Auxiliary Power Points
Auxiliary Power Points...............................164
Wireless Accessory Charger
What Is the Wireless Accessory Charger........................................................................166
Wireless Accessory Charger Precautions........................................................................166
Locating the Wireless Accessory Charger........................................................................166
Charging a Wireless Device.....................166
Storage Compartments
Cup Holders...................................................167
Overhead Console.......................................167
Starting and Stopping theEngine
General Information...................................168
Ignition Switch..............................................168
Keyless Starting...........................................169
Starting a Gasoline Engine......................169
Starting a Hybrid Electric Vehicle System..........................................................................172
Engine Block Heater....................................174
Unique Driving Characteristics
Auto-Start-Stop...........................................176
Hybrid Vehicle Operation - HybridElectric Vehicle (HEV)...........................178
Hybrid Vehicle Frequently AskedQuestions - Hybrid Electric Vehicle(HEV)..........................................................180
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions......................................181
Fuel Quality - E85........................................181
Fuel Quality - Gasoline..............................183
Fuel Filler Funnel Location.......................183
Running Out of Fuel...................................183
Refueling - Excluding: Hybrid ElectricVehicle (HEV)...........................................185
Refueling - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)........................................................................188
Fuel Consumption........................................191
Engine Emission Control
Emission Law................................................192
Catalytic Converter.....................................193
High Voltage Battery
General Information - Hybrid ElectricVehicle (HEV)...........................................196
Transmission
Automatic Transmission...........................197
Four-Wheel Drive
Principle of Operation...............................203
Using Four-Wheel Drive...........................203
Rear Axle
Limited Slip Differential...........................209
Brakes
General Information...................................210
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes..........................................................................211
Electric Parking Brake..................................211
Hill Start Assist.............................................213
Auto Hold........................................................214
Reverse Braking Assist
What Is Reverse Braking Assist..............216
Reverse Braking Assist Precautions......216
Switching Reverse Braking Assist On andOff..................................................................217
Overriding Reverse Braking Assist.........217
Reverse Braking Assist Indicators..........217
Reverse Braking Assist –Troubleshooting.......................................218
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingTable of Contents
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
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingTable of Contents
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what iscovered by your New Vehicle LimitedWarranty, see your warranty guide that isavailable online. For more information,refer to our website and download yourcopy of the warranty guide.
Special Instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fittedwith sophisticated electronic controls.
WARNING: You risk death orserious injury to yourself and others if youdo not follow the instruction highlightedby the warning symbol. Failure to followthe specific warnings and instructionscould result in personal injury.
WARNING: NEVER use a rearwardfacing child restraint on a seat protectedby an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it,DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILDcan occur.
On Board Diagnostics Data LinkConnector
WARNING: Do not connectwireless plug-in devices to the data linkconnector. Unauthorized third partiescould gain access to vehicle data andimpair the performance of safety relatedsystems. Only allow repair facilities thatfollow our service and repair instructionsto connect their equipment to the datalink connector.
Your vehicle has an OBD Data LinkConnector (DLC) that is used inconjunction with a diagnostic scan tool forvehicle diagnostics, repairs andreprogramming services. Installing anaftermarket device that uses the DLCduring normal driving for purposes such asremote insurance company monitoring,transmission of vehicle data to otherdevices or entities, or altering theperformance of the vehicle, may causeinterference with or even damage tovehicle systems. We do not recommendor endorse the use of unapprovedaftermarket plug-in devices. The vehicleWarranty will not cover damage causedby an aftermarket plug-in device.
Notice to Owners of Pickup Trucksand Utility Type Vehicles
WARNING: Utility vehicles have asignificantly higher rollover rate thanother types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please readthis Owner’s Guide carefully. Your vehicleis not a passenger car. As with othervehicles of this type, failure to operate thisvehicle correctly may result in loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury or death.
Using Your Vehicle With aSnowplow
Do not use this vehicle forsnowplowing.
Your vehicle does not have a snowplowingpackage.
Using Your Vehicle as anAmbulance
Do not use this vehicle as anambulance.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingIntroduction
AT A GLANCE - ST
Exterior
•Front and rear fascias feature uniqueST grille and unique finish.
•ST badging in front grille and on rearliftgate.
•Trim features unique ST gloss blackfinish.
•E-X-P-L-O-R-E-R lettering acrosshood.
•Blackout treatment on headlight andtaillight lenses.
Interior
•Unique ST interior trim.
•Ford Performance sill plates.
•ST flat-bottom steering wheel withintegrated transmission shift paddlecontrols.
•Selectable Drive Mode controller with7 settings (Normal, Eco, Sport, Trail,Slippery, Deep Snow/Sand andTow/Haul).
•Unique electronic sound enhancementin Sport Selectable Drive Mode.
Chassis
•Unique ST-tuned suspension featuring32 N/mm front coil springs and a 34mm hollow front stabilizer bar and 106N/mm rear coil springs and a 21.7 mmhollow rear stabilizer bar.
