4WD FORD EXPLORER 2018 Owners Manual

Fasten Safety Belt
It illuminates and a chime
sounds to remind you to fasten
your safety belt. See Seatbelt
Reminder (page 40).
Front Airbag If it fails to illuminate when you
start your vehicle, continues to
flash or remains on, it indicates
a malfunction. Have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.
Front Fog Lamps
(If Equipped) Lights when you switch the front
fog lamps on.
Heads Up Display
(If Equipped) A red beam of lights illuminates
on the windshield in certain
instances when using adaptive
cruise control and/or the collision warning
system. It also illuminates momentarily
when you start your vehicle to make sure
the display works.
High Beam It illuminates when you switch
the high beam headlamps on. It
flashes when you use the
headlamp flasher.
Hood Ajar Displays when the ignition is on
and the hood is not completely
closed.
Lane Keeping Aid
(If Equipped) Lights when the lane keeping
system is activated. Liftgate Ajar Lights when the liftgate is not
completely closed.
Low Fuel Level It illuminates when the fuel level
is low or the fuel tank is nearly
empty. Refuel as soon as
possible.
Low Tire Pressure Warning It illuminates when your tire
pressure is low. If the lamp
remains on with the engine
running or when driving, check your tire
pressure as soon as possible.
It also illuminates momentarily when you
switch the ignition on to confirm the lamp
is functional. If it does not illuminate when
you switch the ignition on, or begins to
flash at any time, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.
Low Washer Fluid It illuminates when the
windshield washer fluid is low.
Parking Lamps It illuminates when you switch
the parking lamps on.
Powertrain Fault Illuminates when the system
detects a powertrain or an 4WD
fault. Contact an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
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•
Distance to Empty - Shows the
approximate distance your vehicle can
travel before running out of fuel.
• Instantaneous Fuel Economy - Shows
a visual graph of your instantaneous
fuel economy along with your Avg MPG
since the function was last reset.
• Average MPG — Shows the average
fuel economy since last reset.
• Fuel History - Shows a bar chart of your
fuel history.
• All Values — Shows all fuel economy
values (DTE, Inst Fuel Econ, Avg Fuel). Note:
You can reset your average fuel
economy by pressing and holding the OK
button on the left hand steering wheel
controls.
Driver Assist
In this mode, you can configure different
driver setting choices.
Note: Some options may appear slightly
different or not at all if the items are
optional. Driver Assist
Traction Ctrl
Blindspot
Cross Traffic Adaptive
or Normal
Cruise Control
Driver Alert
Hill Start Assist
Intellig. 4WD
Alert
,Aid or Alert + Aid
Mode
Lane Keeping
High
,Normal or Low
Intensity
High
,Normal or Low
Alert Sensitivity
Pre-Collision
Rear Park Aid
Tire Monitor
Trailer Sway
Settings
In this mode, you can configure different
driver setting choices. Note:
Some items are optional and may
not appear.
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Display Mode
Tire pressure on demand screen
Digital speedometer - XXX MPH - Press OK for km/h
Intelligent 4WD - 4WD Gauge with Terrain Management System
* Vehicles with Intelligent 4WD only. You can choose to have only the fuel gauge show in
this mode. Refer to Display > Gauge Display found in the table under the Settings section
later in this chapter.
XXX mi (km) to empty
Shows approximate fuel level before the
fuel tank reaches empty. The value is
dynamic and can change (raise or lower)
depending on driving style.
Fuel gauge
Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge
indicates approximately how much fuel is
in the fuel tank. The arrow next to the fuel
pump symbol shows the fuel filler door
side of your vehicle. When the fuel level
becomes low, the level indicator changes
to amber. When the fuel level becomes
critically low, the level indicator changes
to red.
Note: The fuel gauge level may vary slightly
when your vehicle is moving or when driving
on a slope.
Note: When a MyKey is in use, low fuel
warnings display earlier.
Bar or Round tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute. Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine. During SelectShift
Automatic ™ transmission (SST) use, the
currently selected gear appears in the
display. Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates engine coolant temperature. At
normal operating temperature, the level
indicator is in the normal range. If the
engine coolant temperature exceeds the
normal range, stop your vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and
let the engine cool.
