Snow chains FORD EXPLORER 2012 5.G Owners Manual

SNOW TIRES AND CABLES
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally, the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit
failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that only
cable chains are used with steel wheels (of the same size and
specifications) as chains may chip aluminum wheels.
Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and cable chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Install cable chains only on the front wheels.
•Use only cable chains on vehicles equipped with either P245/65R17
tires or P245/60R18 tires.
•Do not use tire chains, cables or optional traction devices on vehicles
equipped with P255/50R20 tires.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cable chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and retighten the cable chains. If this does not work,
remove the cable chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cable chains when they are no longer needed. Do not
use tire cable chains on dry roads.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
250
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels cannot turn and if
they are not turning, you will not be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Since your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle
slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Driving
318
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
Roadside Emergencies
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Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............420
Seats ..........................................154
child safety seats ....................212
climate control ........................161
easy access/easyout feature ..164
front seats .......................156, 160
heated ......................................159
memory seat ...................139, 163
second row seats ............166, 169
third row seats ........169, 171–172
Second-row power fold seat ....168
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................146
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................148
Setting the clock .........................49
Snowplowing .................................6
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............207
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........337
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................401, 405
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............6
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................402
Speed control ..............................98
Starting your
vehicle ........................264–265, 267
jump starting ..........................343
push button start system .......267Steering wheel
controls ....................................108
tilting .........................................88
SYNC..........................................59
T
Third-row power fold seat .......174
Tilt steering wheel ......................88
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....246
Tires ...........................231–233, 334
alignment ................................240
care ..........................................236
changing ..................334, 337–338
checking the pressure ............236
inflating ...................................234
label .........................................245
replacing ..................................237
rotating ....................................240
safety practices .......................239
sidewall information ...............241
snow tires and chains ............250
spare tire .................................334
terminology .............................233
tire grades ...............................232
treadwear ........................232, 236
Towing .......................................258
recreational towing .................262
trailer towing ..........................258
wrecker ....................................346
Transmission .............................285
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....284
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .....................395, 397
fluid, refill capacities ..............402
lubricant specifications ..........402
Turn signal ..................................76
Index
438
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)