•Standard ST brake system consists of345 mm diameter vented front rotorswith two piston calipers and low-dustlinings; 326 mm solid rear rotors withsingle-piston brake calipers andelectric integrated park brake with lowdust linings.
•Optional ST braking system includes363 mm diameter vented front rotorswith heavy duty two-piston calipersand low-dust linings; 350 mm diametervented rear rotors with heavy-dutysingle-piston brake calipers andelectric integrated park brake withlow-dust linings; system requires 21 x9-inch wheels and P275/45R21all-season tires.
•Optional low-metallic brake linings areincluded with optional P275/45R21summer tire (late availability).
•ST-tuned electric power assist steeringrack and pinion.
•AdvanceTrac with stabilityenhancement system with four modes:Default, Traction Control Off, Sport andDisabled.
•Aluminum ST 20 in (50.8 cm) x 8.5 in(21.6 cm) wheels standard; 21 in(53.3 cm) x 9 in (22.9 cm) wheelsoptional.
•P255/55R20 all-season tires oroptional P275/45R21 all-season tires.
Powertrain
•3.0L V6 DOHC GTDI engine, 400horsepower, 415 lb-ft.
•10R60 10-speed automatictransmission with SelectShift manualshift mode.
•3.58 axle ratios.
•Unique transmission calibration inSport Selectable Drive Mode.
•Dual exhaust with quad-tip outlets.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingAt a Glance
Seatbelt fastened.A
Seatbelt not fastened.B
Seatbelt recently unfastened.C
FaultD
Deactivating and Activating theBelt-Minder Feature - Front outermostseats only
WARNING: While the systemallows you to deactivate it, this systemis designed to improve your chances ofbeing safely belted and surviving anaccident. We recommend you leave thesystem activated for yourself and otherswho may use the vehicle.
Note:The driver and front passengerwarnings switch on and off independently.When you perform this procedure for oneseating position, do not buckle the otherposition as this terminates the process.
Read Steps 1 - 4 before starting theprocedure.
Make sure that:
•You set the parking brake.
•The transmission is in park (P).
•The ignition is off.
•You close all vehicle doors.
•You unbuckle the driver and frontpassenger seatbelts.
1.Switch the ignition on. Do not start theengine.
2.Wait until the seatbelt warning lampturns off (about one minute). AfterStep 2, wait an additional five secondsbefore proceeding with Step 3. Onceyou start Step 3, you must completethe procedure within 60 seconds.
3.For the seating position you areswitching off, buckle then unbuckle theseatbelt three times at a moderatespeed, ending in the unbuckled state.After Step 3, the seatbelt warning lampturns on.
4.When the seatbelt warning lamp is on,buckle then unbuckle the seatbelt.After Step 4, the seatbelt warning lampflashes for confirmation.
•This switches the feature off if it iscurrently on.
•This switches the feature on if it iscurrently off.
CHILD RESTRAINT AND
SEATBELT MAINTENANCE
Inspect the vehicle seatbelts and childsafety seat systems periodically to makesure they work properly and are notdamaged. Inspect the vehicle and childrestraint seatbelts to make sure there areno nicks, tears or cuts. Replace ifnecessary. All vehicle seatbelt assemblies,including retractors, buckles, front seatbeltbuckle assemblies, buckle supportassemblies (slide bar-if equipped),shoulder belt height adjusters (ifequipped), shoulder belt guide on seatbackrest (if equipped), child safety seatLATCH and tether anchors, and attachinghardware, should be inspected after acrash. Read the child restraintmanufacturer's instructions for additionalinspection and maintenance informationspecific to the child restraint.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingSeatbeltsE274703
Car Finder
Press the button twice withinthree seconds. The horn soundsand the direction indicatorsflash. We recommend you use this methodto locate your vehicle, rather than usingthe panic alarm.
Sounding the Panic Alarm
Press the button to sound thepanic alarm. Press the buttonagain or switch the ignition on toturn it off.
Note:The panic alarm only operates whenthe ignition is off.
Remote Start (If Equipped)
WARNING: Do not start the enginein a closed garage or in other enclosedareas. Exhaust fumes are toxic. Alwaysopen the garage door before you startthe engine. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
The remote start button is on theremote control.
This feature allows you to start yourvehicle from the outside. Your remotecontrol has an extended operating range.
If your vehicle has automatic climatecontrol, you can configure it to operatewhen you remote start your vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 137).A manualclimate control system runs at the settingit was set to when you switched yourvehicle off.
Many states and provinces haverestrictions for the use of remote start.
Check your local and state or provinciallaws for specific requirements regardingremote start systems.
The system does not work if:
•The ignition is on.
•The anti-theft alarm triggers.
•You disable the feature.
•The hood is open.
•The transmission is not in park (P).
•The battery voltage is below theminimum operating voltage.
•The service engine soon light is on.
Note: Do not use remote start if your fuellevel is low.
Remote Control Feedback (IfEquipped)
An LED on the remote control providesstatus feedback of remote start or stopcommands.