Intelligent 4WD (if equipped)
Displays power distribution between the
front and rear wheels. More power to either
the front or rear wheels displays by more
area filled in. Intelligent 4WD also displays
the currently selected terrain management
mode.
Trip 1 & 2
You can access the menu using the
information display control.
Note:
Some options may appear slightly
different or not at all if the items are
optional.
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Trip 1 & 2
All Values
• All Values — shows all trip values (Trip
Timer, Trip Odometer and Average
Fuel).
• Trip Odometer — Shows your
accumulated trip distance.
• Average Fuel — Shows your average
fuel economy for a given trip.
• Trip Timer — The timer stops when you
turn your vehicle off and restarts when
you restart your vehicle. Note:
You can reset your trip information
by pressing and holding the OK button on
the left hand steering wheel controls.
Fuel Economy
Use the left or right arrow buttons to
choose the desired fuel economy display. Fuel Economy
Instant Fuel Economy - Hold
OK to Reset
Fuel History
• Inst Fuel Economy - shows a visual
graph of your instantaneous fuel
economy, average fuel economy and
distance to empty.
• Fuel History - shows a bar chart of your
fuel history from the past 30 min,
average fuel economy and distance to
empty. Note:
You can reset your average fuel
economy by pressing and holding the
OK
button on the left hand steering wheel
controls.
Driver Assist
In this mode, you can configure different
driver setting choices.
Note: Some items are optional and may
not appear. Driver Assist
Traction Control Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System
Intelligent 4WD
Blindspot
Cross Traffic
Adaptive
or Normal
Cruise Control
Driver Alert
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Settings
°Fahrenheit or °Celsius
Temper-
ature Unit
psi, kPa or bar
Tire Pres-
sure
Choose your applicable setting
Language
Speedo in km/h
Note: Some MyKey items only appear if a
MyKey is set.
INFORMATION MESSAGES
Note: Depending on the vehicle options
equipped with your vehicle, not all of the
messages will display or be available.
Certain messages may display abbreviated
or shortened depending upon which cluster
type you have. Press the OK button to acknowledge and
remove some messages from the
information display. Other messages
delete automatically after a short time.
You need to confirm certain messages
before you can access the menus.
4WD Action
Message
The four wheel drive system has automatically disabled itselfdue to the system overheating.
4WD Temporarily
Disabled
The four wheel drive system has automatically disabled itself
due to the system overheating or you are using the spare tire.
4WD Off
The four wheel drive system resumes normal function andclears this message after driving a short distance with the road tire re-installed or after the system cools.
4WD Restored
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Action
Message
The four wheel drive system is not operating properly and thepowertrain fault indicator illuminates. See Warning Lamps
and Indicators (page 100). If the warning stays illuminated
or continues to illuminate, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
4WD Malfunction
Service Required
Displayed when the transfer case fluid requires service.
Change 4WD Power
Transfer Unit Lube
Displayed when the transfer case fluid has been changed and reset to new.
4WD Power Transfer
Unit Lube Set to New
Adaptive Cruise Control Action
Message
A radar malfunction is preventing the adaptive cruise from
engaging. See
Using Adaptive Cruise Control (page 221).
Adaptive Cruise
Malfunction
Conditions exist such that the adaptive cruise cannot functionproperly. See
Using Adaptive Cruise Control (page 221).
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available
The radar is blocked because of poor radar visibility due tobad weather or ice/mud/water in front of radar. Driver can
typically clean the sensor to resolve. See
Using Adaptive
Cruise Control (page 221).
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available Sensor
Blocked See Manual
AdvanceTrac ™ Action
Message
The system detects a malfunction due to a blocked sensor.
Service AdvanceTrac
The driver has disabled or enabled the traction control.
AdvanceTrac Off On
Alarm Action
Message
Unauthorized entry triggered the alarm. See
Anti-Theft
Alarm (page 75).
Vehicle Alarm To Stop
Alarm, Start Vehicle
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It has
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the rear wheels before
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not
present, the system is continuously making
adjustments to the torque distribution, in
an attempt to improve straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on every
time you switch the ignition on.
If any component requires maintenance,
a message appears in the information
display.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher
center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently
than vehicles with a lower center of gravity.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are
not designed for cornering at speeds as
high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive
speed and abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.
