Ford Explorer: Climate Control / Automatic Climate Control

Note: Depending on your vehicle option package, the controls may look different from what you see here.

Note: You can switch temperature units between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Note: You can control some of the climate features through the touchscreen.

Note: For Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) vehicles, the air conditioning compressor may run, and you may feel airflow when the climate control is off to provide cooling to the battery.

Accessing the Air Distribution Controls

Press and release the button to activate the selection screen.

From the screen, switch directed air from the windshield, instrument panel or footwell vents on or off. You can direct air through any combination of these vents. See Climate.

Accessing the Menu

Press and release the button to access different climate features.

Smart Zone - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

If there is not an occupant in the front passenger seat, the climate control system may default to single zone to improve fuel economy, if you were previously in dual zone operation. When this occurs, dual zone turns off and the passenger set point changes to match the driver set point.

Press the dual zone button on the touchscreen or adjust the passenger set point normally to use dual zone operation without a passenger present. The system remains in dual zone operation until you switch the vehicle off.

You can disable or re-enable the Smart Zone feature by pressing and holding the dual zone button on the touchscreen. Both set point displays begin flashing to signify when the feature disables. The system returns to previous state after you release the dual zone button.

Accessing Rear Climate Controls

Press and release the button to access additional controls for the rear climate system.

Setting the Blower Motor Speed

Press and release + or - to adjust the volume of air circulated in the vehicle.

Setting the Temperature

Press the toggle button on the left-hand side of the climate control upward or downward to set the left-hand temperature.

Note: This control also adjusts the right-hand side temperature when you switch off dual zone mode.

Press the toggle button on the right-hand side of the climate control upward or downward to set the right-hand temperature.

Switching Auto Mode On and Off

Press and release the button to switch on automatic operation. Repeatedly press the button to adjust auto mode.

The system adjusts the blower motor speed, air distribution, air conditioning operation, and outside or recirculated air to reach and maintain the temperature you have set.

Under high humidity conditions, the system adjusts the blower motor speed, air distribution and air conditioning operation to reduce window fogging.

Note: The system starts at the previous setting when you switch on AUTO mode.

Note: You can also switch off dual zone mode by pressing and holding the button for more than two seconds.

Auto Mode Indicator Status

Switching the Air Conditioning On and Off

Press and release the button.

Use air conditioning with recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency.

Note: In certain conditions, for example, maximum defrost, the air conditioning compressor may continue to operate even though you switch off the air conditioning.

Note: The A/C LED light may turn on and off based on the temperature setting or the current conditions.

Switching the Climate Control On and Off

Press and release the button.

Switching Maximum Air Conditioning On and Off

Press and release the button for maximum cooling.

The driver and passenger temperatures are set to LO, recirculated air flows through the instrument panel air vents, air conditioning turns on and the blower motor adjusts to the highest speed.

Switching Maximum Defrost On and Off

Press and release the button for maximum defrosting.

The driver and passenger temperatures are set to HI, air flows through the windshield air vents, and the blower motor adjusts to the highest speed.

Note: Depending on your region, air conditioning turns on.

You can also use this setting to defog and clear the windshield of a thin covering of ice.

Note: To prevent window fogging, you cannot select recirculated air when maximum defrost is on.

Note: The heated rear window also turns on when you select maximum defrost.

Switching Recirculated Air On and Off

Press and release the button to switch between outside air and recirculated air.

The air currently in the passenger compartment recirculates. This may reduce the time needed to cool the interior, when used with A/C, and reduce unwanted odors from entering your vehicle.

Note: Recirculated air may turn off, or prevent you from switching on, in all air flow modes except MAX A/C to reduce the risk of fogging. Recirculation may also turn on and off in various air distribution control combinations during hot weather to improve cooling efficiency.