New Owner of a 25 ST with 2 Miles :)

[Grey25ST]

Like how most stories begin, my wife and I have been looking at STs for a while now. We wanted Grey, RWD, S&S Pkg, & Flat tire Kit. Over a 3 week span, inventory and pricing wasn't aligning to our desires. Ended up at Keith Ford in Belmont, NC sitting down with a 25 Grey ST AWD with 2 miles on it. Just landed on the lot that morning and didn't move since. Over some lovely negotiations, we reached a fair deal.

Generally speaking, I only buy new cars. Been an auto enthusiast since I learned to drive and change oil. Overall, I am okay with the build quality of Ford. I spent 2 days cleaning from top to bottom and only found 3 defects... unfortunately, none of which are really repairable or worth the fuss. The glue & lube from the Sunroof really has been a PITA to deal with, but surprisingly, claybar took care of it. I've spent some time on the forum but not much.. got some questions.

1) Could Forscan enable the trunk hands free activation feature?

2) Is there a well detailed tutorial on how to do through Forscan? Its been about 6 years since I last did it and need a major crash course.

3) I saw somewhere folks advertised the oil pump mechanism for oil changes. Previously, I would change my oil and rotate my tires together. Is that not the norm with this platform?

4) What type of octane do yall recommend for normal city driving? I drive like a grandpa generally speaking so very rarely will I be dogging this car... and I have 998 miles to go for break-in

5) Any protection items I should buy for the car? Are mud flaps a thing? I didn't buy them on my Camaro initially and paid the price.

6) I've been through the interior and exterior quite a bit during the cleaning process, should I look at the engine or underneath at all for anything in particular?

7) Any tips on how to get the roof cleaned and detailed easily? Being 5'8", I aint tall or lanky enough to detail the whole ceiling

I'm looking forward for this car to have its warranty expire as I will be modifying the car extensively after that

 

[Blue Beast]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[23 Explorer ST]

Like how most stories begin, my wife and I have been looking at STs for a while now. We wanted Grey, RWD, S&S Pkg, & Flat tire Kit. Over a 3 week span, inventory and pricing wasn't aligning to our desires. Ended up at Keith Ford in Belmont, NC sitting down with a 25 Grey ST AWD with 2 miles on it. Just landed on the lot that morning and didn't move since. Over some lovely negotiations, we reached a fair deal.

Generally speaking, I only buy new cars. Been an auto enthusiast since I learned to drive and change oil. Overall, I am okay with the build quality of Ford. I spent 2 days cleaning from top to bottom and only found 3 defects... unfortunately, none of which are really repairable or worth the fuss. The glue & lube from the Sunroof really has been a PITA to deal with, but surprisingly, claybar took care of it. I've spent some time on the forum but not much.. got some questions.

1) Could Forscan enable the hands free activation feature of the truck?

2) Is there a well detailed tutorial on how to do through Forscan? Its been about 6 years since I last did it and need a major crash course.

3) I saw somewhere folks advertised the oil pump mechanism for oil changes. Previously, I would change my oil and rotate my tires together. Is that not the norm with this platform?

4) What type of octane do yall recommend for normal city driving? I drive like a grandpa generally speaking so very rarely will I be dogging this car... and I have 998 miles to go for break-in

5) Any protection items I should buy for the car? Are mud flaps a thing? I didn't buy them on my Camaro initially and paid the price.

6) I've been through the interior and exterior quite a bit during the cleaning process, should I look at the engine or underneath at all for anything in particular?

7) Any tips on how to get the roof cleaned and detailed easily? Being 5'8", I aint tall or lanky enough to detail the whole ceiling

I'm looking forward for this car to have its warranty expire as I will be modifying the car extensively after that

Welcome and congratulations!!

Get an adjustable platform. I got one at Lowe’s and it works great detailing a taller vehicle plus doing odds and ends stuff around the house.

I run 93 for the best fuel mileage. You can run regular but will lose the mileage and power some.

I put Ford OEM mud guards on mine. Definitely helps with rock chipping along the bottom of the door and fender areas.


2023 Explorer ST, Rapid Red

 

[Grey25ST]

Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate it

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Like how most stories begin, my wife and I have been looking at STs for a while now. We wanted Grey, RWD, S&S Pkg, & Flat tire Kit. Over a 3 week span, inventory and pricing wasn't aligning to our desires. Ended up at Keith Ford in Belmont, NC sitting down with a 25 Grey ST AWD with 2 miles on it. Just landed on the lot that morning and didn't move since. Over some lovely negotiations, we reached a fair deal.

Generally speaking, I only buy new cars. Been an auto enthusiast since I learned to drive and change oil. Overall, I am okay with the build quality of Ford. I spent 2 days cleaning from top to bottom and only found 3 defects... unfortunately, none of which are really repairable or worth the fuss. The glue & lube from the Sunroof really has been a PITA to deal with, but surprisingly, claybar took care of it. I've spent some time on the forum but not much.. got some questions.

1) Could Forscan enable the hands free activation feature of the truck?

2) Is there a well detailed tutorial on how to do through Forscan? Its been about 6 years since I last did it and need a major crash course.

3) I saw somewhere folks advertised the oil pump mechanism for oil changes. Previously, I would change my oil and rotate my tires together. Is that not the norm with this platform?

4) What type of octane do yall recommend for normal city driving? I drive like a grandpa generally speaking so very rarely will I be dogging this car... and I have 998 miles to go for break-in

5) Any protection items I should buy for the car? Are mud flaps a thing? I didn't buy them on my Camaro initially and paid the price.

6) I've been through the interior and exterior quite a bit during the cleaning process, should I look at the engine or underneath at all for anything in particular?

7) Any tips on how to get the roof cleaned and detailed easily? Being 5'8", I aint tall or lanky enough to detail the whole ceiling

I'm looking forward for this car to have its warranty expire as I will be modifying the car extensively after that

1) What do you mean hands free, like Bluecruise?

2) Here’s my Forscan tutorial, it’s for the 2020-24 but it’s very similar for 2025s:

3) Yes, oil and tire rotations should be done every 5k miles or 6 months

4) 87 octane is just fine

5) You can get mud flaps if you want, but they won’t do much for these cars. I definitely recommend a diff brace

http://explorerstenthusiasts.com/2025/04/17/lets-talk-differential-braces-and-why-they-are-needed/

6) Check tranny fluid, notoriously underfilled from the factory

7) Stepstool

 

[Grey25ST]

Excellent feedback, thank you. My bad on the first question. Meant to ask can forscan enable the hands free trunk feature.

All good info. Appreciate it. Ill take a look around the forum on the tranny fluid.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Excellent feedback, thank you. My bad on the first question. Meant to ask can forscan enable the hands free trunk feature.

All good info. Appreciate it. I’ll take a look around the forum on the tranny fluid.

Unfortunately no, you’re missing the whole module.

 

[Grey25ST]

Unfortunately no, you’re missing the whole module.

Well that's unfortunate

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Well that's unfortunate

I never care for it, never seemed to work either.

 

[Grey25ST]

I never care for it, never seemed to work either.

. I hear that. I don't particularly care about it, but the wife does. Oh well. Our car now . She want that feature so bad, go back to the Buick!