Ford Explorer Hidden Features: Complete FORScan Coding Guide
Ford Explorer Hidden Features: Complete Coding Guide (2020-2025)
The 6th generation Ford Explorer (2020-2025) is packed with features Ford programmed into the computer but never gave you access to. Some are locked behind higher trim levels. Some are region-specific. And some seem to exist purely because Ford forgot to enable them.
With an OBD2 adapter and the right software, you can unlock these features yourself — no dealer visit, no parts to buy, no permanent modifications. Every change in this guide is software-reversible.
Here's every hidden feature worth enabling on your Explorer, with real module addresses and step-by-step instructions. If you're new to Ford coding, start with our beginner's guide to vehicle coding to understand how it works.
What You'll Need
- OBD2 adapter with MS-CAN support — OBDLink EX (USB, ~$70) or Vgate vLinker FS (budget, ~$30). Generic ELM327 adapters won't work. See our adapter guide for details.
- FORScan — Windows only, extended license required for writing changes (license currently suspended)
- Or OvalCode — Native Mac/Windows alternative with one-click mods (ovalcode.app/download)
- 30-45 minutes — For your first session. Subsequent changes are faster.
Rule #1: Save your as-built data before touching anything. Export every module you plan to modify. This is your undo button.
The Mods: Comfort & Convenience
1. Disable Double Honk on Lock
The problem: Your Explorer honks twice every time you lock it while remote start is active. At 6 AM in a quiet garage, it's obnoxious.
The fix: The truck still locks, the lights still flash, but no horn blast.
Module: BCM (Body Control Module)
Address: 726-43-01
Change: 01xx → 02xx
The xx represents other settings in that byte — leave them alone. Only change the first two characters.
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low — purely a notification change
2. Auto Start-Stop Memory
The problem: You turn off auto start-stop every single time you start your Explorer. It never remembers.
The fix: The truck remembers your last start-stop setting. Turn it off once and it stays off.
Module: PCM (Powertrain Control Module)
Address: 7E0-01-01
Change: 00 → 01
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low — but this is a PCM change, so double-check your backup
This is probably the most universally requested mod across all Ford vehicles. The fact that Ford makes you press a button every time you start the car to disable a feature most owners hate is baffling.
3. Seatbelt Chime Disable
What it does: Disables the seatbelt warning chime.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-34-01
Change: 01 → 00
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Yellow — affects a safety notification
Note: This doesn't disable the seatbelt warning light on the dash, just the audible chime. We recommend wearing your seatbelt regardless. This mod is most useful for low-speed situations (parking lots, private property, loading scenarios).
4. One-Touch Global Windows
What it does: Hold the unlock button on your key fob to roll all windows down. Hold lock to roll them all up.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-37-01
Change: 00 → 01
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
Essential for summer. Walk toward your Explorer, hold unlock, and let the 140°F cabin air escape before you get in. Works especially well with the Explorer's panoramic moonroof (if equipped) — some configurations allow the moonroof to vent with this feature enabled.
5. Turn Signal Tap Count
What it does: Changes how many times the turn signal blinks when you tap the stalk (not full engagement). Default is 3. Can be set to 4 or 5.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-38-02
Change: 03 → 05
Options: 03 = 3 blinks, 04 = 4 blinks, 05 = 5 blinks
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
Five blinks gives other drivers more time to notice your lane change. Small mod, practical improvement.
The Mods: Lighting
6. Ambient Lighting Enable / Expand
What it does: Enables or expands ambient interior lighting options. If your Explorer has the ambient lighting hardware (ST, Platinum, or Lux package on lower trims), this can unlock additional color options and brightness levels.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-13-01
Change: 00 → 01
Difficulty: Intermediate
Risk: Low
Prerequisite: Ambient lighting hardware must be physically present
The 2020+ Explorer's ambient lighting system supports more colors than Ford exposes in the SYNC menu. This mod unlocks the full palette. If you have the hardware but only see a few color options, this is likely your fix.
Tip: On Explorers with the 10-color ambient system, you may be able to access additional lighting zones (footwell, door map pocket, center console) that are disabled at certain trim levels.
7. Bambi Mode (Fog Lights With High Beams)
What it does: Keeps fog lights on when high beams activate.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-04-01
Change: 00 → 01
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
The Explorer's factory fog lights provide excellent near-field illumination. Combined with high beams, you get dramatically better nighttime visibility — especially useful on dark suburban streets and rural highways.
8. DRL Full Brightness
What it does: Sets daytime running lights to 100% brightness instead of the factory-dimmed level.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-02-01
Change: 50 → FF
Options: 40 = 25%, 80 = 50%, BF = 75%, FF = 100%
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
The Explorer's LED signature looks significantly better at full brightness. Also improves daytime visibility for other drivers. Start at 75% (BF) if you're unsure — you can always go higher.
9. Puddle Lights as DRL
What it does: Uses the mirror-mounted puddle lights as daytime running lights.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-06-01
Change: 00 → 01
Difficulty: Intermediate
Risk: Low
Prerequisite: LED puddle lights (ST, Platinum, or aftermarket)
A distinctive look that most people won't recognize as a mod. The side illumination also provides a practical safety benefit in intersections.
10. Approach Light Duration
What it does: Extends how long exterior lights stay on when you unlock and approach the vehicle.
