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
GENERAL INFORMATION
See the following sections for directionson how to properly use safety restraintsfor children.
WARNING: Always make sure yourchild is secured properly in a device thatis appropriate for their height, age andweight. Child safety restraints must bebought separately from your vehicle.Failure to follow these instructions andguidelines may result in an increased riskof serious injury or death to your child.
WARNING: All children are shapeddifferently. The National Highway TrafficSafety Administration and other safetyorganizations, base theirrecommendations for child restraints onprobable child height, age and weightthresholds, or on the minimumrequirements of the law. We recommendthat you check with a NHTSA CertifiedChild Passenger Safety Technician
(CPST) to make sure that you properlyinstall the child restraint in your vehicleand that you consult your pediatrician tomake sure you have a child restraintappropriate for your child. To locate achild restraint fitting station and CPST,contact NHTSA toll free at1-888-327-4236 or go towww.nhtsa.dot.gov. In Canada, contactTransport Canada toll free at1-800-333-0371 or go to www.tc.gc.cato find a Child Car Seat Clinic in yourarea. Failure to properly restrain childrenin child restraints made especially fortheir height, age and weight, may resultin an increased risk of serious injury ordeath to your child.
WARNING: On hot days, thetemperature inside the vehicle can risevery quickly. Exposure of people oranimals to these high temperatures foreven a short time can cause death orserious heat related injuries, includingbrain damage. Small children areparticularly at risk.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingChild Safety
Recommendations for Safety Restraints for Children
Recommended RestraintTypeChild Size, Height, Weight, or AgeChild
Use a child restraint(sometimes called aninfant carrier, convertibleseat, or toddler seat).
Children weighing 40 lb (18 kg) or less(generally age four or younger).Infants ortoddlers
Use a belt-positioningbooster seat.
Children who have outgrown or no longerproperly fit in a child restraint (generallychildren who are less than 57 in (1.45 m)tall, are greater than age four and lessthan age 12, and between 40 lb (18 kg)and 80 lb (36 kg) and upward to 100 lb(45 kg) if recommended by your childrestraint manufacturer).
Small children
Use a vehicle seatbelthaving the lap belt snugand low across the hips,shoulder belt centeredacross the shoulder andchest, and seat backrestupright.
Children who have outgrown or no longerproperly fit in a belt-positioning boosterseat (generally children who are at least57 in (1.45 m) tall or greater than 80 lb(36 kg) or 100 lb (45 kg) if recommendedby child restraint manufacturer).
Larger children
•You are required by law to properly usechild restraints for infants and toddlersin the United States, Canada andMexico.
•Many states and provinces require thatsmall children use approved boosterseats until they reach age eight, aheight of 57 in (1.45 m) tall, or 80 lb(36 kg). Check your local and state orprovincial laws for specificrequirements about the safety ofchildren in your vehicle.
•When possible, properly restrainchildren 12 years of age and under in arear seating position of your vehicle.Accident statistics suggest thatchildren are safer when properlyrestrained in the rear seating positionsthan in a front seating position. SeeFront Passenger Sensing System(page 48).
•When installing a rear facing childrestraint, adjust the vehicle seats toavoid interference between the childrestraint and the vehicle seat in frontof the child restraint.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingChild Safety
5.To put the retractor in the automaticlocking mode, grasp the shoulderportion of the belt and pull downwarduntil you pull all of the belt out.
Note:The automatic locking mode isavailable on the front passenger and rearseats.
6.Allow the belt to retract to removeslack. The belt clicks as it retracts toindicate it is in the automatic lockingmode.
7.Try to pull the belt out of the retractorto make sure the retractor is in theautomatic locking mode. You shouldnot be able to pull more belt out. If theretractor did not lock, unbuckle the beltand repeat Steps 5 and 6.
8.Remove remaining slack from the belt.Force the seat down with extra weight,for example, by pressing down orkneeling on the child restraint as youpull up on the shoulder belt to forceslack from the belt. This is necessaryto remove the remaining slack thatexists once you add the extra weightof the child to the child restraint. It alsohelps to achieve the proper snugnessof the child restraint to your vehicle.Sometimes, a slight lean toward thebuckle provides extra help to removeremaining slack from the belt.
9.If the child restraint has a tether strap,attach it now.
10.Before placing the child in the seat,forcibly move the seat forward andback to make sure you have the seatsecurely held in place. To check this,grab the seat at the belt path andattempt to move it side to side andforward and back. There should beno more than 1 in (2.5 cm) ofmovement for proper installation.
We recommend checking with a NHTSACertified Child Passenger SafetyTechnician to make sure you properlyinstalled the child restraint. In Canada,check with Transport Canada for referralto a Child Car Seat Clinic.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingChild SafetyE142875 E142533 E142534
If the booster seat slides on the vehicleseat upon which it is being used, placing arubberized mesh sold as shelf or carpetliner under the booster seat may improvethis condition. Do not introduce any itemthicker than this under the booster seat.Check with the booster seatmanufacturer's instructions.
CHILD RESTRAINT
POSITIONING
WARNING: Do not place arearward facing child restraint in front ofan active airbag. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
WARNING: Properly securechildren 12 years old and under in a rearseating position whenever possible. Ifyou are unable to properly secure allchildren in a rear seating position,properly secure the largest child on thefront seat. If you must use a forwardfacing child restraint on the front seat,move the seat as far back as possible.Failure to follow these instructions couldresult in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Always carefully followthe instructions and warnings providedby the manufacturer of any childrestraint to determine if the restraintdevice is appropriate for your child's size,height, weight, or age. Follow the childrestraint manufacturer's instructions andwarnings provided for installation anduse in conjunction with the instructions
and warnings provided by your vehiclemanufacturer. A safety seat that isimproperly installed or utilized, isinappropriate for your child's height, age,or weight or does not properly fit thechild may increase the risk of seriousinjury or death.
WARNING: Do not allow apassenger to hold a child on their lapwhen your vehicle is moving. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death in the event of asudden stop or crash.
WARNING: Do not use pillows,books or towels to boost your child'sheight. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Properly secure childrestraints or booster seats when they arenot in use. They could become projectilesin a sudden stop or crash. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: Do not put the shouldersection of the seatbelt or allow the childto put the shoulder section of theseatbelt under their arm or behind theirback. Failure to follow this instructioncould reduce the effectiveness of theseatbelt and increase the risk of injury ordeath in a crash.
WARNING: Do not leave childrenor pets unattended in your vehicle.Failure to follow this instruction couldresult in personal injury or death.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingChild Safety
Recommendations for Attaching Child Safety Restraints for Children
Use Any Attachment Method as Indicated Below by X
CombinedWeight ofChild andChildRestraint
RestraintType
SeatbeltOnlySeatbeltand LATCH(LowerAnchorsand TopTetherAnchor)
Seatbeltand TopTetherAnchor
LATCH(LowerAnchorsOnly)
LATCH(LowerAnchorsand TopTetherAnchor)
XXUp to 65 lb(29.5 kg)
Rear facingchildrestraint
XOver 65 lb(29.5 kg)
Rear facingchildrestraint
XXXUp to 65 lb(29.5 kg)
Forwardfacingchildrestraint
XXOver 65 lb(29.5 kg)
Forwardfacingchildrestraint
Note:The child restraint must rest tightlyagainst the vehicle seat upon which it isinstalled. It may be necessary to lift orremove the head restraint. See Seats (page144).
CHILD SAFETY LOCKS
WARNING: You cannot open therear doors from inside if you have put thechild safety locks on.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingChild Safety
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
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