warning FORD EXPLORER 2005 3.G Owner's Guide

Low Tire Warning
LightCustomer Action Required
Solid Warning Light 1. Check your tire pressure to ensure they are
properly inflated, refer toInspecting and
inflating your tiresin this chapter. Ford
recommends the use of a digital or dial type
tire pressure gauge rather than a stick type
tire pressure gauge for increased accuracy.
2. After inflating your tires to the
manufacturer’s recommended air pressure as
shown on the Tire Label (located on the
driver’s door or the B-Pillar), the vehicle must
be driven for at least two minutes at 20 mph
(32 km/h) to guarantee that the light will turn
off.
3. If the light remains on even after these
steps have been taken, have the system
inspected by your servicing dealership
Flashing Warning Light
(flashes for 20 to 30
seconds either at
start-up or while
driving)1. Your spare tire is in use. Repair the
damaged road wheel and re-mount it on the
vehicle to restore system functionality. For a
description of how the system functions under
these conditions, refer to When You Have a
Flat Tire in this section.
2. If your tires are inflated to the
manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure,
and your spare tire is not in use, and a
flashing low time warning light is still present,
have the system inspected by your servicing
dealership.
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When inflating your tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the Tire Pressure Monitoring System may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires. Here are the details:
•The tire pressure monitor sensors mounted in your wheels updates
your vehicle with tire pressure information only once every minute,
therefore it may take up to a minute for the light to turn off after you
have filled your tires to the recommended tire pressure.
•If your vehicle has been parked for over 15 minutes, the sensors go
into a low power mode to conserve battery life and therefore only
transmit about once an hour. If you inflate your tires under these
conditions, the light could take up to an hour to turn off after you
have filled your tires to the recommended tire pressure.
For these reasons, the low tire warning light is NOT a substitute for using
an accurate tire gauge when checking and filling your tires. The best way to
turn off the low tire warning light is to fill your tires to the recommended
tire pressure and drive your vehicle — the tire pressure sensors in your
wheels will update your vehicle with the updated tire pressure when your
vehicle reaches a speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) for at least a minute.
How temperature affects your tire pressure
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors tire pressure in
each pneumatic tire. The pressure in each tire is dependent upon several
factors, one of them being the contained air temperature (temperature of
the air inside the tire). As the contained air temperature increases, the tire
pressure also increases. While driving in a normal manner, a typical
passenger tire inflation pressure may increase approximately 2 to 4 psi (14
to 28 kPa) from a cold start situation. This increase in tire pressure is due
to an increase in the contained air temperature. Contained air temperature
is dependent upon several factors such as rate of tire rotation, tire
deflection, amount of braking, etc. In similar manner, the tire pressure will
decrease if the contained air temperature decreases. For example, if the
vehicle is stationary over night with the outside temperature significantly
lower than the daytime temperature, the tire pressure may decrease
approximately 3 psi (20.7 kPa) for a drop of 30° F (16.6° C) in ambient
temperature. This lower pressure value may be detected by the TPMS as
being significantly lower than the cold pressure indicated on your vehicles
tire label, and activate the TPMS warning for low tire pressure. If the low
warning light is on, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. If
one or more tires are flat, repair as necessary. If all tires appear to be
inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest location where air can be
added to the tires. Turn the ignition to the “off” position. Inflate all the
tires to the recommended cold pressure.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. OFF/LOCK, shuts off the engine
and all accessories/locks the steering
wheel, gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
2. ACC, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running. This position also unlocks
the steering wheel.
3. ON, all electrical circuits
operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
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Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced immediately.)
Brake Assist (if equipped as part of the AdvanceTracsystem)
The Brake Assist system provides full braking force during panic braking
situations. It detects a rapid application of the brake pedal and
maximizes the amount of brake booster assist, helping the driver to
achieve maximum braking pressure. Once a panic brake application is
detected, the system will remain activated as long as the brake pedal is
depressed. The system is deactivated by releasing the brake pedal.
When the system activates, the brake pedal will travel with very little
effort; this is normal.
ABS
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Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
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Driving conditions which may activate AdvanceTrac
include:
•Taking a turn too fast.
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle.
•Hitting a patch of ice.
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road.
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa.
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa.
•Hitting a curb while turning.
•Driving on slick surfaces.
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.)
Roll Stability Control System (if equipped)
The Roll Stability Control system works in conjunction with the
AdvanceTrac
system to further enhance the vehicle’s overall stability
during aggressive maneuvers. The system helps maintain roll stability of
the vehicle during aggressive maneuvers by applying brake force to one
or more wheels.
Driving conditions that may activate Roll Stability Control include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
The AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control system automatically turns on
when the engine is started. However, the system does not function when
the vehicle is traveling in R (Reverse). In R (Reverse), ABS and the
traction enhancement feature will continue to function.
The AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability
Control button allows the driver to
control the availability of the
AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control
system. AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability
Control system status is indicated by a warning indicator light with a
“sliding car” icon in the instrument cluster that will flash when the
system is active and an indicator light in the control button that will
illuminate when the system is turned off. In vehicles with a message
center, the message “ADVANCETRAC OFF” will be displayed.
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If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control
system, the warning indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay on.
If the warning indicator light in the instrument cluster remains on while
the engine is running, have the system serviced immediately.
Pressing the control once will disable the AdvanceTrac
stability
enhancement/Roll Stability Control and the engine power reduction
portion of the traction enhancement feature; the brake portion of the
traction enhancement feature will still function normally. Pressing and
holding the control for more than five seconds will disable the
AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement/Roll Stability Control and traction
enhancement feature. If the vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when
driving in deep sand, switching off the AdvanceTrac
system may be
beneficial so the wheels are allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose
engine power while driving in deep sand or very deep snow, switching off
the AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement feature will restore full engine
power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
Some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake pedal when the
AdvanceTrac
performs a system self-check. During AdvanceTrac
/Roll
Stability Control operation you may experience the following:
•A rumble or grinding noise
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The AdvanceTrac
indicator light will flash
•If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal will move to apply higher brake forces. You may also hear
a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during this severe
condition.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability
Control operation.
Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control system. Also, do not
install a stereo loudspeaker near the rear console or either rear
seat. The speaker vibrations can adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac
/Roll Stability Control sensors located in this area.
Note:Pressing the AdvanceTrac
button will disable AdvanceTrac
and
Roll Stability Control.
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If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
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REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Reverse Sensing System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.
To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations of the reverse sensing system as contained in this
section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some (generally large and
fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at “parking
speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the function of the RSS;
this may include reduced performance or a false activation.
To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in R
(Reverse) and when using the RSS.
This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to
assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal
detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
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turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Parking
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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