brakes FORD EXPLORER 2014 5.G Owner's Guide

Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
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.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if you install them properly and adjust them to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle’s braking system operation is at
the gross vehicle weight rating, not the gross combined weight
rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds
(680 kilograms) when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING:Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the
vehicle’s tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system
resulting in a fire. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
280Towing
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place
the gearshift in positionPto aid engine and transmission cooling and
to help A/C performance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•Use the Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature when towing. These
provide engine braking and help eliminate excessive transmission
shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in positionP.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbeforebacking the trailer into
the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafterremoving the trailer from
the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 centimeters)
above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Towing281
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.
Note:Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
286Driving Hints
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and pins under vehicle are
covered with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 meters) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle from Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of storage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt or grease film build-up on
window surfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for any deterioration.
•Check under the hood for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage (mice/squirrel nests).
•Check the exhaust for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage.
•Check tire pressures and set tire inflation per the Tire Label.
•Check brake pedal operation. Drive the vehicle 15 feet (4.5 meters)
back and forth to remove rust build-up.
•Check fluid levels (including coolant, oil and gas) to make sure there
are no leaks and fluids are at recommended levels.
•If the battery was removed, clean the battery cable ends and inspect.
Contact your authorized dealer if you have any concerns or issues.
Vehicle Care351
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

911 Assist™ ......................438, 512
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................222
Accessing and using your USB
port ............................................490
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call .............427
Accessing your calendar ..........511
Accessing your media menu
features ......................................450
Accessing your phone menu
features ......................................429
Accessory delay ........................107
Active call menu options .........427
Active Park Assist .....................230
Adaptive Cruise Control ...........241
Adding (pairing) a phone ........498
Advanced menu options ...436, 456
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) ..............................436
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................51
and child safety seats ..............52
description ................................51
disposal ......................................60
driver airbag ..............................51
passenger airbag .......................51
side airbag ...........................51, 55
Air cleaner filter .......333–334, 391
Air conditioning ........................144
manual heating and air
conditioning system ...............144
Air filter .....................................334Air filter, cabin ..........................152
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................214
Ambient mood/lighting .............518
Ambulance packages ..................15
AM/FM .......................................478
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................318
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................222
Anti-theft system ..................85, 88
arming the system ..............85, 88
disarming a triggered system ..88
Audio system
Single CD ................402, 406, 408
Audio system
(see Radio) ................402, 406, 408
Automatic transmission ............206
fluid, adding ............................324
fluid, checking ........................324
fluid, refill capacities ..............387
fluid, specification ..................387
Selectshift (SST) ....................209
Auxiliary Input Jack .................487
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ..415
Auxiliary powerpoint ................183
A/V inputs ..........................417, 495
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........387
refill capacities ........................387
B
Battery .......................................329
acid, treating emergencies .....329
jumping a disabled battery ....291
maintenance-free ....................329
578Index
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

replacement, specifications ...391
servicing ..................................329
Blind Spot Information
System .......................................256
Booster seats ...............................22
Brakes ........................................221
anti-lock ...................................222
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................222
brake warning light ................222
fluid, checking and adding ....328
fluid, refill capacities ..............387
fluid, specifications .................387
lubricant specifications ..........387
parking ....................................222
shift interlock ..........................210
trailer .......................................280
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....387
Cargo net ...................................266
CD ..............................402, 406, 408
CD player ..........................400, 489
CD voice commands .................490
Cell phone use ............................16
Changing a tire .........................376
Changing the air filter ..............334
Child safety restraints ..........30, 32
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ....32
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................40
LATCH .......................................30
Child safety seats - booster
seats .............................................22
Cleaning the touchscreen ........468Cleaning your vehicle ...............343
engine compartment ..............345
instrument panel ....................347
interior .....................................347
plastic parts ............................344
washing ....................................343
waxing .....................................345
wheels ......................................349
wiper blades ............................346
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........144
Climate voice commands .........529
Clock ..................................402, 516
Collision Warning System .........261
Console ......................................186
overhead ..................................187
rear ..........................................186
Coolant ......................................318
checking and adding ..............318
refill capacities ........................387
specifications ..........................387
Cross Traffic Alert ....................256
Cruise control ...........................240
Customer Assistance ................289
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................397
Getting roadside assistance ...289
Getting the service you
need .........................................294
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................300
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................298
D
Defrost .......................144, 146, 148
rear window ............................152
Index579
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)