Module: BCM
Address: 726-11-01
Change: 1E → 78
Options: 1E = 30 sec (stock), 3C = 60 sec, 78 = 120 sec
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
Two minutes of approach lighting makes a real difference in dark parking garages and driveways. Lights your path to the driver's door without fumbling for the flashlight on your phone.
The Mods: Display & Gauges
11. Digital Speed Display
What it does: Enables a digital speedometer in the instrument cluster.
Module: IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster)
Address: 720-01-01
Change: 00 → 01
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
Shows your exact speed in numbers alongside (or instead of) the analog gauge. Easier to read at a glance, especially if you're watching for speed traps in school zones.
12. Digital Temperature Gauges
What it does: Shows actual numerical engine and transmission temperature values instead of just gauge needles.
Module: IPC
Addresses:
- Engine temp:
720-02-01→00to01 - Transmission temp:
720-02-02→00to01
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
Actual numbers are infinitely more useful than "somewhere in the middle of the gauge." Essential if you tow with your Explorer — transmission temp is the number one thing to watch when towing.
13. Boost Gauge (EcoBoost Models)
What it does: Enables a turbo boost pressure gauge in the cluster.
Module: IPC
Address: 720-31-01
Change: 00 → 01
Prerequisite: EcoBoost engine (2.3L or 3.0L turbo)
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
If you have the 3.0L EcoBoost (ST or Platinum), watching boost pressure is both informative and entertaining. Shows real-time PSI and lets you monitor turbo health.
The Mods: Mirrors & Cameras
14. Reverse Mirror Auto-Tilt
What it does: Mirrors automatically tilt down when you shift into reverse.
Module: DDM + PDM
Addresses:
- Driver:
741-01-01→00to01 - Passenger:
742-01-01→00to01
Prerequisite: Power-adjustable mirrors
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
Shows the curb and parking lines when backing up. One of those features you'll wonder how you lived without once you have it.
15. Camera Display Delay
What it does: Keeps the backup camera on screen longer after shifting out of reverse.
Module: APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module)
Address: 7D0-03-01
Change: 03 → 0A
Options: 03 = 3 sec (stock), 05 = 5 sec, 0A = 10 sec
Difficulty: Beginner
Risk: Low
The stock 3-second delay barely gives you time to glance at the screen. Ten seconds lets you actually check your surroundings after parking. Especially useful in tight garage situations.
Explorer-Specific Tips
Trim Level Matters
The 2020+ Explorer comes in a wide range of trims (Base, XLT, Limited, ST, Platinum, King Ranch, Timberline). Higher trims have more hardware, which means more mods are possible:
- Base/XLT: Most BCM and IPC mods work. Limited ambient lighting and mirror mods (may lack hardware).
- Limited/King Ranch: Full ambient lighting capability, power mirrors, most mods available.
- ST: Everything works. The 3.0L EcoBoost unlocks boost gauge and additional performance screens.
- Platinum: Same as ST for mod compatibility, plus the premium ambient lighting system.
- Timberline: Same as XLT/Limited base, plus unique off-road modes that may have additional hidden settings.
Known Quirks
- 2020 Explorer had some early software issues. If your SYNC 3/4 firmware is outdated, update it before coding. Some mods behave unexpectedly on early firmware.
- Hybrid Explorer (2020+): The 3.3L hybrid uses different PCM addresses for some mods. Auto start-stop memory in particular may be at a different location. Proceed carefully.
- Police Interceptor Utility (PIU): If you bought a retired PIU, it may already have "Cop Mode" (secure idle) enabled. The module map is slightly different from civilian Explorers.
Doing It the Easy Way
Every mod in this guide requires navigating FORScan's module tree, finding specific hex addresses, and manually changing byte values. It works, but it's not fun — especially when you're doing 10+ mods in a session.
OvalCode simplifies this to plain English:
Instead of "BCM 726-43-01 change 01xx to 02xx," you see "Disable Double Honk Lock" with a toggle switch. Instead of remembering that FF means 100% brightness, you get a slider.
Every mod in this guide is available in OvalCode with:
- One-click application
- Automatic as-built backup before every change
- Risk-level color coding (green/yellow/red)
- Hardware prerequisite checks
- Native Mac support (no Windows VM)
If you'd rather spend your Saturday driving your Explorer than debugging hex values, get OvalCode at ovalcode.app/download.
FAQ
Do these mods work on the 2016-2019 Explorer (5th gen)?
Some do, but module addresses are different. This guide is specifically for the 2020+ (6th gen) Explorer. The 5th gen shares more architecture with the Taurus/Flex platform.
Will the dealer know I've coded my Explorer?
They can see if as-built data has been modified. For warranty purposes, it's best to restore to stock before dealer visits. All mods in this guide are fully reversible.
What if I brick something?
The mods listed here are all low-to-medium risk (BCM, IPC, DDM changes). True "bricking" is extremely rare with these modules. The bigger risk is writing incorrect values that cause unexpected behavior — which is why backups are mandatory.
Can I do all of these in one session?
Yes, but we recommend doing 2-3 mods at a time, testing each before moving on. If you batch 15 changes and something's wrong, troubleshooting becomes a nightmare.
Looking for mods on other Ford vehicles? Check out our Ford Bronco coding guide — many of these mods work similarly on the Bronco platform.
Ready to unlock your Explorer's hidden features? Get OvalCode →
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