clock FORD EXPLORER 2012 5.G User Guide

Removing the spare tire and jack
If the 3rd row seat is stowed in the floor, you will need to unstow it
(raised position) to access the spare tire and jack. Refer toUnstowing
the third row seatin theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter for this
procedure.
1. Remove the floor filler and
carpeted floor panel located in the
rear of the vehicle.
2. Remove the wing nut that secures
the spare tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Lift and remove the spare tire
from the spare tire well.
Roadside Emergencies
337
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

4. Remove the wing bolt that
secures the jack kit by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Remove the jack kit which
includes jack (4), wheel wrench (lug
wrench) (3), wheel chock (5),
L-shaped bolt (1) and tow recovery
hook (2).
6. Remove the jack, wrench and
wheel chock from the foam tray.
7. Turn the lead screw (where the
lug wrench attaches) of the jack by
hand to release the wheel wrench
from the jack. Press the button on
the wrench to extend the handle.
Fold down the wrench socket.
Tire change procedure
WARNING:When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or
slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
25
43
1
Roadside Emergencies
338
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure to place the transmission in P (Park), set
the parking brake and block (in both directions) the wheel that is
diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire
being changed.
WARNING:If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
WARNING:Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the
wheel.
Note:Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the vehicle is
being lifted by the jack.
1. Open the wheel chock to form a
triangle and use it to block the tire
opposite from the flat tire.
2. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
Roadside Emergencies
339
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

3. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the tire you are changing.
Turn the jack handle clockwise until
the wheel is completely off the
ground.
4. Remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench.
5. Replace the flat tire with the
spare tire, making sure the valve
stem is facing outward. Reinstall the
lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the
lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
6. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
7. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
Refer toWheel lug nut torque
specificationslater in this chapter
for the proper lug nut torque
specification.
Stowing the mini-spare and jack
1. Replace the wheel chock in the foam tray.
2. Adjust the jack to the proper
height to install the wrench. Turn
the jack lead screw until the arrow
on the upper link is slightly below
the circle indicator shown on the
lower link.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside Emergencies
340
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Push the button (1) to retract the
wrench handle and place the
wrench over the raised tab on the
lower link and drop the tang (2)
through the hole in the diagonally
opposite upper link. Turn lead screw
of jack clockwise until the arrow
aligns with the circle indicator to
secure the wrench onto the jack.
3. Place the jack in the foam tray and secure it with the attached strap.
4. Place the foam tray over the mounting bracket on the floor of the
spare tire well.
5. Replace the mini-spare over the jack and secure with wing nut .
Stowing the flat tire
1. Place the 3rd row seat in the
raised position.
2. Secure the jack kit in the
alternate position by inserting the
L-shaped bolt through the hole in
the side of jack channel as shown.
Note:The L-shaped bolt is located in the foam tray near the wheel
chock.
3. Stand the flat tire vertically in the
mini-spare tub with the tire’s valve
stem facing rearward toward the
rear lift gate back panel.
4. Fasten the flat tire to the rear lift
gate back panel by inserting the
wing bolt through one of the lug
bolt holes in the wheel.
5. Turn the wing bolt clockwise into
the threaded hole in the rear lift
gate back panel until the tire is secured.1
2
Roadside Emergencies
341
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
upper hole on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
2.0L EcoBoost™ engine
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil
Only use oils certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms to the
current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use MotorcraftSAE
5W-30 or an equivalent SAE 5W-30 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C946-A. Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitieslater in this section for more information.
Maintenance and Specifications
371
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
Battery management system
The battery management system (BMS) monitors battery conditions and
takes actions to extend battery life. If excessive battery drain is
detected, the system may temporarily disable certain electrical features
to protect the battery. Those electrical accessories affected include rear
defrost, heated /cooled seats, climate control fan, heated steering wheel,
audio and navigation system. A message may be displayed on the
instrument cluster or center stack display to alert the driver that battery
protection actions are active. See theMessage centerin theInstrument
ClusterandEntertainment systemschapters for more information.
These messages are only for notification that an action is taking place,
and do not necessarily indicate that an electrical problem exists or that
the battery requires replacement.
Electrical accessory installation
To ensure proper operation of the BMS, any electrical devices that are
added to the vehicle should not have their ground connection made
directly at the negative battery post. A connection at the negative
battery post can cause inaccurate measurements of the battery condition
and potential incorrect system operation.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
375
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty. Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants/additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and/or heating systems.
This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned with Motorcraft
Premium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
distilled water to the FULL COLD level. For all other vehicles which have
a coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
Maintenance and Specifications
378
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the COLD FILL RANGE or the FULL COLD level on the reservoir.
If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the radiator
until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50, drain
some coolant and adjust the concentration. It may take several drains
and additions to obtain a 50/50 coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined previously in theAdding
engine coolantsection.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
Maintenance and Specifications
379
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Changing a tire .........................334
Child safety seats ......................212
in front seat ............................212
in rear seat ..............................212
LATCH .....................................218
recommendations ...................210
tether anchorage hardware ...220
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................224
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............358
instrument panel ....................360
interior .....................................361
plastic parts ............................359
washing ....................................356
waxing .....................................357
wheels ......................................357
wiper blades ............................359
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................60, 63, 65
Clock ............................................49
Collision Warning System .........297
Console ........................................90
overhead ....................................89
rear ............................................90
Controls
power seat ...............................157
steering column ......................108
Coolant
checking and adding ..............376
refill capacities ................379, 402
specifications ..........................402
Cross Traffic Alert ....................307
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................98
Customer Assistance ................322Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................410, 413
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................352
Getting roadside assistance ...322
Getting the service you
need .........................................348
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................354
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................352
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................73
Defrost
rear window ..............................68
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..................................395, 397
engine oil .................................370
Driving under special
conditions ..................291, 314, 317
sand .........................................316
snow and ice ...........................318
through water .................316, 321
E
Electronic message center ...22, 26
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................343
running out of fuel .........342, 388
Emission control system ..........392
Engine ........................................405
cleaning ...................................358
coolant .....................................376
fail-safe cooling .......................381
Index
434
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)