tow FORD EXPLORER 2006 4.G Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints 114
Seating 114
Safety restraints 126
Airbags 141
Child restraints 155
Tires, Wheels and Loading 170
Tire Information 172
Tire Inflation 175
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 186
Vehicle loading 192
Trailer towing 199
Recreational towing 205
Driving 207
Starting 207
Brakes 210
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 212
Transmission operation 217
Roadside Emergencies 235
Getting roadside assistance 235
Hazard flasher switch 237
Fuel pump shut-off switch 237
Fuses and relays 238
Changing tires 246
Lug Nut Torque 255
Jump starting 256
Wrecker towing 261
Customer Assistance 262
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 268
Table of Contents
2

Fuel pump shut-off switch:In the event of an accident the
safety switch will automatically cut off the fuel supply to the
engine. The switch can also be activated through sudden vibration (e.g.
collision when parking). To reset the switch, refer to theFuel pump
shut-off switchin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
Introduction
5

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle's New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guidethat is provided to you along with yourOwner's Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionSupplemental restraint system (SRS)
in theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter. Failure to follow
the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal injury.
Front seat mounted rear-facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe placed in front of an active passenger airbag.
Introduction
6

GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
Radio frequencies:AM and FM frequencies are established by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540±1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9±107.7, 107.9 MHz
Radio reception factors:There are three factors that can affect radio
reception:
²Distance/strength: The further you travel from a station, the weaker
the signal and the weaker the reception.
²Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
²Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
Cassette/player care:
Do:
²Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
²Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
²Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
²Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
²Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10±12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don't:
²Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
²Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD player care:
Do:
²Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
²Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Entertainment Systems
33

²Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
²To improve the A/C cool down when the vehicle interior is
significantly warmer than the outside temperature, drive with the
windows slightly open for 2±3 minutes after start up or until the
vehicle has been ªaired out.º
For maximum cooling performance in panel (
) mode:
²Select MAX A/C mode. MAX A/C uses recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
²Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
²Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust in order to
maintain comfort.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
To allow windshield defogging and demisting while warming up vehicle:
1. Select
floor/defrost mode.
2. Set temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set fan to highest setting.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Climate Controls
36

16.EXT:Displays the outside air
temperature. It will remain
displayed until the EXT control is
pressed again. The external temperature will be most accurate when the
vehicle has been moving for a period of time.
17.Temperature conversion:
Press to toggle between Fahrenheit
and Celsius temperature on the
DATC display only. The set point temperatures in Celsius will be
displayed in half-degree increments.
Operating tips
²To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
²To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
air flow selector in OFF or with recirculated air engaged.
²Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
²To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2±3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been ªaired out.º
For maximum cooling performance:
²Select and A/C and recirculated air. Use recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
²Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
EXT
F C
Climate Controls
39

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp system
(if equipped)
The autolamp system sets the
headlamps to turn on and off
automatically. The autolamp control,
located on the headlamp control,
may be set to:
²turn on the lamps automatically
at night
²turn off the lamps automatically
during the daylight
²keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after the key is turned to
OFF.
To turn the autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to
.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
The foglamps can be turned on only
when the headlamp control is in
the
,orposition and
the high beams are not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light below the
icon
will illuminate when foglamp is
activated.
Lights
42

Push the headlamp control towards the instrument panel to deactivate
the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
To activate DRL:
²the ignition must be in the ON position and
²the headlamp control is in the
orposition
²the transmission is not in park.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull the lever toward you to
activate. Release the lever to
deactivate.
Lights
43

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Windshield washer:Push the end
of the stalk:
²briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
²a quick push and hold: the wipers
will swipe three times with
washer fluid.
²a long push and hold: the wipers and washer fluid will be activated for
up to ten seconds.
Rear window wiper/washer controls
For rear wiper operation, rotate the
rear window wiper and washer
control to the desired position.
Select:
INT 1 Ð 8±10 second interval rear
wiper.
INT 2 Ð 3±4 second interval rear
wiper.
OFF Ð Rear wiper and washer off.
For rear wash cycle, rotate (and hold as desired) the rear wiper/washer
control to either
position.
From either position, the control will automatically return to the INT 2
or OFF position.
Driver Controls
52

TILT STEERING COLUMN
Pull the lever down and release, to
unlock the steering column tilt lock.
With the lever in the down position,
tilt the steering column and wheel
to its desired orientation. Do not
push or pull the lever while tilting
the wheel.
Lift the lever back to its original
position to lock the steering column.
Never adjust the steering
column when the vehicle is
moving.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED)
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
Slide on rod feature
Rotate the visor towards the side
window and extend it rearward for
additional sunlight coverage.
Note:To stow the visor back into
the headliner, visor must be
retracted before moving it back
towards the windshield.
Driver Controls
53