The intelligent 4WD system continuously
monitors vehicle conditions and
automatically adjusts the power
distribution between the front and rear
wheels. It combines transparent
all-surface operation with highly capable
four-wheel drive. The 4WD system is always active and
requires no driver input. It is capable of
handling all road conditions, including
street and highway driving as well as
off-road and winter driving. The driver can
optimize more 4WD control by moving the
terrain management switch for the correct
terrain. See Using Terrain Control (page
202
).
Note: A warning message will be displayed
in the information display when an 4WD
system fault is present
See Information
Messages (page 119). An 4WD system fault
will cause the 4WD system to default to
front-wheel drive only mode. When this
warning message is displayed, have your
vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer
Note: A warning message will be displayed
in the information display if the 4WD system
has overheated
See Information
Messages (page 119). This condition may
occur if the vehicle was operated in extreme
conditions with excessive wheel slip, such
as deep sand. To resume normal 4WD
function as soon as possible, stop the
vehicle in a safe location and stop the
engine for at least 10 minutes. After the
engine has been restarted and the 4WD
system has adequately cooled, the warning
message will turn off and normal 4WD
function will return.
Do not use a spare tire of a different size
other than the tire provided. If the
mini-spare tire is installed, the 4WD system
may disable automatically and enter
front-wheel drive only mode to protect
driveline components. This condition will
be indicated by a warning in the
information display
See Information
Messages (page 119). If there is a warning
message in the information display from
using the spare tire, this indicator should
turn off after reinstalling the repaired or
replaced normal road tire and cycling the
ignition off and on. It is recommended to
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reinstall the repaired or replaced road tire
as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire
sizes between the front and rear axles
could cause the 4WD system to stop
functioning and default to front-wheel
drive or damage the 4WD system.
How Your Vehicle Differs From
Other Vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from
some other vehicles. Your vehicle may be
higher to allow it to travel over rough
terrain without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so
versatile also make it handle differently
than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all
times, especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can result in
abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from the
outside. Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage
from concealed objects such as rocks and
stumps.
You should either know the terrain or
examine maps of the area before driving.
Map out your route before driving in the
area. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all
four wheels on the ground and they must
be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Driving In Special Conditions With
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Note:
4WD vehicles are equipped for driving
on sand, snow, mud and rough roads and
have operating characteristics that are
somewhat different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the highway. Basic operating principles in special
conditions
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving on
pavement made slippery by loose sand,
water, gravel, snow or ice.
If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the
Pavement
• If your vehicle goes off the edge of the
pavement, slow down, but avoid severe
brake application, ease the vehicle
back onto the pavement only after
reducing your speed. Do not turn the
steering wheel too sharply while
returning to the road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or
shoulder of the road and slow down
gradually before returning to the
pavement. You may lose control if you
do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike small
objects, such as highway reflectors,
with minor damage to your vehicle
rather than attempt a sudden return to
the pavement which could cause the
vehicle to slide sideways out of control
or rollover. Remember, your safety and
the safety of others should be your
primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNING: Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure the transmission
is in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the lock
position or turn the vehicle off using the
start/stop button and remove the key
whenever you leave your vehicle.
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Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly
while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction
in slick mud. As when you are driving over
sand, apply the accelerator slowly and
avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle
does slide, steer in the direction of the slide
until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly
” is an educational program
designed to increase public awareness of
land-use regulations and responsibilities
in our nations wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and
the Bureau of Land Management in
encouraging you to help preserve our
national forest and other public and private
lands by “treading lightly. ”
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note: Avoid driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing
traction, slipping sideways and possibly
rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill,
determine beforehand the route you will
use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill
without seeing what conditions are on the
other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer. Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should always
try to drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turn around
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
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. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”
the brakes.
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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.
Note: Excessive tire slippage can cause
driveline damage.
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 an
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.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do not
“pump ” the brakes. See Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes
(page 197). Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, Ford
Motor Company strongly recommends that
you do not make modifications such as
adding or removing parts (such as lowering
kits or stabilizer bars) or by using
replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise
the center of gravity can make it more likely
the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss
of control. Ford Motor Company
recommends that caution be used with
any vehicle equipped with a high load or
device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly
may void the warranty, increase your repair
cost, reduce vehicle performance and
operational capabilities and adversely
affect driver and passenger safety.
Frequent inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to off-highway usage.
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