brakes FORD EXPLORER 2011 5.G User Guide

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package. An optional Class III towing hitch is available and may be
required for your towing purposes.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1,000 miles (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to
Special operating conditionsin theScheduled Maintenance Guide
chapter.
For load specification terms found on the label and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle loading - with and
without a trailerin this chapter when figuring the total weight of your
vehicle.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
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Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking-up trailer lamps.
WARNING:Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle’s
tail lamp circuits, because it may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 km) of trailer towing and don’t make full-throttle starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Activate the tow/haul feature or the grade assist feature on your
transmission to eliminate excessive transmission shifting and assist in
transmission cooling. For additional information, refer toAutomatic
transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
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Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle after it
is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehiclescan be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow
dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehiclescan be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle
transport trailer.Do not tow your 4WD vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels
on the ground; this will cause damage to your 4WD system.If you
are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by
the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the
ground, refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer to
Push button start systemin this section for ignition modes.
1. Off— locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal. This
position also shuts the engine and
all electrical accessories off.
Note:In order to switch off the
engine while the vehicle is in
motion, shift to neutral and use the
brakes to bring the vehicle to a safe
stop. After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine off and shift into
park. Then turn the key to the accessory or off position.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
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.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
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Note:Cranking may be stopped at any time by turning the key to the off
position.
3. After idling for a few seconds, release the parking brake, apply the
brake, shift into gear and drive.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, turn the vehicle to the
off position, wait 10 seconds and try Step 2 again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try Step 2 again, keeping
the accelerator on the floor until the engine begins to accelerate above
cranking speeds; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off
in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Push button start system (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the
push button start system, you can
start your vehicle by pressing the
start button in combination with the
brake pedal rather than using a key.
The start button is located on the
instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
In order to operate the push button
start system and start the vehicle,
your intelligent access key (IA key)
must be present inside the vehicle.
Ignition modes
1. Off — press and release the START/STOP button without applying the
brake pedal when your vehicle is in accessory or on modes or when the
engine is running.
Note:In order to switch off the engine while the vehicle is in motion,
shift to neutral and use the brakes to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine off and shift into park.
Then, press and hold the START/STOP button for at least one second or
press the START/STOP button three times within two seconds.
2. Accessory — press and release the START/STOP button without
applying the brake pedal. This allows electrical accessories such as the
radio to operate while the engine is not running. ACCESSORY POWER
ACTIVE and PRESS BRAKE TO START will be displayed in the message
center. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for
more information.
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•Be sure that areas where the vehicle is parked are clean and clear of
all combustibles such as petroleum products, dust, rags, paper and
similar items.
•Be sure that the engine block heater, heater cord and extension cord
are solidly connected. A poor connection can cause the cord to
become very hot and may result in an electrical shock or fire. Be sure
to check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system
has been operating for approximately a half hour.
•Finally, have the engine block heater system checked during your fall
tune-up to be sure it’s in good working order.
How to use the engine block heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater will use .4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use. Your
factory installed block heater system does not have a thermostat; however,
maximum temperature is attained after approximately three hours of
operation. Block heater operation longer than three hours will not improve
system performance and will unnecessarily use additional electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toWarning lights and
chimesin 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
P!
BRAKE
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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.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
Brake assist
The brake assist system provides full braking force during panic braking
situations. It detects a rapid application of the brake pedal and uses the
ABS system to achieve maximum braking pressure. Once a panic brake
application is detected, the system will remain activated as long as the
brake pedal is pressed or ABS is engaged. The system is deactivated by
either releasing the brake pedal or coming to a complete stop. When the
system activates, noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal
pulsation may be observed; this is normal.
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 override
This vehicle is equipped with a brake override feature. In the event the
accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, applying steady and firm
pressure to the brake pedal will both slow the vehicle and reduce engine
power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes and bring your
vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the engine off, shift to P (Park) and apply
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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the parking brake, and then inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interferences. If none are found and the condition persists, have your
vehicle towed to the nearest dealer.
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.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). Turn the
ignition to the lock position and remove the key whenever you leave
the vehicle. For vehicles with the push button start system, remove the
IA key whenever you leave the vehicle.
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.
Press the parking brake pedal downward again to release the parking
brake. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and reduce fuel economy.
Note:If the vehicle is driven with the parking brake applied, a chime
will sound.
P!
BRAKE
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Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle
maintain traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or
hilly road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem: engine traction control and brake traction
control. Engine traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
If the TCS is activated excessively in a short period of time, the braking
portion of the system may become temporarily disabled to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, TCS will use only engine power
reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain all features.
Anti-lock braking, RSC, ESC and Curve Control are not affected by this
condition and will continue to function during the cool-down period.
The engine traction control and brake traction control systems may be
deactivated in certain situations. See theTurning traction control off
section following.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. The ESC operates by applying brakes
to one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing
engine power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or
slide laterally.
During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC system, which
include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
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•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
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter).
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) may help to maintain roll stability of the
vehicle during adverse maneuvers. The RSCsystem operates by
detecting the vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which it changes and
by applying the brakes to one or more wheels individually.
During an event that activates the RSCsystem, the stability control
light in the instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the RSCsystem, which
include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
Curve Control
Curve control may enhance your vehicle’s ability to follow the road
during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely or
avoiding objects in the roadway. Curve Control operates by reducing
engine power and, if necessary, applying brakes to one or more of the
wheels individually. During Curve Control events, the stability control
light in the instrument cluster will flash and the brake lamps may
illuminate.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Curve control
system, which include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (seeTrailer towingin
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter). The Curve Control system
may be deactivated in certain terrain management modes. See
Terrain managementlater in this chapter.
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