StatusLED
Remote startsuccessfulSolid green
Remote stopsuccessfulSolid red
Request failed orstatus not receivedBlinking red
Status incompleteBlinking green
Remote Starting Your Vehicle
Note: You must press each button withinthree seconds of each other. If you do notfollow this sequence, your vehicle does notstart remotely, the direction indicators donot flash twice and the horn does not sound.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingKeys and Remote ControlsE138623 E138624 E138625
When you open one of the front doors andlock your vehicle with the power door lockcontrol, all the doors lock then unlock andthe horn sounds twice if the key is still inthe ignition.
You can still lock your vehicle with the keyin the ignition by either:
•Using the keyless entry keypad with thedriver door closed.
•Pressing the lock button on the remotecontrol even if you have not closed thedoors.
If both front doors close, you can lock yourvehicle by any method, regardless ofwhether the key is in the ignition or not.
Smart Unlocks for IntelligentAccess Keys (If Equipped)
This helps to prevent you from locking yourkey inside the passenger compartment orrear cargo area.
When you electronically lock your vehiclewith any door open, the transmission inpark (P) and the ignition off, the systemsearches for an intelligent access key inthe passenger compartment after youclose the last door.
If the system finds a key, all the doorsimmediately unlock and the horn soundstwice, indicating that a key is inside.
You can override the smart unlock featureand intentionally lock the intelligent accesskey inside your vehicle.
To override smart unlock, lock your vehicleafter you have closed all the doors by:
•Using the keyless entry keypad.
•Pressing the lock button on anotherintelligent access key.
•Touching the locking area on the frontof the door handle with anotherintelligent access key in your hand.
When you open one of the front doors andlock your vehicle using the power door lockcontrol, all doors lock, then unlock if:
•The ignition is on.
•The ignition is off and the transmissionis not in park (P).
Autolock (If Equipped)
Autolock locks all the doors when thefollowing occur:
•All doors close.
•The ignition is on.
•You shift into any gear putting yourvehicle in motion.
•Your vehicle reaches a speed greaterthan 12 mph (20 km/h).
Autolock repeats when:
•You open then close any door whenthe ignition is on and your vehicle speedis 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower.
•Your vehicle reaches a speed greaterthan 12 mph (20 km/h).
Autounlock
Autounlock unlocks all the doors when thefollowing occur:
•You stop your vehicle, place the gearselector in park (P), and switch theignition off or to accessory position.
•You open the driver door within 10minutes of switching the ignition off orto accessory position.
Note:The doors do not autounlock if youelectronically lock your vehicle after youswitch the ignition off and before you openthe driver door.
Enabling or Disabling Autounlock
You can enable or disable the autounlockin the information display or an authorizeddealer can do it for you. See GeneralInformation (page 115).
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingDoors and Locks
POWER LIFTGATE
WARNING: It is extremelydangerous to ride in a cargo area, insideor outside of a vehicle. In a crash, peopleriding in these areas are more likely to beseriously injured or killed. Do not allowpeople to ride in any area of your vehiclethat is not equipped with seats andseatbelts. Make sure everyone in yourvehicle is in a seat and properly using aseatbelt. Failure to follow this warningcould result in serious personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Make sure that you fullyclose the liftgate to prevent exhaustfumes from entering your vehicle. If youare unable to fully close the liftgate,open the air vents or the windows toallow fresh air to enter your vehicle.Failure to follow this instruction couldresult in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Keep keys out of reachof children. Do not allow children tooperate or play near an open or movingpower liftgate. You should supervise theoperation of the power liftgate at alltimes.
Note: Make sure that you close the liftgatebefore operating or moving your vehicle,especially in an enclosure, like a garage ora parking structure. This could damage theliftgate and its components.
Note: Do not hang anything, for examplea bike rack, from the glass or liftgate. Thiscould damage the liftgate and itscomponents.
Note:Make sure that you fully close theliftgate to prevent cargo from falling out.
The liftgate only operates with thetransmission in park (P).
If there is a problem with the open or closerequest, a tone sounds for one of thefollowing reasons:
•The ignition is on and the transmissionis not in park (P).
•The battery voltage is below theminimum operating voltage.
•The liftgate is not fully closed and yourvehicle speed is at or above 3 mph(5 km/h).
If the liftgate starts to close after it hasfully opened, this indicates there may beexcessive weight on the liftgate or apossible strut failure. A repetitive tonesounds and the liftgate closes undercontrol. If the liftgate continues to closeafter opening, have the system checkedby an authorized dealer. Remove anyexcessive weight from the liftgate.
Opening and Closing the Liftgate
WARNING: Make sure all personsare clear of the power liftgate areabefore using the power liftgate control.
Note: Make sure the area behind yourvehicle is free from obstruction and thatthere is enough room for you to operate theliftgate. Objects too close to your vehicle,for example a wall, garage door or anothervehicle may come into contact with themoving liftgate. This could damage theliftgate and its components.
Note:Be careful when opening or closingthe liftgate in a garage or other enclosedarea to avoid damaging the liftgate.
Note: Do not leave the liftgate open whenyou are driving. This could damage theliftgate and its components.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingLiftgate