ECO mode FORD EXPLORER 2012 5.G Owner's Guide

D (Drive) with Overdrive
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
The automatic transmission shift strategy has the ability to detect hilly
terrain or mountainous areas and will provide a limited amount of grade
assist features automatically. Refer to D (Drive) with Grade assist or
SelectShift for more information.
D (Drive) with Tow on
The tow feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer
or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using
tow.
Tow can be activated by pressing theTOWswitch located on the
instrument panel by the headlamp control. TheTOW/HAULmessage
will illuminate in the instrument cluster.
The tow feature delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission
shifting. Tow also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the
transmission is in the D (Overdrive) position. This engine braking will
slow the vehicle and assist the driver in controlling the vehicle when
descending a grade. Depending on driving conditions and load
conditions, the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control
the vehicle speed when descending a hill, without the accelerator pedal
being pressed. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based
upon the amount the brake pedal is depressed.
To deactivate the tow feature and return to normal driving mode, press
theTOWbutton. The tow light will no longer be illuminated.
When you shut-off and restart the engine, the transmission will
automatically return to normal D (Overdrive) mode (tow off).
WARNING:Do not use the tow feature when driving in icy or
slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause
the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the
possible loss of vehicle control.
Driving
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D (Drive) with Grade Assist
Pressing the transmission control switch on the side of the gearshift
lever activates grade assist and cancels overdrive.
Grade assist:
•Provides additional grade
(engine) braking and extends
lower gear operation on uphill
climbs for hilly terrain or
mountainous areas.
•Provides additional engine
braking through the automatic
transmission shift strategy which
reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle
acceleration, accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).
•Allows the transmission to select gears that will provide the desired
engine braking based on the vehicle inputs mentioned above. This will
increase engine RPM during engine braking.
•The grade assist lamp in the
instrument cluster is illuminated.
Grade assist is designed to aid the
driver with optimal gear selection in
hilly terrain or mountainous areas
but is not intended for normal operation. It is recommended that you
return to O/D (overdrive mode) on flat terrain to provide the best fuel
economy and transmission function.
To return to normal D (Drive) position (with O/D), press the
transmission control switch again.
•The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
•The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
L (Low)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Will downshift to the lowest available gear for the current vehicle
speed; allows for first gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
•Is not intended for use under extended or normal driving conditions
and results in lower fuel economy.
PRNDL
Driving
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BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS) WITH CROSS
TRAFFIC ALERT (CTA) (IF EQUIPPED)
The BLISis a convenience feature
that aids the driver in assessing
whether a vehicle is within an area
on either side of the vehicle
extending rearward from the outside
mirrors to approximately 10 feet
(3 meters) beyond the bumper. This
area is referred to as the blind zone.
The BLISwill alert the driver to
the presence of motorized vehicles
in these areas while driving on roads
and freeways.
The system is not designed to
prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects. The system is designed
to provide a warning to assist the
driver in detecting vehicles in the blind zones. The system will not detect
infrastructure, pedestrians, or cyclists.
WARNING:To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLISas a
replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors and looking
over your shoulder before changing lanes. BLISis not a replacement
for careful driving and only an assist.
The BLISand CTA has a yellow
indicator (also referred to as the
alert) located in the left and right
exterior mirrors. When the vehicle is
started, the BLISautomatically
illuminates both indicators for
several seconds indicating the
system is operating. The first time
you place the transmission in D (Drive) after starting the engine and
drive forward at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h) the BLISsystem
becomes active. Afterwards, the BLISremains active for all speeds
including zero mph. BLISis also active if the transmission is placed in N
(Neutral). If the transmission is shifted out of D (Drive) or N (Neutral)
the system will enter the CTA mode (see CTA operation below). Once
shifted back into D (Drive) the BLISmode will activate once driven
above 3 mph (5 km/h).
Driving
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Turn the control located on the center console to choose between the
following modes:
1. Grass/Gravel/Snow
2. Sand
3. Mud/Ruts
4. Normal
•Normal - This mode is for on-road conditions. If not already active,
Normal should be selected before driving on surfaces which are similar
to a hard road surface. This mode should be selected once the need
for a special mode has passed. Use Normal mode when towing a
trailer.
Note:Cruise control is available only in Normal and Snow modes.
•Grass/Gravel/Snow - This mode should be used where a firm surface is
covered with loose or slippery material. Surfaces covered in packed
snow, ice, water, grass, gravel, or a thin coating of sand for example.
For deep gravel, it is recommended that the Sand mode is selected. If
the vehicle is unable to gain traction in deep snow, switching traction
control off may help. Traction control should be switched on again as
soon as the difficulty is overcome. SeeSwitching Off AdvanceTrac
with RSCearlier in this chapter.
Note:The Mud/Ruts and Sand modes are for off-road use only.
Note:Curve Control is unavailable when the Mud/Ruts or Sand modes
are selected.
•Sand - This mode should be used for soft dry sand, or deep gravel
terrain. If the sand to be crossed is damp/wet, and sufficiently deep
enough to cause the wheels to sink into the surface, the Mud/Ruts
mode should be selected.
•Mud/Ruts - This mode should be used for muddy, rutted, soft, or
uneven terrain.
If the terrain management system becomes inoperable, it may not be
possible to select specific modes and a message will be displayed. If the
TMS becomes inoperable due to a system malfunction, all of the mode
indicators on the control will turn off and the message center will display
one of the following messages.
1
2
3
4
Driving
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MyFord Touch™ (if equipped)
•Press and hold the flasher control and all front and rear direction
signals will flash.
•Press and hold the flasher control again to turn them off.
Note:With extended use, the flasher may run down your battery.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF
In the event of a moderate to severe collision, this vehicle is equipped
with a fuel pump shut-off feature that stops the flow of fuel to the
engine. Not every impact will cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after a collision due to this feature, you may
restart your vehicle by doing the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the off position.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the on position.
In some instances the vehicle may not restart the first time you try to
restart and may take one additional attempt.
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary repair fuel leaks
after a collision may increase the risk of fire and serious injury.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the fuel system be inspected
by an authorized dealer after any collision.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
Note:Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire.
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Roadside Emergencies
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Connecting the jumper cables
Note:In the illustration, the vehicle on the bottom is used to designate
the assisting (boosting) battery.
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper
cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
2. Connect the other end of the
positive (+) cable to the positive
(+) terminal of the assisting battery.
3. Connect the negative (-) cable to
the negative (-) terminal of the
assisting battery.
4. Make the final connection of the
negative (-) cable to an exposed
metal part of the stalled vehicle’s
engine, away from the battery and
the carburetor/fuel injection system.
Note:Do not attach the negative (-) cable to fuel lines, engine rocker
covers, the intake manifold or electrical components as grounding points.
WARNING:Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of both
engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
+–
+–
2
3
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Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
Maintenance and Specifications
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idle speed control ...................373
lubrication specifications .......402
refill capacities ........................402
service points ..................366, 368
Engine block heater .................270
Engine oil ..................................370
checking and adding ..............370
dipstick ....................................370
filter, specifications ................401
refill capacities ........................402
specifications ..........................402
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................270
F
Fail safe cooling ........................381
Fleet MyKey programming ......127
Floor mats .........................117–118
Fluid capacities .........................402
Fog lamps ....................................72
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................313
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................283
Fuel ............................................383
calculating fuel economy .......389
cap ...........................................385
capacity ...................................402
choosing the right fuel ...........386
detergent in fuel .....................388
filler funnel .............................388
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................383, 385, 389
filter, specifications ........383, 401
fuel pump shut-off ..................324
improving fuel economy ........389
octane rating ...........................405
quality ......................................387running out of fuel .........342, 388
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................383
Fuses ..................................324–325
G
Garage door opener ..................111
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............385
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................389
Gauges .........................................19
H
Hazard flashers .........................323
Headlamps ...................................71
aiming ........................................74
autolamp system .......................71
bulb specifications ....................79
daytime running lights .............73
flash to pass ..............................73
high beam .................................72
turning on and off ....................71
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................60, 63, 65
Hill descent mode .....................280
Hill start assist ..........................290
Hood ..........................................365
I
Ignition ...............................264, 405
Illuminated visor mirror .............89
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................212
Index
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