in scheduledmaintenance information performedaccording to the specified schedule.
Note:Resulting component damage maynot be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
The scheduled maintenance items listedin scheduled maintenance information areessential to the life and performance ofyour vehicle and to its emissions system.
If you use anything other than Ford,Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts formaintenance replacements or for serviceof components affecting emission control,such non-Ford parts should be equivalentto genuine Ford Motor Company parts inperformance and durability.
193
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingEngine Emission Control
5.Support the hood with the prop rod.
Closing the Hood
WARNING: Make sure that you fullylatch the hood before driving. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
1.Remove the prop rod from the catchand secure it correctly in the clip.
2.Lower the hood and allow it to dropunder its own weight for the last10–14 in (25–35 cm).
Note:Make sure that the hood is correctlyclosed.
UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW - 2.3L ECOBOOST™
Battery. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 329).A
Engine oil filler cap. See Engine Oil Check (page 319).B
316
2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingMaintenanceE318379 E357684